CHAPTER XXXV.
Letter from Wiley Mountjoy.-Dr. Hopson's Life at Home.-Influence on the Students in his Family.-Servants.-Bro. G. A. Hoffman's Letter.-Generous Kindness.-Conscientiousness.-Christ-likeness.-Influence at Home and Abroad as a Neighbor, a Minister, a Friend.-His Liberality.
There is much in the life of Dr. Hopson I have left to others to say. Appended the reader will find many precious letters from friends, containing much that delicacy would forbid me writing. It will be seen by these that those who knew him best loved him most.
The first letter is from Wiley Mountjoy, a brother of the lamented J. W. Mountjoy.
RECOLLECTIONS OF DR. W. H. Hopson.
"On the 1st day of January, 1876, as the north-bound train stopped at Canton, Mo., a young man issued from the cars and stepped upon the platform.
"A close observer need not have been told that he was a stranger. The look, half of inquiry and half of appeal, the uneasy manner and woe-begone expression of countenance, must have proclaimed to the denizens of the town, who had doubtless seen many of the same species, that he was one of the newest of the students of Canton University. This, at any rate, was the truth. This young man was myself, and I had come to enter the college, then under the presidency of Dr. W. H. Hopson, who had but recently assumed the administration of its affairs. In accordance with arrangements previously made by my friends, I was to become a member of his family. I can not describe my emotions when I looked up, for the first time, at the massive building which crowned the high hill overlooking the quiet town, I knew nothing of a college, either inside or outside; but was
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awed with the idea, awful to an unsophisticated youth, that the students were prodigies of learning, the professors regular Solomons, and the President almost if not quite as unapproachable as the Czar of Russia. It was with a sad and heavy heart, and many misgivings, that I sought the home of the only man I knew in Canton, Bro. J. H. Hickman, whom I had not met since my early boyhood.
"I shall never forget the dreariness of that drizzly New Year's day, nor the utter loneliness of my heart as I passed along these strange, quiet streets.
"I found Bro. Hickman, and he conducted me to the home, and introduced me to Dr. Hopson. Nothing in all my experience is more distinct to me at this moment than this my first meeting with him. As much as I afterward associated with him, as much as I admired and loved him, he never seemed to me so noble, so massive or so good as at this our first meeting. There he sat in his capacious, comfortable room, to me greatness personified; yet he was so kind and considerate in what he said, so courteous and easy, that he completely disarmed me of all anxiety and embarrassment, and made me feel completely at ease in his presence. I have seen him in the pulpit in his happiest mood,his eyes were tongues, and his movements grace; again in the class-room, under the inspiration of come favorite theme, when his talk flowed like a stream, and made melody as it ran; still memory's cherished treasure is the recollection of this first meeting. The mental picture of that hour as he looked then, if it could be transferred to card or canvas, would far surpass any that I have ever seen of him.
"He had passed the prime and vigor of life, the period in which men ordinarily are most active in their respective callings. Seemingly he had just begun to descend a long, gentle slope, amid golden fields and beautiful meadows, toward the silver sands that border the eternal ocean. Alas! how soon this slope became abrupt, and the descent rapid. To drop the figure, the Doctor had reached that period in life when men who have given their lives to their fellow-men and to good works, feel that, while they have passed the time for most active service, they are just entering upon their greatest usefulness. So the Doctor doubtless thought he could now enjoy the fruits of former labor, and have some of the benefits of a well-deserved reputation. How soon the church, the college and the world were to be deprived of his
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ministrations, his teachings and the influence of his noble life, are well known.
"I entered Canton University the second semester of his first session. I was for a year and a half a member of his family, a pupil in his classes, an eager, delighted listener to his eloquent sermons. Thus I came to know, and admire and love Dr. Hopson. He was a father to me, and I knew it was not due to any merit of my own, or to any relationship between us; for we were not only unrelated, but strangers, until we met to assume the relationship of teacher and pupil. It was due to his native kindness of heart, to the desire that he ever manifested of helping those who needed help, and of encouraging young men in their aspirations and efforts for a higher and nobler life. I might have thought it partiality to me if I had not witnessed repeatedly the same unselfish, generous treatment of other young men similarly situated.
"The Doctor's kindness to young men studying for the ministry has often been remarked. I now recall one mention in The Living Pulpit: 'He is especially kind to young preachers, and helps them in whatever way he can. In money matters he is liberal to a fault.' My own experience and observation fully confirm these statements.
"Dr. Hopson's personal appearance and characteristics are too well known for me to dwell upon them; but I do not hesitate to say that he was one of the finest specimens of noble manhood I ever met. Tall, erect, dignified in his bearing, always well and appropriately dressed, courtly in his manners, kind and considerate at all times, he never failed to impress all who came within the charming circle of his personal influence that they were in the presence of a gentleman in the truest sense of that term.
"He was so kingly and martial in his bearing that strangers sometimes thought him proud and pompous. I have often heard him tell, with evident enjoyment, jokes at his own expense, illustrating this impression of strangers. This one occurs to me. He was waiting for a train at a Missouri town, and, growing somewhat impatient of delay, was leisurely pacing up and down the platform. Two Irishmen were walking near. One of them says, 'Pat, and can ye's tell me who that man is?' 'By me soul, sure I dunno,' replied the other. The first, after regarding the Doctor attentively a few moments, said, 'Be jabbers, I wonder if be thinks he made God Almighty, or God Almighty made him.
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"Nothing was farther from the truth than the notion that the Doctor was arrogant and haughty; a very short time in his presence would banish all such thoughts. He had a quick sympathy for all who were less fortunate than himself. None were too lowly to receive his hearty and polite greetings wherever he met them.
"The servants in his own family, and all the poor in the community, were greatly attached to him; for in him they recognized a real, helpful friend. If his sympathy and aid were invaluable to the humble classes, his society and influence were not less eagerly sought by the wealthy and more favored. His superior dignity, his easy, graceful manners, and his ready converse, made him the favorite companion and the center of attraction in nearly all circles, while his wisdom, prudence and extensive general knowledge made him the safe counselor and trusted friend.
"I can not, in giving my estimate of him, make any critical, or what would be called a just estimate of him as a preacher. The pupils thought him among the most eloquent, logical and powerful of preachers: as to how much we were influenced in our estimate by an intense admiration and great respect for him is not for me to say. It may be safely said, however, that his splendid personal presence, natural grace of movement, power of clear logical statement, added to the rich melody of his voice, distinguished him as a man of marked ability in the pulpit.
"He was a man of very devout spirit, and religious emotions of the highest order. I think during the year and a half I spent in his home he never failed to have family worship twice a day. No matter who was present, without explanation or apology, at the conclusion of the morning and evening meals, he had all to kneel around the table while he offered a fervent, earnest prayer. His reverence and devotion were simply beautiful.
"One of the loveliest traits of Dr. Hopson's character was his benevolence. I believe he was the most truly benevolent man I ever knew. He would give as long as he had to give while there was a fellow-creature in need around him. He did not seek to know when and where it would be popular to give, nor did he accumulate a large amount and give it at once that he might have the praise of men; but daily he experienced the joy and blessedness of unselfish giving.
"What is sometimes spoken of as his exceptional kindness
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to young men was not exceptional. This is only an instance of that native kindness of heart which 'abounded to all men.' This is most often heard because told by these young men. But, oh! if the voice of widows and orphans could be heard, if their grateful tears could speak, they would tell of heavy hearts made light, and of dreary homes brightened by his unselfish visitations. There are many to-day in whose hearts is sweet music to the memory of Dr. Hopson, hearts in which there was little music until their chords felt the tender touch of his hand.
"I suppose there are in the lives of all men what might be termed pivotal points, events from which they reckon success or failure,from which they date the beginning of certain influences which determine character and destiny. So many of us can recall certain men whose friendship has been most timely and in valuable, men who, by their exalted character and teaching, have exercised a controlling and lasting influence upon our characters. With profound gratitude I shall always see Dr. Hopson in this relation to myself. WILEY MOUNTJOY,
"Camden Point, Mo."
"PERCHE, Mo., January 26, 1887.
"Dear Sister Hopson:"It is with great pleasure I write, at your request, concerning my recollections of a life as grand and God-like as that of Dr. W. H. Hopson; not because my feeble pen could describe the many noble traits of a life so distinguished in the service of God, but to express the gratitude of my own heart for his help in making me what I am, both as a man and preacher of the gospel of Christ. It can only he partially known how I appreciate this privilege when I repeat some of the blessings I have gathered from his life.
"In February, 1875, Bro. Hopson was assisting Bro. Wilkes in a meeting at Columbia, Mo., when I confessed Christ and united with the church. In August, 1876, when he found I was penniless, and had a desire to study for the ministry, he invited me to his house to board, and I could pay him, when my college course ended, and I should be able to save the money. It was in February, 1877, I was set apart with fasting and prayer; he spoke the impressive words, 'Preach the word,' and with laying on of hands directed the services which authorized me to preach the gospel to dying sinners. I shall never forget the earnest and impressive charge which he gave for us in the presence of the
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large audience. It was in June, 1878, as Presidentof Canton University he handed me the graduating diploma of that institution.
"During the year that I lived in your family, Bro. Hopson treated me more like an intimate friend than a boarder; much more like a son than a stranger; more, indeed, like a companion and counselor than a mere student. At time he would converse freely concerning his work, and plans and prospects, while my crude thoughts were of no benefit to him. It filled my heart with high and noble aspirations to listen to him, and gave me a burning desire to become like this friend and Christian companion that the Lord had given me.
"Thus in my intercourse with the family, a member of the church where Dr. Hopson was pastor, a student in the school where he was President, and an attendant on his classes, I learned much of the child-like simplicity of his heart, his lofty conceptions of both God and man, his wonderful confidence in his heavenly Father, and his unceasing love for the cause of his Master.
"There are few men who impart such a high conception of true manhood. He was, first of all, a true man, and manifested the highest and most Christ-like ideal I have seen among men. True to his friends, true to his church, true to his conscience, and true to his God.
"He was known wherever he lived as a man of strict integrity, and of good report among all. He was ever foremost in the councils of his brethren. Nothing engrossed his thoughts more than the interests of the church,it was first, middle and last with him. Few men were as true to their convictions. He would suffer his right arm to go to the flames before he would go against his conscientious decision on any subject; yet, when he had taken a wrong position, no one would yield in a more manly way than he.
"Always loyal and true to the word of God; in fact, he was pre-eminently a man who loved the truth for the truth's sake, and gave the world a living example of it.
"The dignified appearance of Dr. Hopson left the impression on a few that he must be a man of a proud and haughty spirit. As soon, however, as one came to know something of his sympathy for the poor and the child-like nature he possessed these thoughts would be forever dispelled.
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"No one bad a better opportunity than I did to learn much of his life. The year I was a member of your family, we started in with eighteen members: Father and Mother Fife, your niece, Miss Freddie Lord, Prof. Kay, three Bible students, four young men attending school, and three young ladies and two domestics. They ranged in age from fifteen to eighty years. In character, they represented everything, from the careless, thoughtless, mischievous school boy and girl to the ripe old disciples of Christ, ready for the garner of God. In birth, nationality and politics we represented Europe and America, from the South and the North, the East and the West; yet under all these varied circumstances Bro. Hopson had such a hold on the affections of all that the family ran as smooth and regular as clock-work; our meals always on time, every member of the family in his or her place at morning and evening worship, and thus all through the day his natural simplicity and love gave direction to all. One who knew him both in the family and out could not help but love him.
"This was especially demonstrated when the hand of disease laid Bro. Hopson so near death's door. There were the four physicians who watched at his bedside by turns, and the anxious watchers from the church, who held their pastor in the highest esteem. When the sad hour came, and the life of your dear husband was despaired of, tears fell from the eyes of the servants in the kitchen, not because he was their employer, but because they loved him for his consideration for their needs; tears gathered in the eyes of the students, who felt they were about to lose their best friend; the neighbors came with sad and inquiring hearts, 'How is he now?' In him they had a neighbor who would do unto them as he would have them do unto him. The same expression came upon the countenances of the poor. Few men were so ready to divide with the man of poverty. Often I have known him to deprive himself of comforts to give to those in need. The poor never called for bread in vain, and to-day I remember well his exhortations to the church to take care of the poor. But the poor loved him, not on account of his gifts,he preached the gospel unto them. Many men with the literary attainments of Dr. Hopson can scarcely be understood by the illiterate and uneducated masses. While the educated heard him with joy, it was none the less true of the unlearned. The same
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simplicity and clearness of style manifested in the pulpit characterized his teaching in the classes.
"His sympathy was unbounded. It mattered not how important the occasion, or how grave the subject that was occupying his mind, he could enter into sympathy with the humblest student in school, and the needs or complaints of none were too small for his immediate attention and aid.
"If there is a position on earth where grander power and more earnest lives in the service of Christ are needed than in all others, it is in the teachers who assist in the preparation of young men to preach the gospel. Should I wish to judge the life, character and work of any Bible school professor, just tell me what their students are doing after they leave the college walls. It is not simply a man who can teach the facts and truths of the word of God, but he who can build character out of these principles and create an undying desire and an earnest life to preach the gospel of our Lord.
"Did space permit, nothing would give me more pleasure than to point to the young men, and their work for Christ, who were in the classes of Dr. Hopson's Bible school and received instruction, both by precept and example, from that grand man. When the Lord shall call him home to receive the crown laid up for him in heaven, there will be scores to stand in his stead to carry the banner of the cross to dying men. Few will have the talents God gave him, but whatever God has given them they will use. None may have the eloquence of our dear brother, but his earnest life will ever stimulate the young preacher of the gospel to do all in his power to lead sinners to Christ.
"In talking to quite an intelligent attorney in regard to the labors and preaching of Dr. Hopson, he said: 'He is the most eloquent man I ever heard. Why, just to look at him in the pulpit was a sermon to me.' This was a power in the life of Bro. Hopson. That life always preached Christ.
"There are many things I would like to write, but it would make this letter too long. There is one thing I must speak of before I close, and that is his constant friendship and self-denial for the young preacher. He was not a wealthy man. He had nothing but his salary as a preacher, and the church and the poor generally got a large share of that before the year would be out. Yet when I asked one of my room-mates who was studying the Bible at school with me, and who is now a most excellent preacher and
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president of one of our leading female colleges, 'What did you pay Bro. Hopson for board while you were with him?' he replied, 'He kept me one year and a half, and charged me nothing for board except the little chores I did.' His kindness to me I shall never forget, when he told me to come to his house and board, and I might pay him some time in the future if I ever became able. I had nothing, and after I graduated and commenced preaching, when I had saved fifty dollars I sent it to him, supposing it would pay a little over one-third of my indebtedness. I asked him in the letter, 'How much more do I owe you?' The reply came, 'This is enough.' Imagine the joy of my heart, not so much on account of my release, although that was much to a young preacher just starting out in life, but for the kind remembrance and love, the substantial gift from so great and good a man. Nothing could bring tears of joy from my eyes more readily than the unselfish deeds of God's children. These are two of the several kind and benevolent acts I know of in assisting young men to prepare themselves for the work of preaching the gospel.
"Had he been a man of wealth, all would have said it was his duty to give, and as the recipient of his benevolence I should have been grateful. As it is, however, it came more like the widow's mite, who gave all. Thus all along his life he has been giving for the good of mankind, and to build up the cause of Christ. It seems there must have been a sentiment in his heart akin to these lines
" 'But the seeds of good we sow,
Both in shade and shine will grow,
And will keep our hearts aglow.'
"This is certainly true of his life, as he seems now to enjoy the fruit in the lives of the preachers who were once young men in his hands,the soil into which he has sown precious seeds. His work is ended, but his deeds will still live in our hearts, and his influence, like waves from mid-ocean, will roll on until it strikes the shores of eternity.
" G. A. HOFFMAN."
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