in a few weeks followed her son, into the presence of Him whom her soul loved.

On Saturday, the last day of November of the same year, he assisted at the ordination of Mr. John Lyle, at Springfield, Hampshire county. Mr. Campbell preached the sermon on the words" The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat saith the Lord?" Mr. Legrand gave a "profitable" sermon on Sabbath; and Mr. Hoge introduced the ordinance of the supper. The occasion proved of great interest. By the settlement of Mr. Lyle at this place, Mr. Hill at Charlestown, Mr. Legrand at Cedar Creek, Opeckon and Winchester, and Mr. Williamson at Front Royal, the way was open for the formation of Winchester Presbytery, which took place on the fourth day of December, 1794. Mr. Hoge preached the opening sermon in the old stone church in Winchester from the words "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed." The course and prosperity of the Presbytery has not been unfitting the strain of the first sermon. this performance he says "I felt very languid, owing, perhaps, to a cold fatiguing ride. Often when I hope to do something more than common I am sadly disappointed. This is no doubt right. But were I as dead to self as I ought to be, such dispensations would not, I imagine, be any longer necessary. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death?"

Of

The meeting of the Synod of Virginia, at Harrisonburg, in the month of September, 1794, was signalized by an effort of the military to put down the freedom of debate in an ecclesiastical body. The Synod, at that time, was composed of the Presbyteries of Hanover and Lexington, in Virginia; Redstone, in Pennsylvania; Transylvania, in Kentucky; and Ohio, north of the Ohio River. In Pennsylvania, in the bounds of one of these Presbyteries, that popular outburst, commonly known as the Whiskey Insurrection, had taken place; and the insubordinate, commonly called the Whiskey Boys, were many of them members of Presbyterian congregations. The part of the armed force, raised in Virginia to quell the insurrection, was encamped at Harrisonburg at the time of the meeting of Synod. The town and country were excited. The proceedings of Synod were closely watched. Mr. Hoge, after conference with some of his brethren, proposed-" That the Synod prepare an address to the people under their care, inculcating upon them the duty of obedience to the laws of their country. Mr. Graham opposed the resolution as uncalled for, and as prejudging in an ecclesiastical court the case of a people

that felt themselves aggrieved politically by the practical working of a law of Congress, that pressed as tyrannically upon them as the Stamp Act upon the colonies. The proposition was lost by a small majority. The military were enraged, and threatened personal violence. Tar and feathers were hastily provided. An officer of high grade residing in Rockingham sent to the Synod a demand of the yeas and nays on the question, and the reasons for the decision. This was refused by Synod as an assumption of power. The popular rage increased, and the inflamed soldiery were scarcely restrained from violence by the remonstrances of Dr. Hoge, who rushed amongst them, and entreated them to respect themselves, and refrain from acts that could only be detrimental, and bring disgrace upon themselves. So great was the influence acquired by his proposed resolution, and his earnest remonstrances, that a general demand was made for him to deliver them a sermon previously to their march westward. He took for his text,-"Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's," and left upon his audience an impression of delight with the boldness, clearness, simplicity, and piety of the man.

On the 2d of June, 1795, he was called to part with his father, whom he loved as a parent, and reverenced as a Christian. He repeatedly refers to the pious instructions, counsels, and godly example of his father as a means of impressing his tender youthful mind with a conviction of the great importance of religion. There is extant a paper drawn up by this parent, giving, with great simplicity, and in the style and orthography of a plain emigrant farmer, the dealings of God with his soul, from his earliest recollection, till he became a widower with five children. It illustrates the domestic instruction of the family of William Hoge, the first settler on Opeckon, and is an exemplar of the standard of pious feeling and action of the congregation that was worshipping in the house built on his land. The writer of the paper, James Hoge, describes the feelings of a child in his first desires to find Christ-"I thought I would be willing to travel round the world, if it was possible, if I could be sure to meet with Christ and get him to take me in his arms and tell me that he loved me and would save me." And he describes with equal simplicity the overwhelming views of a Christian in his manhood, when he draws near to God. His last days were days of resignation and joy.

In the fall of 1801, the health of Mrs. Hoge having become very delicate, Dr. Hoge, by the advice of the physicians, sought in a more southern climate a refuge from the frosts of winter in the Valley of the Shenandoah. He journeyed slowly through North Carolina into the lower part of South Carolina, every

where experiencing the kindest Christian hospitality, and enjoying delightful Christian communion. The open-hearted Carolinians sympathized with this candid, devout minister, and his feeble, suffering wife, lovely in her decline. With the returning spring he sought his home, cheered with the prospect of rapid improvement in the health of his wife. These hopes and prospects were all blasted before he reached Augusta, and as a last resort he sought the aid of the Sweet Springs, which had been beneficial to his suffering companion on a former occasion. Her vital powers were exhausted before reaching the Springs, and she fell asleep in Christ on the 18th of June, 1802. She had enjoyed the presence of her Lord, in an unusual degree in her life. In her sickness, particularly towards its close, she was beset with fears and doubts. Her sorrowing husband, after much private prayer, held with her a time of special intercession for her relief. And while they were yet speaking the light of the Lord shone upon her soul; and her consolations were strong in death. Her husband chose for her burial place an eminence; and standing at the head of the grave preached Christ and him crucified, as the resurrection and the life. The reflections in his diary on this occasion are full of affection and piety.

In October, 1803, he attended the Synod which met at Hampden Sidney College; and before his return to the Valley, on the 25th of the month was united in marriage with Mrs. Susannah Hunt, widow of William Pitt Hunt, Esq., and daughter of Colonel Joel Watkins of Charlotte county. Mr. Hunt was grandson of one of Mr. Davies' elders, and son of the Rev. Mr. Hunt whose narrative of the Rise of the Presbyterian Church in Hanover has been preserved by Dr. Rice. The name of Watkins is familiar in the civil and religious history of southern Virginia. Dr. Hoge and Mr. Hunt had been intimate friends; and this marriage was one of judgment, and affection, and prudence. It proved a source of comfort and usefulness to both parties.

In 1805 Dr. Hoge was induced to open a classical school for the double purpose of adding to his means of support, and the education of his sons who were now of the proper age for the rudiments of a classical course. He had been attending to the education of young men for the ministry as opportunity occurred; and at this time was more deeply impressed with the importance of a course of theological reading under proper guidance to candidates for the gospel ministry. Some of the members of Hanover Presbytery, about this time, commenced gathering a theological library at Hampden Sidney for the purpose of mutual improvement. The advantage of such a library for the instruction of candidates was apparent. In

1806 the Presbytery "resolved to establish at Hampden Sidney a complete theological library for the benefit of students in divinity. 2d. That an attempt be made to establish a fund for the education of poor and pious youth, for the ministry of the gospel. 3d. That the Rev. Messrs. Archibald Alexander, Matthew Lyle, Conrad Speece, John H. Rice, and Major James Morton, Major Robert Quarles and Mr. James Daniel, be a standing committee to manage the business and make report to Presbytery at its annual meeting. 4th. That whatever funds are raised by the committee shall be vested in the Trustees of Hampden Sidney College; the appropriation of all such funds however shall forever remain with the Presbytery." In the spring of 1807 funds to the amount of $2500 were raised for the purposes above mentioned.

While these things were in progress, Dr. Hoge, animated by the example of Franke, was planning a school for training young men for the ministry, on the principle of mutual improvement in science and piety. Believing such a school necessary, and that a location in the Valley of the Shenandoah was favourable, his faith embraced the means as well as the end. “The silver and the gold are the Lord's-was his reply to one inquiring of him where he would find the means of carrying on his Seminary. He believed that faith in the mountains, like faith in Germany, would build the walls.

The Presidency of Hampden Sidney becoming vacant by the removal of Rev. Archibald Alexander to Philadelphia, on the 6th of June, 1807, Mr. Hoge was unanimously chosen to fill the vacant office. The vote of the Trustees was accompanied by pressing letters from the brethren of the Presbytery, and Mr. Hoge, after some hesitation, consented to remove. One letter says "What I wish to present to you for your serious consideration is the importance of our Theological School. For some years to come the head of the Theological School must be the President of Hampden Sidney College. Now the eyes of all who are at the same time friends to this institution and acquaintances of yours are directed to you as the fittest person in the compass of their knowledge for a Professor of Divinity."

In the month of October he removed to Prince Edward, and during the sessions of Synod was inducted to office, being received with every mark of kindness and hearty approbation. On the Sabbath after Synod he preached his first sermon, in preparation for the communion, on 1 Peter i. 12, and in the beginning of November entered upon the duties of his office.

In 1809, the General Assembly, after discussing the subject of ministerial education, and the propriety of having a seminary or seminaries for the purpose, sent down to the Presbyteries the

inquiry: Should there be one or more seminaries established? The Presbyteries, which sent up an answer, were divided in opinion. The Assembly resolved upon establishing a central one, leaving the Synods and Presbyteries at liberty to establish one for themselves if they judged expedient. The Presbyteries in Virginia determined in favour of synodical seminaries; and in 1812, the Synod unanimously resolved on establishing a Theological Seminary,-and also unanimously resolved that Dr. Hoge should be their Professor.

From this time till his death, in 1820, Dr. Hoge held the double office of President of the College, and the Professor of Divinity, under the appointment of Synod. In the meantime the Seminary at Princeton was established, and Archibald Alexander, D.D., was made First Professor. The endowments made by the Assembly were more abundant than those made by the Synod of Virginia. But with all the disadvantages arising from want of funds, and an experienced Board of Directors, Dr. Hoge had the pleasure of seeing about thirty of his pupils at Hampden Sidney among the licensed and ordained ambassadors of the Lord Jesus. These have travelled widely and laboured faithfully. Some of them still labour in the gospel; and some have gone to receive the reward of their exertions and zeal. With all his desires to do good, in his largest purposes, in all human probability he never contemplated the extent of usefulness with which the Lord finally blessed him.

His patriotic spirit kept pace with his increasing usefulness, and Hampden Sidney heard from him the same invigorating call to arms that burst from the lips of his predecessor Smith. In the late war with England, the British forces took possession of Washington, and burned the Capitol and other public buildings. Rumour of this sad event spread swiftly over the country. Dr. Hoge received information by letter on Sunday afternoon, with the additional rumour that the British forces, in great strength, were marching upon Richmond. Postponing the usual service for the afternoon, in which he was just about to engage, he announced to the audience the contents of the communication, and addressed them on the duty of protecting their homes, and defending their country. With impassioned eloquence he urged the able-bodied men to go where duty called. By noon on Monday Captain Allen's troop of cavalry was collected at Prince Edward Court House. They had served one tour of duty; and were now again assembled as volunteers. By request, Dr. Hoge met them at the Court House, and from a cart in the corner of the yard addressed the soldiers, drawn up in hollow square, and in strains of eloquent patriotism encouraged them to venture and suffer for their country. The impression on the soldiers was deep and enlivening. One of the troopers, a sprightly