"There Is A Prince And A Great Man Fallen This Day In Israel" - 2 Sam. 3:38
On May 10, 1956 at 10 a.m., Brother Orlan Hogue finished his course on earth and departed to be with Christ. His untimely passing was due to a cerebral hemorrhage, caused by a fall in the Huntingdon Post Office May 9th. While we do not sorrow as those who have no hope, still there is much sorrow because of the broken ties of fellowship. Brother Hogue's pleasant disposition and likeable personality coupled with his great love for and interest in all men will cause thousands to lament his passing.
Orlan and I were as close as two men can get, and I shall always cherish the pleasant memories of our associations together. We lived together, worked together as business partners, persecuted the church together in our ignorance, studied and learned the truth of God together, walked down the aisle together to obey our Saviour on August 7, 1947, and were buried together in baptism with Christ the same hour. And if only I were involved, my desire would have been to walk together with him through the door of death into eternity to be together with Christ. But perhaps it is needful for me to remain yet for awhile for the sake of others in the flesh.
Orlan and I fought together as soldiers in God's army from the hour of our conversion, and never a more courageous soldier have I ever known. He was not ashamed of the gospel, not afraid to declare it boldly, and he shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God without favor. He fervently preached the Word daily, in season and out of season, to all who would listen as time and opportunity permitted, and was instrumental in leading multitudes to Christ, strengthening the weak, and encouraging the fallen to rise again. His courage in exposing error and contending for the faith is to be compared with that of the apostle Paul, and was an inspiration to all who knew him and loved the truth of God.
His zeal and enthusiasm seemingly knew no hounds, and his energy was almost inexhaustible. No hour was ever too late, no distance too far, no sacrifice too great, no task too difficult when God's work called him. He cheerfully gave himself wholly to the work he loved with-out regard for himself. He truly did the work of an evangelist, he fulfilled his ministry as a faithful servant and valiantly fought the battles against the forces of evil, aggressively and effectively wielding the Sword of the Spirit against all manner of error.
But he being dead, yet speaketh by his works which follow in the lives of those he converted to Christ and those that he influenced to become gospel preachers. When I was considering my desire to preach the Word just after our conversion, it was Orlan who gave me the final encouragement I needed to make the decision by insisting that I could do it. Many souls will yet be brought to the Saviour because he lived among us.
He fought a good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith, and I confidently believe there is a crown of righteousness laid up for him, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to him at that day, and not to him only, but unto all that love his appearing. I thank God for the privilege of associating with him on earth, and I look forward with joyful anticipation to our reunion in eternity when we shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air to forever be with him. Heaven now means more and seems closer to those who loved him on earth. I trust that those who read these lines will forgive my many personal references, and understand that I speak from a saddened heart which loved him very much.
In closing, I quote two passages which Brother Hogue loved so dearly and obeyed so faithfully. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord ... Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Tim. 4:2.)
May we exhort all to consider the brevity of life, the certainty of death, the surety of the judgment, the horrors of hell and the happiness of heaven, and strive to live according to His Word so as to be found acceptable in His sight in that day.