Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-07
THOSE WHO LABORED WITH HIM.
Tributes to DIR. Hogc from Some of
Our Leading Ministers.

Our Leading Ministers.
In the hurry Of going to press prompt
" Friday morning In order that the Dis
patch might reach its out-of-town as well
as city subscribers at the usual hour, II
was necessary TO omit n number Of the
tributes from prominent ministers to the
memory of Rev Or. IIoge though they
were already in type. These are publish
ed below:
Rev. DR.. William T. Hatcher. for near
" n quarter of a century pastor Of Grace
street BAPTIST church. Of this city; Rev.
DR.. Hartley Carmichael. rector Of St.
Pauls Episcopal church; Rev. DIT. L. y.
CalisCh, rabbi Of Beth Ahaba congrega-
best-known Methodist ministers i'm Viz
einia: Rev. Or. W. w. Moore. Of Union
Theological Seminary and Rev. Paul J..
Mcneil. pastor Of 81. Johns German Lu-
theran church. all pay their tributes Of
admiration and love. The letters of Drs.
Carmichael and Mcneil, neither Of whom
is now In the United States, were written
last surFner, while DIR. Hoge was so in
at the White Sulphur Springs
\ Critical Character study.
For nearly sixty years DR.. Hoge was a
notable figure in the life of Richmond and
for Il third Of a century was easily the
chief citizen Of the city No rival ap-
peared TO contest his pre-eminence. Du-
ring brief seasons of official elevation
some were more conspicuous. but not so
universally revered. Now and then some
man. by noisy and obtrusve perform
ances, seemed TO monopOlize public admi-
ration. but they touched not the fringe Of
DR.. Hoges garment. Not less does the
meteor disturb the fixed star than did
these fleeting sensations affect the rank
and glory Of DR.. Hoge In his lofty ana
majestic career he moved forward IN his
duties, scarcely pausing 10 mark the com
ing or the going Of those creatures OF
day. His bow ever abode I'm strength, and
he steadily climbed until ne outwent the
earth and found himself in Heaven.
The world is prone to resent the pres
ence OF genius or honor. Mediocrity Is
not always amiable towards greatness.
Dr. Hoge was wonderfully gracious, and
did much TO disarm prejudice. but he
could not entirely escape the shafts OF the
critic. But it may be truly said that his
detractors were like unskilled travellers,
who. beholding the King Of the Mountains
through the pure air of Switzerland. fancy
that they can touch his feet with their
stocks. when. in fact, he is miles away.
Dr. Hoge was a small figure only to those
who viewed him from afar. lie was too
uniform. too free from anguarities, 100
averse to giving violent surprises, TO win
the admiration OF those whose only
strong gift was an envious hatred OF their
superiors. He was not simply great on
occasions. but occasions often showed his
greatness to advantage. He had an every
dav greatness. and was common i'm no.
thing.
Richmond was Or. Hoge's kingdom. Not
that he was provincial; far from that. lie
was master everywhere. and was ac-
corded a seat with the highest. But he
loved Richmond best. He was strangely
dependent on sympathetic environment.
lie could enter London or Chicago ana by
his imperial elOquence move great assem-
blies: but his home was not there. lie
wearied Of the mad crowds and signed Tor
the air Of his own city. Nor did he love
I'm vain. No minister. perhaps no man.
was so loved in this city as ne was.
Richmond admired his stately form.
watched his journeys. hailed his returns
reioiced i'm his triumphs, smiled upon him
whenever he appeared i'm the streets. and
always delighted to give him the place
of honor Dr. Hoge never could have at
tained his distinctions without the In
spring affections of Richmond or with
ont that refined and changeless devotion
bestowed upon him by his matchiesS
church.
1t was sometimes intmated that Dr.
Hoee was too self-communicatve but
this came from those who could not est
mate the intense force OF his personality.
There was so much in him that he over
flowed. and yet he was never able 10 re-
veal himself to an extent that satisfied
the popular demand. lie was, in dis
tinquishing sense. the prophet and leader
If richmond. All classes and creeds fol-
lowed and watched him. Richmond was
his home. the people his children, and he
the kind. benignant father. II is "a crime
TO condem man for being free and con-
fiding with his family.
In the art OF living DR.. Hoge was
master. Self-conquered, he was himself
uncomfortable 1t looked as If he had
long ago won final victories over the COM
mon temptations of life. He kept the
commandments OF nature and revelation,