Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/293

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rommand to begin preparation for his regular Sunday sermons, until after 10 o'clock the Saturday night preceding, and that he had to mm his study to his pulpit on Sunday morning, without having been able to take a moment of rest the night before.

A qualification of Dr. Hoge has been referred to his quenchless zeal in good works his remarkable will-power.

In instance it is apposite to present a statement from the eminent surgeon and physician, Dr. Hunter McGuire, whose intimate asso- ciation with Dr. Hoge is so well known.

In a conversation of the writer with Dr. McGuire, occurring dur- ing the last illness of Dr. Hoge, Dr. McGuire stated that so severe had been the shock sustained by the feeble and frail tenement of the mighty spirit, that he could not hope for Dr. Hoge to recover, and he added, that the patient himself did not cherish this delusion.

At the White Sulphur last summer, when Dr. Hoge experienced so prostrating a visitation, and when his whole system was so gravely involved in threatening complications of disorder, that everybody was painfully apprehensive, " Dr. Hoge did not give up," said Dr. McGuire.

One day he cheerfully remarked to his anxious physician, " Doc- tor, I am going to get up again " and "I'll yet ride Lucille (his favorite old mare), all around your place," referring to a country place near the city, owned by Dr. McGuire.

He was a man of marvellous will-power, and this, with his sweetly sympathetic heart, sustained to a degree of accomplishment, that but few even aspire to.

As to this exemplification, of all sacrifice of self in undertaking doubtful or tributary performance, the Editor would fain bear testi- mony. In the trying heat of August, in making preparation for the interment, but recently, of an endeared connection, and a member of Dr. Hoge's congregation, he conferred with the pastor as to the hour for service and subsequent interment. Something of preparation had been interposed by undertaker and brick mason. The admi- rable pastor simply said, ".before the sun sinks, it will be found the most trying time of the day, but I am thinking only of those who will attend, I will go." The plea was inexpressibly touching. The hour was made later and everything went well.

Hut, to resume the extracts from the loving tribute of Judge Chris- tian he states as to the fixed fidelity of Dr. Hoge, to principle, right and controlling associations: "Dr. Hoge was in sentiment an intense Southerner. He believed that the Southern Confederacy