The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-17
THE NIGHT SESSION.
Rev. DIR. Hoge, of Richmond, breaches nm
Eloquent Sermon.


Eloquent Sermon
Before 100 o'clock last NIGHT tho
First Presbyterian church was packed
with people to hear Rev. DR. .Hogc. 1t
was an appreciative audience, and was
composed of the best people of Roanoke.
1t was estimated that fully 900 people
sat and stood together.
Tho audience was first struck with
the manner OF this celebrated preacher.
When he gave the hymn there was
something impressive that bespoke more
than an ordinary man.
Ills text was, go stand in the tom
pie and speak to the people on tho
words of this life," Acts 5th chauter
and 10th verse. 1.-The reasons WHY Go d
told His apostles to go and stand in the
temple was not because of its magnifi-
cence, nor its grandeur, because it was
the resort OF tho people, and the right
place for the apostles to preach, and
tho people to congregate and hear the
word.
This is short text and yot there is
something wonderful in it. Words of
this life! Life has different meaning,
but what are the meaning of words of
this life?'
The doctor then explained the differ
ence between words shat were spoken
and those that were written.
"This would be silent world with
out words. II man had been deprived
OF language he would never have known
his consciousness We have some little
ldoa which daily use makes familiar.
All intercourses depend upon words.
All transactions between governments.
all diplomatic treaties, all commercial
transactions would stand still without
this communication between man and
man.
They have triumphed over space,
when telegram Is sent to the remotest
parts of the world, and men separated
by seas hold converse with each other,
ana feel their inspirations move as
each others thoughts are revealed.
They have triumphed over time.
words With men who lived 1000 wears
ago, and their thoughts are re.
vealed and bring inspirations fresh to
our feelings and tho awful silence. OF
the past is broken and transmitted
down to the people of to-day"
Speaking OF the difficulties under
which the apostles laborod when they
preached the word, DR.. IIoge gave a
pathetic picture of their trials and how
they grandly triumphed over all diff
culties. still preaching the word of God
to believing and unbelieviug men.
ii spoke of Stepher, the Martyr, and
how he fell bleeding and dying with his
face on Heaven. 1t was then that he
beheld God in his glory, and saw his
divine mercy revealed to those who
preached without fear his word among
men. 1t was then that the Martyr
could say Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"
lie then told of the preaching of Paul,
and the mighty power OF his words.
1t was he who know how tho word
would be received by tho people OF that
day. 1t was to tho Greeks foolishness;
to the Jews stumbling block, but to
the Gentiles it meant salvation.
DR.. Hoge applied his text to the
preaching of the word to-day and how il
should be received by the congregations
in the pastors care. The work was laid
down by Christ, and His com nand was
that it should DO preached until lie could
sway his scepter over the entire world.
1T is to you that the work is left
With you it must remain, complete or
incomplete. till Christ shall come in His
glory TO reward the labors Of his SER
wants Ages have rolled by with eternal
majesty, and words, though changed.
are spoken still, and will BIO till Tins
shall cease to be-"