The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-27

Having no precedent and being without
comparison there Is no point upon
which the mind may hX for a comprehen-
sivc description Of the semi-centennaI
ccl.hr,.iou Of Dr. HOge's Tastorate
y,b,.b commenced 40 the Masonic Temple
,.,stcrI9, .,..,rnoou. TWO hours were al
I,,fed for The reception. The programme
said ,rom IS to 10. bat Dir. Hoge was ef-
gagged without intcrmission until nearly
midnight .r llud-shakings and recoiyinf
tbc kind words OF thousands OF MS
friends. ..,
and "a half hour later only the most care
tul IoIire regulations and the constant
MOVING ~ tine crowd pretcut,d a. disas-
fIou- crush Time and again the PrdhH
uo,lg4 room was Cougcstc1 Wlth the
crowd and the door of entrance hdd 10
bc closed until the natural rcEei Oh DE-
parting callers once more made room lot
new ones
The great bauquct-hall was fun. the
gallery crowded. the promenade occupied
and the largest crowd mat ever crossed
tbe threshold OF the Masonic Temple
filled IT'S every available space. AT umeS
the crowd on IA, outside reached 10 'he
corner OF the square and extended across
me ,dr-tracks in the street
IMPOSSIBLE TO NUMBER.
IL would boz futile to attempt to estimate
the number of people. They came and
went for hours. and the throng grew
larger a. the evening advanced.
T.n. hftecu and twenty thousand were
named as tEc figures, but 10 one viii
ever know how many of Richmonds ciu-
zeus embraced This golden opportunity To
nav their respects 20 this remarkable and
honored man of God.
n was the most remarkable demonsiIa-
tIou Of love and respect FOR a single man
by "a whole community that has ever oc-
CURED in Richmond and the occasion
partook more OF the character OF am oVa-
lion 10 "a great military hero than simple
houors 90 man OF peace.
Dr Hoce mtrngly and cordially greet
al every one who approached with "A
handshakc. and at the end of three hours
his greetings for the late corners were as
hearty as az the beginning. All Folunta-
rily pronounced it grand occasion, and
81 will long stand as the most memorable
event a purely social character that
ever took place In the old Commonwealth.
rHe B.SQUrt.
The private banquet 20 Dr. Hoge and
his parti.ular friends was AS beautiful as
aU tl.. eI,gau.c Of refined taste and UNI
stiuted adornmcnts could make II. The
menu was perfect and comprised the
cream OF every available market. No
dinner. perhaps. ever planned I'm ken
moul combined $50 much OF the taste oI
rhc refined housekcepers of The city than
did This delightful little feast inspired
by love and pride just as tender.
Two of tho well arranged private din
ing parlors adjoining the grand banquet
hail were devoted TO this purpose. In
.h, first was located the main table, and
iu The second We're arranged with the
dainticst taste "a dozen or NOR" tete-a-tete
dininl tables. spotless and beautifully iur-
nishtd.
The rooms were decorated with cXluis-
itc taste everything being i'm yellow
and gold. The haugings consisted of lace
curtains and silkalinc drapcrICs. The
table was loaded with the choicest double
ionquus. maricolls. Violet9 and hyacinths.
I'm vases OF the rarcst ware. The cam
delabra were all silt. and Tanv of Them
are connected with the history OF the
Oldest families IN tho lana. Gold but
ternics were pstefuly scattered about
The cloth and NiandS. y cake with nifty
snowy candles mounted on ITS top was
pretty emblem of the seml-centeunlal pas
toratc OF the beloved pastor. The floral
decorations were superb, and every florist
in the city We'd among themselves in
this free VIII tribute TO Dr. Hoee cele-
prat-3u.
over the broad doorway between the two
rooms Wds am arrangement Of yellow silk
strcamcrs. bearing I'm raised gold letters
the figures "lSii-lS5" and the words.
"Blcst hc the tic that binds. Hang
inc under this was "a huge ball formed of
double iouquhs, made hy Mrs. Henry
Valentine.
IN thc banquet room. occupying place
on tho side was q large golden morn
- ,.l.f.t.. frrufe iuutulO.~lX rpurp-
s,nt,d hy the yellow flowers which APP
I arCI every where.
Nearly AN Of the materials comprising
this elegant collation. were PREPARED N
Richmond homes and the results We're
simply superb. The bgtlcrs OF private
families IN Dr. Hoges congregation act
"a rs walters They were in iull dress.
with the cmhcn.atlc flower at the button
hole. and none took more pride In the
part they performed in honor Of the
celebrated divine than they. Dr.. Hosr's
butler held the place of honor as chief
pu. HoG" EIyrs
AZ half-past = o'clock Dr. Hoge arrived
with his invited guests. The dinner was
OF private character. and neither lis
Of the guests or the sentiments expressed
are likely 90 reach public print The en-
tire Richmond clergy were invited. ana
many We're present Most all the other
guests came from distance Mr. George
Gibson was the only person invited fror
pr Hoge's OWE congregation. lie IS q
deacon in the church. and the one male
member who belonged TO the church whs
Or Hoec was Installed as pastor nifty
years agO.
MIR. Gibson dearly loves his pastor. and
his appreciation OF the honor rs said 10
have been very touching.
Among the specially invited present
were: Governor and Mrs O'Ferran: Rev.
Peyton Hoge and wife. Of Wilmington.
X C.: Rev William $. Lacy and wife, of
Norfolk; Sir. Alex. Lacy. OF Georgetown,
n G.: Mrs Charles Rous OF Baltimore;
Ms. Beverly $. Scott OF Ewell. Va: COL
oncl Richard Lathers. OF New York Col
oneI l.. 4. Fitzgerald OF Farmvile. Rev
Iohn Rosebro and wife OF Petersburg;
Mir. l.. j. CONN, Hoge Academy; II. r.
ZONES. Nottoway county Va; Colonel
Lawrence Marye. Lynchburg. Va. Rev.
a. ~. Finley, Fishersyille. Va. and others
The great banquet. where was served
refreshments to Thousands while the re-