The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-21
Or. HoGE,s PAsTORATE.
The Congregation VIII Celebrate the
Fcrty-afth Anniversary, February -.


There is a church In this city that has
never had but one pastor, and yet II has
been standing for more than lour ue-
cades. such n the popularity Of the dis
fin0uisned divine. who has mlnistered 10
the wants Of the congregation for all these
years. that his name has absorbed that by
wbfch the church is designated, on The re-
cords Of the Prcsbytery, that Is, so far as
Richmond people are concerned. and u Is
known as "Dr. HOgc's Church. instead OF
the second Presbyterian.
I'm 1872 Rev. Dr. Moses u. H0ge, then
quite a Young man, left the Presbyterian
church over which the brilliant DR.. II. :.
Plummer then presided. and in which Rev.
Mr.. HOge was assistant, and established
chanel on the site now occupied by the Sec
ond Presbyterian Church. The building Sc
lecied was "a small brick structure in the
shape Of q parallel0gram, and had formerly
served the purpose Of a schOOl-house.
Nearly thirty members OF Or. Plummcrs
church followed the brilliant young preacher
10 his new field. whittier he was attended
by the feryent prayers Of the giited Dr.
Plummer Astime wanod the church pros
pcred. and DIR. HOge's fame increased. In
due course the church was enlarged, ana
when the civil war broke out, hourishing
and happy congregation worshipped there
struggle Dr. iOge held regular service IN
the church. and many ieryent prayers went
from its sacred precints 10 heaven, inyok-
ing the mercy and blessings Of God ON the
people Of the south. During the war Dr.
HOge ran the blockade for the purpose OF
obtaining Bibles for the COniederacy, but
Federal authorities were wrongly informed
bv UNDERGROUND letters that his prime
object in going % England was 10 in
woke aid for The COnfederacy from the
British Government. This incensed Federal
authority against Or. Ii0ge, and when Cen
eral Lee evacuated Richmond April 3D.
1865. DIR. IIoge left Richmond with the Con-
foderate forces. Perhaps the history Of .he
letters which were written % Northern
officials by a woman who lived in and near
Richmond. informing the Federal Govern
mcnt of the alleged movements abroad OF
DR.. IlOgc. will never see the light that
printing will give IL. but a thrilling story
could De woven from them, if the task were
ever undertaken.
After the storm Of war was over, DIR. Hoge
resumed his pulpit. and the old church was
again remOdeled and assumed its present
shape. that of a Maltese cross. This work
was done By Mcssrs. George and John CID
son, and papers showing the history OF the
the church were placed in hollow column
ON lllt Il-ui manu- Niut Nl TIC iHihNNN tfi'4N
4 part of the original brick school house
can now be seem i'm the rear Of the church,
but Onlya small portion Of 10. The building
rs spacious and attractive tOa great degree
ON the inside. The arrangement OF peWs Is
admirable. and the acoustics are so good
that the voice Of the minister is distinctly
audible in every part Of the house. There Is
one pew-hOldcr that has continuously Occu-
pied his pew and promptly paid his pew
rent since June 1852 Mr.. George Gibson.
! living, is one Of the original members who
came with DR.. HOge from Dr. Plummer
church. and is the Oldest pew holder in the
church.
As a testimonial of the affection his flock
/ feels for him. and i'm view Of the long and
unbr0ken service he has rendered as a faith
| ml minister. the congregation have deter
mined % celebrate on the 9th day of FEB
ruary next, the forty-fiith anniversary of
/ Or. llOge's pasiOraie work. There VIII Doe
no lack of much that will be pleasing
and instructive i'm these ceremonies. Rev
DR.. Hail. Of New York, Rev. Drs Palmer
and st0rrs. of Brooklyn, and eminent
diyines from other places Will Do
present and take part I'm the proceed
/ ings. 10 has not been as yet def
nitelv determined whether the ceremOnle,
| will be held i'm the church or in hall, but
most probably the church, but out of Oh,
| great number who will be present there Will
/ be but few who worshipped with the pastor
/ i0rty-hye years ago.