N 1868 Thomas Jefferson Gore married Jane Santo, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Santo. There were four children--one died in infancy. The years that followed were filled with sadness. Soon after the birth of the youngest child Jane Santo Gore became very ill, and although everything that human aid could do was done for her, it was all without avail, and her beautiful spirit went to be with the One she loved and so faithfully served. Her last thought and wish was that her children would grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Two died of diphtheria within a few days of each other.

      In 1876 Thomas Jefferson Gore and Sarah Santo were married. To them were born seven children. Most of his time was taken up with church work, but he loved his children, and found time to be interested in their doings. Although never in receipt of a big salary, he made it possible, by going without himself, for each one of his children to go to college. He was greatly blessed in having such a sweet unselfish companion through life. No sacrifice was ever too great for her to make. Every morning he would be up at 6.30 and sometimes earlier, no matter how late or how tired he had been the night before. He devoted the early hours to Bible-reading and prayer, reading ten chapters each day, five in the New Testament and five in the Old Testament. The mornings were usually devoted to study and the afternoons to visiting, and the evenings to meetings or training classes for [21] young men. Sunday of course was a strenuous day. When he would come home after the evening service he would call his baby girl to him, and taking her on his knee would put his arms around her so tenderly, telling her she was his little sweetheart. Nothing was too good for his children, and in their eyes he was just perfect. He loved his garden, and often spent an hour or so hoeing and clipping. He never could bear to see weeds about or the place untidy. He did not spent time growing choice flowers; he loved the ordinary flowers. His outstanding characteristic was gentleness. His heart was full of tenderness for others: many and many a time he gave out of his meagre salary help to those who professed to need it. Many proved impostors, but he always said it was better to give help to many who, were undeserving of it than to send away one who really needed help. So many people came for assistance that it was thought that someone had inked the gate as a sign that help was to be obtained there. He always gave people the benefit of the doubt. He used to say, "If you can't say anything good about anybody, don't say anything at all." His children never heard him speak evil of anybody. He loved his home, and although his work claimed most of his time, the time spent in the home and with his children was always a joy to him. Saturday evenings were usually spent in the home, and before retiring he would clean all the shoes to be worn the next day; he would never allow his girls to clean their own shoes--that was a man's job, he thought. He believed in taking only three meals a day. Never did he make any complaint about any food: he liked the simplest food. He loved to heap the good things on to others. One day he was alone for dinner; everything had been placed on the table, and after eating his dinner he discovered that he hadn't had any vegetables. The dishes still had their covers an them, and he had not missed having them. [22]

      His books were a delight to him: he loved them, and was always happy in his study. During early years in Australia he studied Hebrew with Rabbi Boas, he teaching the Rabbi Greek in exchange for the Hebrew lessons. He had a wonderful brain stored with knowledge. He seemed to have some understanding of most languages, and had dipped into most subjects. He was keenly interested in physiology. He possessed the brain of a giant and the heart of a little child. [23]

[TJG 21-23]