Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-24
Some "reminiscences by Judge Parfar
Of Dr.. HOse'S Early Life.
FInsE HONOR IN HIS CLASS.
As student. Preacher, and Orator He
Always ExceiIed-some of His No.
table Sermons and Public Ad-
are,.e,-Eycr the Soldiers Friend.

my tribute Oh IeSpeSl anu "iANN' 49,
your permission. 1 will give a few re-
niniscences Of DR.. Hoge. / have known
him for more than half century. i cam
not now recall the exact year / first met
him. I attended the commencement at
Hampden-Sydney when he graduated.
Mr.. william Maxwell was then the presi-
dent OF the institutional man Of fine at
talnments, an ornate and finished speak
er. Among the classmates OF DIR. hoSe
we're Colonel Charles $. Darlington.
whoe-souled. splendid man; Judge F. u.
Irving. who the lawyers called tine
grand old man; Or. William T. Richard-
son, the accomplished editor OF the Cen
trail Presbyterian, and DR.. r. l.. Dabney.
one Of the profoundest thinkers oil inc
day.
Among the list Of distinguished men
DR.. Hoge woL the first honor, ana was
the yaledictOrian. While at college ne
gained a widespread reputation as an ora
tor. / have often heard the members Oh
his society say that his speeches In ue-
bate were brilliant and powerful. "A great
crowd was at the commencement 10 near
the youthful orator. My father ana
mother carried me with them; | was
mere boy, possibly not over 10 years Oh
age. The president OF the college intro
duced the speaker. He was n tail youth'
1.-The and graceful in every movement.
His cheeks were pale and colorless. There
was some nervousness In MS manner.
| was too young to understand al tnat
he said but there vas something IN nus
parting words that impressed mems
tone. his look, the melting cadence OF MS
voice. / gazed up in my mothers race;
her eyes were filled with tears. | pressed
closer TO her side, and wept pitteriy'
From college DIR. Hoge went at once 10
the Union Seminary. When i next saw
him ne preached at old Prides church, in
Amelia. The church was nothing more
than barn, without ceiling or plaster
ing. I recall this incident: My father
with others, went UP TO the church 10
arrange il for the Sunday service. Ihere
were some timber sleepers that lay right
over the pulpit. Dol. Motley, a college
mate Of Dr. Hoge. was present, ana he
said. Look here. II Hoge gets on one OF
his big flights he will knock that sleeper
through the top OF the house" The TIM
Der was cut out On Sunday great
crowd assembled 10 hear the young
preacher He announced his text cls-
tinctly and with perfect cOmposure, And
as he reasoned Of righteousness, temper
ance and judgment TO come, Felix
trembled and answered, go thy way Tor
this time: when have convenient sea-
son | will call for thee" In moment
every eve was fixed. deathlike silence
spread over the waiting congregation. the
country folks Cazed on him with absolute
amazement. he rose higher and higher
with his theme. swaying his hearers AT
will.
Old Or. Southall. a man distinguished
FOR his literary attainments. said IT was
the finest specimen OF pulpit oratory he
had ever heard. Even In that first SER
mon that | heard. DR.. Hoge exhibited that
matchless power OF eloquence which has
made him famous. He caught the key
note:
Power. above powers. ON Heavenly eio-
quence;
That with strong run OF commanding
words
Dost manage. guide, and master the high
eminence Of mems affections"
While | was at the University OF Nir-
ginia Dr. HOge was invited to preach.
1 wrote him private letter, asking him
10 give the same sermon that | had heard
him preach years before In Amelia He
did so. The literati OF the grand old in
stitutiOn were as much enthused over il
heard him in the old Stub church in
Amelia.
remember another sermon that I
heard many years ago. ! can't tell how
long on "A stormy afternoon / attended
the Second Presbyterian church IA Rich
mond. 1t was the last Of the year. DR..
Hoge announced his text. I'VE spend our
years as a tale that is told"
1. - l.. h.. ar
some special Inspiration. 1t combined
wealth OF sentiment an unction of grace
and tenderness. that still linger in my
memory. | shall now briefly allude TO
some of the platform efforts Of Dr. Hogc
at which | was present. At the COM
mencement at Washington and Lee Uni
versity Il think In 1860 he was the orator
of the occasion. Ii was a memorable
event, being the first time that General
Lee had presided With matchless grace
and dignity he introduced the speaker
vast audience Of representative people
from all parts of the country was pres
enc DR.. Hoge was in splendid form, ana
for more than an hour he held the great
assembly spellbound with the witchery or
his matchless power. i was reporting for
one OF the Richmond papers many papers
were representedl. and | followed the
gave up the undertaking. l looked around
me: the other reporters had dropped their
pencils. said to one OF them: why don't
you report the speech?" He replied: Il
can't report the surging Of a mountain
torrent"
One OF the most attractive efforts of
Dr. Hoge was in 1876. al the centennial
celebration of Hampden-Sydney. He was
on his old tramping-ground. amid the
friends of his bOyhoOd. He gave the re-
miniscences Of the old college. The ad-
dress was intensely Interesting. sparkling
glowing. and facetious. He related great
many amusing things. In speaking or the
changes he told how old Mr.. Richie, OF
the Enquirer. had announced in his paper
rs a startling piece Of news that a steam
boat was approaching Richmond at
wonderful rate of speed-seven miles an
hour, up stream. He said in old times
when the General Assembly Of the Church
met In Philadelphia. DR. Alexander was
always sent as a delegate from his pres
bytery because he was the only member
OF tho body who knew the way.
The unwilling Of the stonewall Jackson
monument in Richmond was an occasion
that gave 10 DR.. Hoge the opportunity OF
his life. 1t was a grand ana lnpOSihS
scene a great assembly Of brave men
and fair women gathered around the pc
destal. In the full blaze OF the midday
sun the orator faced the surging multi
tude. with the touch OF master hand
he outlined the wonderful achievements
OF the great commander that had filed the
world with admiration. Portraying the
characteristics of the unique life OF the
Christian hero. in closing the faithful pic
ture. / thought / could see the dying sol
der as he looked beyond the dark. chill
flood TO his home and rest in the peaceful
land.
"Over the river. now n heavenly guest,
Under the shade OF the trees forever az
rest"
Fresh in the memory OF US all Is DR..
Hoge's address at the Second church in
Richmond on the occasion OF the renter
meut of the remains OF Jefferson Davis.
With an abiding conviction Of the Justice
OF our cause. and an intense admirut ton
for the heroic devotion OF Mr.. Davis. he
spoke in no uncertain tone; yet the ad-
dress was characterized by such perfect
taste. glowing with such lofty sentiments
of patriotism. that l never heard OF an
adverse criticism, even from the bitterest
enemies OF our Chief Executive. This
brings me 10 this idea about Dr. Hoge:
That the great secret os hts popularity at
home and abroad is his absolute sense OF