Page:The Poetical Works of Jonathan E. Hoag.djvu/85

 



 I am very glad to speak of my good friend, Mr. Jonathan Hoag and his work. I have had the pleasure of knowing him for the last ten or twelve years, and during part of that time I was his pastor. For several years of my pastorate in Greenwich, N. Y., we lived along side of each other, lawn to lawn, garden to garden and soul to soul. While his years were many, mine were comparatively few; and yet there was a fine fellowship between us. We enjoyed many a chat together over the deep things of the soul and the philosophy of life. When he took to poetry, our ways parted, for I cannot poetize. I love poetry, however, and have found much joy both in the lesser and the greater poets. For some time I have been looking forward to possessing a copy of my friend's poetry. It will contain for me something of the musings and the music of his soul. GORDON B. KIERSTEAD. 



