Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/290

 280 Southern Historical Society Papers.

the sufferer or distressed in his, and softly holding them ; as it were, to lift up, to render by double current from the heart, all the sympa- thy and comfort he could give.

Dr. McGuire has often said that Dr. Hoge in his singular aid, was the most potent assistant he had in the recovery of his patients. Dr. Kerr says:

AS A GENTLEMAN, CITIZEN AND FRIEND.

" If the subject assigned, permitted me to write of Dr. Hoge as a gentleman, a citizen, and a friend, I would speak of him as one who constituted the radiant centre of any circle in which he appeared, as a man ready to serve in all proper ways the community that always delighted to honor him, and as one who, under no circumstances, would fail to take the part of those who enjoyed the privilege of his regard. The principles that underlay his character as a gentleman, a citizen, and a friend, were fidelity to truth and a generosity that knew no bounds. No\\ that he is gone, all must feel that a person- ality of the first magnitude is removed from the Church, the city and the State, and thousands do rise up to call him blessed, and I, with a hand trembling from sorrow, beg to lay this humble tribute along with those of many others, beside the bier of my great and noble friend."

As has been stated, our various city papers were crowded with tributes of regard for Dr. Hoge, from prominent ministers of varied sectarian tenets, from veteran bodies, charitable institutions, frater- nal orders, and admiring friends and still expressions of reverence continue to come from distant points.

Judge George L. Christian, so regardfully held in this community for his fidelity and unassuming worth, and for his constant and useful service in various positions of honorable trust, contributory to enter- prise and progress and who has been associated with Dr. Hoge as an Elder in the Second Presbyterian church for a number of years writes of him as

PREACHER, MAN AND FRIEND.

One of the strongest points about Dr. Hoge as a preacher was that, whilst a fine scholar, and a faithful student in the preparation of his discourses, he did not shut himself up in his study or cut himself off from contact with his fellow-men, either in their business pur- suits or social enjoyments. He felt that the best way to help in lift- ing fallen humanity was that of the Master, " who went about doing