New-York tribune., 1913-11-10
R. c. OGDEN EXTOLLED
AT MEMORIAL SERVICE
Ex.President Taft and Job &.
Hedges Pay Tribute to
Late Merchant.
HIS PHILANTHROPY PUREST
Life Devoted to Affording OPP
portunity for Self Help to
Unfortunate Race, Says
Nations Former Head.

A service I'm memory of Robert c. o.
Den. at which ex-President William II.
Taft and Job f. Hedges spoke. was held
yesterday afternoon at the First Presby-
terian Church, Henry and Clark streets,
Brooklyn The recognition Of Mr.. Og-
denis services to the Church, the COM
munity and the country was made In that
church because for twenty-one years he
was a member OF 1t and for thirteen
years a deacon.
The Rev. DR.. L. Mason Clarke, pastor
OF the church, arranged a special musical
programme Professor Taft was asked TO
speak because Of his association with
Mr.. Ogden as trustee of the Hampton
Va) Institute, and Job +. Hedges be-
cause OF his many years of business rela-
tions with the merchant and pbilanthro-
pist.
"One of the great conserving and con-
servative factors In making clear the
mistakes of misdirected enthusiasm and
mitigating their possible danger" said
Mr.. Taft, "is the influence and example
Of man like Robert G. Ogden, whose
life had been devoted to the cause Of the
purest philanthropy, who did everything
he could to accomplish the high ultimate
purpose that he had in mind to furnish
opportunity TO an unfortunate race and
n retarded section OF our country for self
help.
He brought to the task business
genius. a calm and quiet persistence OF
purpose, clear judgment, Christian
character OF serene purity, and an utter
lack Of self-exploitation.
Certainly. no feature of Mr.. Ogden's
activities better deserves recalling and
emphasis than what he did for Hampton
Institute. He did II because he knew
that Hampton was the mother Of tile
movement for the vocational betterment
of society. white and black, throughout
the country. There was the beginning Of
the plan 10 prepare men and women in
their youth to do well the work they are
to do I'm life. to ht them TO get as much
for themselves and for society out OF
their labor as the Intelligent training OF
hands and faculties by actual trial Will
secure.
IL regret TO say that IT is In evidence
that in all the enormous sums given for
philanthropy. In which we greatly re-
joice. there has been >Some lack Of clear
perception by donors OF the very great
part that Hampton Institute has played
In the saving of an unfortunate race and
In the furnishing OF an opportunity for
its sclf-elevaton.
"In season and out of season Mr.. Og-
den aided in securing the needed financial
4. h. hnr1ap hp
ried. and had that kind OF deep but In
telligent sympathy that helps in great
struggle.
Mr.. Ogden's sense OF duty as citizen
was not in the slightest degree dimmed
or made less strong because he had also
a wider sympathy for mankind; but
there were united in him an energy and
a knowledge Of how 10 do things, with n
sweet reasonabeness, an elevated en-
thuslasm and sane courage and hope
that one could never forget.
'TIe represented in the highest sense
the. ideal Christian and gentleman, and
Il IL no reflection on those whom he has
left 20 say that IT will be many years
before the world will look upon his like
again"
Mr. Hedges. speaking extemporaneous-
~. told OF the personal impressions upon
people which Mr.. ogden made, and of his
great influence for good among his as
soclates.
There is one thing | shall never for
get" said Mr.. Hedges II never was
with Mr.. ogden, or spent few minutes
talking with him. that ! did not leave
him feeling that I was better for having
met him.