[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1902, page 195a]

--Rev. R. A. Gay writes from Wichita Falls, Texas: Rev. C. B. Hodges died of paralysis at his residence in Nocona, Texas, November 16, aged 78 years and 11 months. He was for more than fifty years a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; full of faith and good works, having witnessed the conversion of 12,000 or 15,000 souls. A wife and four children survive him. The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. W. M. Martin, and the writer.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 28, 1901, page 1477]

In personal appearance Rev. C. B. Hodges was especially attractive. A tall, commanding figure, graceful in movement, a rare type of red hair and flowing beard.

As a citizen he was one of whom any state should feel proud--"A living epistle, known and read of all men." People knew where to find him--that was on the right side of every question. True to his convictions, loyal, unprejudiced, careful, and deliberate.

His spiritual life was almost idea. It was marked by a humility and a Christ-like spirit that was felt by all. Truly, and without seeming ostentation, he could review the panorama of his life in its closing scene, and say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

Brother Hodges was blessed with a gift of ruling power, which was manifest in the work of his life, and made him useful in the various church courts. He and Rev. A. W. Rodgers, a life-time friend, attended the General Assembly that met at Covington, Ohio, in May, 1887.

Various accounts of his work bear testimony to the fact that he was above the average as a pastor. A good house was erected at Whitesboro, Texas, under his pastorate. This church fell into the hands of the Northern Presbyterians. Later he organized a church at Nocona, Texas, and built a house there. The latter is still occupied by the Cumberland congregation.

Possibly it was as an evangelist, that he did the greatest work of his life, and he was one among the best. For twelve years he traveled as an evangelist in Texas. He had a tabernacle made according to his own plans. Men were employed to haul it from place to place, and set it up.

At his home church, Sandusky, in Grayson County, the first tabernacle was dedicated to the Lord. Rev. A. W. Rodgers delivered the dedicatory sermon, and Brother Hodges himself offered the prayer. When one tent was worn out another was purchased, and so the good work went on. Walnut Grove and Doe Branch, in Collin County, were two famous camp-meeting grounds. Many other places were made "Holy ground" by the erection of that tabernacle, and the presence of the Lord in the meeting that followed.

Altogether, Brother Hodges was one of the best preachers the Cumberland church has had. His vision of Bible truth was clear, and bore evidence of the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit. He was converted at the age of eighteen, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. A few years later he joined presbytery, and was ordained in September, 1850. He was educated at Cumberland College, Princeton, Ky. For ten years he rode the Circuit in North Missouri and Kansas, only missing ten Sundays in the ten years. The circuit was eighty miles long, and he came home but once a month. The first Cumberland church in Kansas was organized by him.

To the young preachers he was indeed a father in the ministry. Rev. A. W. Rodgers says: "He seemed to recognize me as Paul did Timothy, and was as much interested in me as if I had been his own son in the flesh. Not only me but he was a spiritual father to all the boy-preachers." He took up Rev. T. A. Cowan, a country boy, and used him in his meetings, and trained him in Christian work. He had the Presbytery to send him to Lebanon, Tenn., where he graduated with highest honors. Then went to California as a missionary, and died there. This is only one example of the many good things he did for the young preachers.

Much of the success of Brother Hodges is due to his consecrated wife, who so faithfully stood by him, and held up his hands, and helped all she could to bear "the heart and burden of the day." She is now gone to her reward, having survived him only a few years.

A family of five children, three sons and two daughters were reared by them. As his health began to fail, he disposed of his tabernacle, and located at Nocona, Texas, in Denton Presbytery. Here he died November 16, 1901.

[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. The Assistance of Revs. J. L. Price and W. P. Kloster is Greatfully Acknowledged. Nashville, Tenn.: The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 60-63]