To  attain  this  end  a  lot  was  purchased  in  the  western
part  of  the  city,  in  the  direction  where  its  growth
luid  been  most  rapid,  and  where  the  new  houses
erected  have  been  the  most  tast<l'ul  and  substantial,
and  a  chapel  was  built  upon  it,  the  chief  contributor
to  which  was  the, late  Dr.  James  McDowell.  During
the  year  1883  everything  seemed  to  be  auspicious  for
the  organization  of  a.  new  church,  and  the  Session
began  to  make  inijuiry  for  a  young  man  qiialitied  to
take  charge  of  the  new  enterprise,  when  a  letter  was
received,  signed  by  all  the  professors  of  Union  Theo-
logical Seminary,  recommending  Mr.  Peyton  Harri-
son Hi>go  as  a  suitable  person  for  the  undertaking.
It  so  happened,  in  the  providence  of  tJod,  that  Etist
Hanover  Presbytery  met  in  the  city  of  Richmond,  at
which  Mr.  Hoge  pstssed  his  examination  and  was
licensed  to  preach  the  go.spel.  His  examination  and
the  prescrilx-d  lecture  and  sermon  of  Mr.  Hoge
made  such  a  favorable  impression  that  he  was
invited  by  the  Session  of  the  Second  Presbyterian
Church  to  t;ike  charge  of  the  lu-w  enterprise.
