ENLEY Beach Church, the little church by the sea, was the last church that T. J. Gore ministered to, and after leaving there he returned to his old home at Unley. He once more joined in fellowship with the church at Park Street, Unley, the church he had served so long and so faithfully, and where he had very many friends. A meeting was held in Grote Street on 9th November, 1915, to do honor to T. J. Gore, the Grand Old Man of the Churches of Christ in Australia. Speeches were made, and a presentation of a Morris chair and a beautifully decorated and framed testimonial was made. The testimonial was headed, "To Thomas Jefferson Gore, M.A., 50 Years' Service," and read--

Dear Brother Gore,--

      On behalf of the brotherhood of the Churches of Christ in this State and the Commonwealth, we wish, in attaining the jubilee of your entering into the active work of the Christian Ministry, to express our gratitude to God for your long and useful life, and our appreciation of your faithful services rendered to the churches. Since you came to us from your beloved homeland, you have earnestly laboured in this land of your adoption, and for nearly 50 years have proclaimed the Gospel in this State. You have during that period ably occupied the position of President of our Conference and many other positions with [47] which you have been honoured. You have devotedly served the churches at Grote Street, York, Glenelg, Unley and Henley Beach, and by your writing and preaching have been used by God to the strengthening of the spiritual life of thousands in our land. You have been privileged to lead many to Jesus Christ, and during your life have been a help and comfort to the sick, weary and sorrowing ones in our Community. Many young men have been helped by you in their study of the Bible who are now preaching the Gospel. You will need no monument to your memory, for you will always live in the hearts of those who lovingly remember you. We are thankful that you have come in honour to a good old age, and we offer you this token of our love and esteem. We pray that you may still be spared to work for the Master, and that with your beloved wife and family may have abiding joy in the fellowship of your brethren and the abundant blessing of our Heavenly Father.

      A presentation of a silver tea-urn was made by the sisters to Mrs. Gore. The more praise and honour that was heaped on T. J. Gore the more humble he became. The hardest task in his life was to cease working. It was something he could not do. Although he was not preaching for any special church, he was interested in all the churches, and sometimes spoke on Sunday mornings at the various churches. He greatly enjoyed with Mrs. Gore at this time a trip to the churches at Alma and Owen. The brethren [48] there were helped by his messages, and a happy and profitable time was spent together.

      Sunday, 23rd March, 1919, was T. J. Gore's 80th birthday. That was a great day. Numbers of visitors arrived just after breakfast. Neighbours ran in to wish him "Many happy returns," and others came with flowers, etc. He spoke at Park Street that morning to a splendid congregation. People had driven for miles to hear him. During the afternoon and evening he was besieged with visitors. People came because they loved him. On Monday the preachers had arranged to give him a surprise dinner, so telling him they were taking him for a motor-ride they eventually found themselves at the W.C.T.U. rooms, where the other preachers had assembled and where dinner was to be served. After dinner a good deal of speechifying by the preachers took place, and a presentation of a book of congratulatory letters was made, to which T. J. Gore replied.

      When there is a strong desire to keep working, it is hard on account of age to slacken down. Some people are born workers; no task is too gigantic for them to attempt. T. J. Gore was such a one. The years that followed are very precious to his family; he was able to spend more time with them. He grew old gracefully, and although always of a sweet and unselfish disposition, he became, if possible, more beautiful and Christlike as the days went by. He and Mrs. Gore were appointed hospital visitors, which work they undertook, and each week would see them at the Adelaide Hospital visiting many of the sick ones there. After an attack of the shingles which affected his hearing, he was obliged to a great extent to relinquish this work. He could not hear a word of the sermon in church, but in spite of that he was always at the Lord's house when able to be there. Many said it was an inspiration to them just to see him. These years are full of precious memories to his [49] family. He loved his own so devotedly, and he was their first consideration always. Although over 80 he was still an early riser, and in the Summer months was up at 6.30 a.m. He spent much time in his garden, and each day seemed to pass quickly to him. He greatly enjoyed seeing his friends, but no visits were enjoyed more than those of G. T. Walden. Mr. Walden, when home, would not let a week go by without calling in; and if he had been on a visit to some of the country churches he would come back with messages from the brethren there, and very often some dairy produce or some fruit from the garden where he had been staying. These cheery visits and kindnesses meant a great deal to T. J. Gore, and although Mr. Walden was tremendously busy he could always find time to come in and have a talk to one who by his life and example had helped him. [50]

[TJG 47-50]