Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-06
AS A PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER.
DIR. Kerr Tells of Prominent Place
DR.. Houe Held I'm His Denomination

m Kcrr Tells OF Prominent Place
pr. Houe Held I'm His Denomination.
experience a mournful pleasure In
complying with the request or the DIS
patch that write a brief tribute TO the
memory of DIR. Hoge as a minister OF the
Presbyterian Church. There are many
reasons of a personal nature. growing
out of my close relations with him Tor the
fifteen years of my residence In Ricn-
mond, which constrain me, with anec-
ton and gratitude, 10 pen the following
inadequate sentences:
From my earliest recollection Or.
Hoge has been the one OF all our minis
tiers who most frequently, and al
ways with honor to himself and his
denomination, represented the Pres
byterian Church In great ecclesias-
teal assemblies OF Christians in America
and Europe. BY reason OF his breadth OF
sympathy. his wide acquaintance with
public men. and his splendid ability as
an orator. there was no man OF his time
who could, with more propriety, grace,
and impressiyeness rise TO an occasion.
He always challenged first the attention,
and then the confidence and admiration
Of his audience, whether In an American
city or beyond the sea. We have lost the
man who most represented the Southern
Presbyterian Church TO the Christian
Church at large. and 10 the world; the
man Of whom, whenever he appeared IN
the arena of a national or international
assembly, we were always proud.
In our own church courts Dir. Hoge had
little interest. and took small part In the
details of ecclesiastical procedure. He
was not given to much speaking, but only
on occasions OF Importance did he take
the floor When he did, 10 was with
gentlA and easy grace, coupled with mas
terlv eloquence. and always on broad
lines. and for peaceful measures. He was
never polemical. always irenic ProbaOiy
there Is no living man whose feelings Dr.
Hoge ever wounded I'm the least degree in
debate His courtesy was a principle ana
an instinct
HIS PULPIT CHARACTERISTICS
AS 10 DR.. Hoge's pulpit characteristics,
these are well known in most cities OF
the Englsh-speaking world. Partly from
his natural endOwments, and partly from
his wide studies and careful preparation
for preaching, he spoke with an exquisite
grace Of thought diction, and manner
that caused him to be regarded as
model sacred orator. There was IN MS
STYLE n charm, a fascination, difficult 10
one who heard him could help listening
and was bound to acknowledge that the
sneaker felt every word he uttered. lie
was an evangelical of evangelcals, anu
held unwayeringly to the ume-nonoreu
docty+nes of the Church. He espoused no
novelties in theology. but piedcueu
christ and Him crucified, revealed py IN
faIlihle Scriptures. as the only nope Oh
sinful men. and the sufficient Gospei io'
a lost and ruined world. IL. d,
Few men have had 50 great sIlI ~
the afflicted, both py pun
and urivate mnistrations, ana from tIIo
faces of hundreds who weep loi mn 49,,
has he often wiped away the pi''ei0'
tors in time Of sore bereavement
In nublic prayer he was recognized as
q model Almost any one OF his eXtempo-
raneous prayers was worthy Oh peins
kept FOR permanent liturgicai use re
voiced the aspirations OF those Whoih nc
Iod AZ the throne Of grace, saying WHAT
rev felt but knew not how 70 express,
in such a way as 70 kindle and intensity
devotlon. and TO infuse calm ana peace
ful resting at the feet Of the great hlsh
Priest Of our profession.
When ne read a hymn, he mace u &c,
mon. a prayer, and vehicle OF prIlse. ~
q, safo 10 say no man could do 1t better
=, -. 90, thought and shade of thought were
i,',errretsd bv the silver voice. and the
49,, 49, nat RESPONDED to each holy Impulse
of the sacred lyric.
Tp17E BEAUTIFUL AND GOOD.
CO one might 20 on at any length 10
sreak ~ the power Of this remarkaplo
,,,an in his chosen sphere, and In MS own
and only pulpit which he illuminated lOr
6ctv-three wears, which was the FOCUS,
and object of all his study-the throne
tom which his influence went iorth lar
"a wide His whole life and Work stoou
os nrotest against what was not tuo'
hsautif,u and good, and were an inspita-
,tor "a everything that looked towarus
The advancement OF the best interests
~ men. and the glory Of the Coo Whon
he faithfully served. ..s go
IL the subject assigned perhit.9u nn0
70 write OF DR.. Hoge as geh'leril"'
a citizen. and a friend Woulu spehn - y,
rim as one who constituted the radlah'
cantre of any circle in which he appear
"a az a man ready TO serve IN an
ororer vays the community that AWAY
deIighted TO honor him, and as one VIM
under no circumstances, would ran 10 tan'
the mart of those who enjoyed the ptiFi
Iega Of his regard. The princiRes ina
underlav his character as gentleman
!, citizen and a friend were ndellty t'
,Yu,b and a generosity that knew NJ
hounds. Now that he IS gone, all mus
feel that a personality OF the frst mag
nitude IS removed from the Church' us
city. and the State, and thousands w
rise I'D to call him blessed, and l. WIN
hand trembling from sorrow, peg 10 iol
This humble tribute along with those o.
many others beside the pier Vi my 81"
and noble friend -, ,,r,,,,