Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-06

to Ohio. He was a man of such studi-
Gus habits, of such cOnciliating manners.
and ability as a preacher and a college
professor, that he would have attained
great distinction but for his death at
80 years of age. After his death all of
his family returned TO the South.
On the maternal side DIR. Hoge was
descended from the Lacy family, which
emigrated from England to Virginia in
early Colonial times. His grandfather
was the Rev. Drury Lacy, ID. D., presi-
dent of Hampden-Sdney College. a min
lister of great eminence and worth. Two
of his sons became ministers-the Rev.
William s. Lacy, of Louisiana, and Rev.
Drury Lacy ID. D., formerly president
of Davidson College, and late of Raleigh,
y. C.. Many Of the descendants of both
DR.. Hoge and Dir. Lacy also entered the
Office of the ministry. on both sides
therefore, DR.. Hoge was emphatically Of
the tribe Of Levi.
Or. Hoge was educated at Hampden-
Sidney College. When he graduated there
Mr. William Maxwell whose widow died
here a few weeks ago, was the president
of the institution, and he was q man or
fine attachments, and an ornate and fin
ished speaker. Among his classmates were
Colonel Charles $. CarringtoE, a whole
SOUiCu, SDleullQ man. JhuSt T. H. iiNlHSf
whom the lawyers called the Grand old
man; DR. William Il. Richardson, after
wards editor Of the Central Pres
byterian. and Dr. r. l.. Dabney. one OF
the profoundest thinkers OF the day.
out Of all these distinguished men Dr.
Hoge won the first honor. and was the
valedictorian. While at college he gain
ed a widespread reputation as an orator.
Members Of his society used to say that
his speeches i'm debate were brilliant and
powerful.
BEGAN HIS MINISTRY HERE.
From college Or. Hoge went at once
TO the Union Theological Seminary. and
he came direct 10 Richmond after his or
dination as the assistant Of Or. Plum
mer. pastor of the First Presbyterian
church. In this capacity his pastoral
work had special reference to the supply
Of a mission chapel. His success in
gathering worshippers there opened the
way for organizing the Second Presby-
terrain church. lie was naturally called
to be its pastor and was duly installed.
This is the only pastorate that he
ever had, although tempting and pressing
calls time and again came from
great cities North and South. Invita-
tions 10 the presidency Of Hampden-sid-
ncy College ana OlHrT literary hSAibu-
tons: TO become a pastor in Lexington,
Va; ST. Louis, Brooklyn. New York,
Nashville Philadelphia New Orleans,
Charleston, and elsewhere never tempted
him from the field of his first labors.
WHY He CAME HERE.
The circumstances under which DR..
Hoge came TO Richmond are extremely
interesting. AS he drew near the end Of
his course in the Theological Seminary.
a little church in Mecklenburg county
sgniied its wish to engage him as It's
pastor as soon as he obtained his license.
About that time, however, DR.. Plummor
visited Prince Edward. and told DR.. Hose
that he would probably be invited 10 Rich
mOnd to become assistant at the First
Presbyterian church. Dr. Hoge said that
he would prefer a small country charge
at least until he gained some experience,
and had composed some sermons. Or.
Plummer requested meeting of the fac
ulty OF the Theological Seminary, ex-
planned his wishes 10 the members, and
sent for Dr. Hoge. They united in adj
vising him TO come TO Richmond IL he re-
ceived an invitation. There was an
other small church In another county 70
which Dr. Hoge had been recommended
but an influential elder opposed the call
ON the ground that he did not think the
Young minister qualified for the position
LICENSED TO PREACH.
DR.. Hoge was licensed TO preach at a
meeting OF the presbytery IN Lynchburg
! The circumstances were without any