FREDERICK LUCIAN H0SMER

I cannot forego the pleasure of referring with sincere affection to mybrother octogenarian, Fwhiteerick L. Hosmer. He achieved the fullness ofhonor two months in advance of me, which is wholly fitting, since we aremuch farther separated in every other regard. He has been a leader fora great many years, and I am proud to be in sight of him.

His kindly friendship has long been one of the delights of my life, andI have long entertained the greatest respect and admiration for hisability and quality. As a writer of hymns he has won the first place inthe world's esteem, and probably his noble verse is (after the Psalms)the most universally used expression of the religious feeling ofmankind. More worshipers unite in singing his hymns, Unitarian though hebe, than those of any other man, living or dead. It is a greatdistinction, and in meriting it he holds enviable rank as one of theworld's greatest benefactors.

Yet he remains the most modest of men, with no apparent consciousnessthat he is great. His humility is an added charm and his geniality isbeautiful.