OWARDS the end of June, 1923, he contracted a cold and had to be confined to his bed. He was always very particular about his appearance, and although very weak he desired to be propped up in bed that he might shave. When he had finished shaving he was not very satisfied with it, and laughingly said it would have to do. He became much weaker, and although everything was done that human aid could do he developed pneumonia, and after several days lapsed into unconsciousness, from which state he never rallied. At 8 o'clock on the 4th July, 1923, his beautiful spirit passed from this life to be with the One he had loved and for whom he had so gladly laboured. His face, beautiful in life, was beautiful in death--he appeared to have just fallen asleep. His wish had been that his remains should be taken to Park Street Chapel, and from there to West Terrace Cemetery, and this was carried out.

      Mr. I. A. Paternoster sent the following to the "Australian Christian" of 19th July, 1923--

      On Thursday, July 5, the mortal remains of Thomas Jefferson Gore were laid to rest in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, in sure and certain hope that the dead in Christ shall rise to everlasting life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

      We reached the home of our late brother in Edmund Avenue, Unley, where we were permitted to gaze for a brief moment on that dear face which in [51] life had meant so much to us. Always gracious in life, it was beautiful in death. Magnificent floral tributes from far and near filled the room. Nearly twenty years ago we stood in another room hallowed by the memory of this man of God. It was the room in which he had slept and dreamed when a boy of the larger life before him as a servant of God: the little upstairs room on the old home farm in Kentucky. To-day he sleeps, yet lives to be with Jesus, which is very far better. The body was taken from the home to the chapel at Park Street, to a spot hallowed by such memories of a faithful ministry. His brother preachers walked before the procession. It was fitting that Bro. G. T. Walden, the lifetime friend of Bro. Gore, should be in charge of the services. The congregation which filled the chapel sang the favourite hymn of Bro. Gore, "Thou, my everlasting portion." Bro. Ira A. Paternoster, who for over eight years was associated with Bro. Gore in the training of young men, led in prayer, and Bro. Jas. E. Webb read a suitable Scripture lesson. Bro. G. T. Walden paid a beautiful tribute to the character and influence of our departed brother. Softly we sang that hymn of hope, "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep," after which Bro. H. R. Taylor, of Glenelg, led in prayer and Bro. Webb pronounced the benediction.

      The casket was slowly borne from the chapel by loving hands, and soon the cortege moved off for West Terrace. At the cemetery a large group of friends had gathered, and in spite of a drenching cold rain, gathered round the grave. Before the body was lowered from sight, Bro. Walden again referred to the beautiful life of Bro. Gore, who occupied an unique place in our brotherhood. He was in a very real sense a federal brother. Everywhere, all over Australia, we found people who loved him. His great passion in this world was seen in his great love for the church of Jesus Christ. He could sing with complete sincerity: "I love thy church, O God." He [52] was a good preacher of the Word, a profound student and a successful writer, for many years editor of our church paper. A beloved teacher, he loved those who wanted to know more of God's Word. Bro. Gore was a very humble Christian who often hid himself behind others, preferring they should be pushed forward. When asked to become the President of our Australian Bible College, he felt old age coming too near, and so said, "I will gladly serve as second one, and let a younger man take the presidency." In this spirit he grew into a graceful old age.

      The words of the Scripture pointing to the glorious hope in Christ were read by Bro. Webb, after which the body was lowered from sight. A closing prayer by the Conference President, Bro. E. J. Paternoster. and the benediction by Bro. Webb, sent us away from the open grave, sorrowing that we should no longer meet our brother on the earth, yet rejoicing in the hope of that day when earth and sea shall give up their dead.

      Mr. Walden conducted the service in the chapel, Park Street, Unley, and at the grave. The following are the remarks made by him at the chapel:--

      We are all here having a common interest and a common sorrow at this service. In the Acts of the Apostles we are told that when Dorcas died they stood around weeping and showed the garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them; and so we are here every one of us with some thought of the benefits received from our association with Bro. Gore.[53]

      Some of us remember that it was he who led us to Christ; we remember his tender appeals, and we are glad to-day that now the voice is silent, we were influenced by it in Bro. Gore's lifetime.

      Some of us remember that when our feet were slipping he helped us back to the path of safety, and on to the rock that never trembles under us though we may often tremble on the rock. How like the Great Elder Brother he was as he wooed us again for the Good Shepherd out of Whose fold we had strayed.

      Some remember when they were sick that he visited them and sympathised with them. He was a good pastor. It would have been a strange experience to have been a member of the church where Bro. Gore ministered and not to be visited when we were sick.

      Some have the memories when loved ones were sick that he brought us the comfort of the Good Physician of the soul.

      Many remember his gracious hospitality and his unfailing courtesy; he had that courtesy of the past days, and his home was ever open to his brethren in Christ.

      Some remember him as a wise counsellor to whom we could go with the problems of life and find in him that safety and that guidance when we were perplexed or troubled.

      All of us remember his gracious salutations when we met him in life's pathways; what a beautiful smile he had! It was for everyone, the poor and the rich, the learned and the unlearned, for the little child as well as the grown man or woman. You at once knew that he was glad to see you.

      All of us remember that he was a Christian in whom there was no guile. There were no shadows in his life. It is a rare thing that a man can for fifty-six years live in the blaze of publicity that belongs to a preacher's life, and escape condemnation. [54]

      All remember, too, that he was ever kindly in his judgments of others; he was supreme in this virtue. "Speak gently of the erring one," was always true of him. He had such a love for his brethren that he seemed to be able to discover virtues to which many others were quite blind; when all were ready to condemn it was he who was able to speak of some goodness that was to be commended. In the days of the old Adelphian Society there were some very imperfect exercises given, and one wondered what good thing could be said of them, but Bro. Gore, our gentle critic, would discover in the desert of imperfections some flower that was blooming with its beauty and its fragrance, and he would send away the discouraged young man with the desire to try again.

      And the dear ones of his own family circle are rich in memories of him as a husband and father. Into this sacred place I must not enter, but they have the most blessed memories of us all because they lived nearest to him and saw most of him.

      In Bro. Gore's copy of Whittier's Poems, in the verses entitled "The Eternal Goodness," he had marked two verses, and with these I must close, as I feel that they will express our Brother's thoughts regarding the goodness of the great God for His children.

      Sunday evening, 8th July, Mr. Walden conducted a memorial service at Park Street, Unley. He based his remarks on "Lessons from the Life of T. J. Gore." Romans 14:7, "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." And at Grote Street the following Sunday Mr. Walden again conducted a memorial service. [55]

      As a glorious sunset is reflected over the sky long after the sun has gone, so the memory of a godly life, made beautiful through service, lives and is reflected in the lives of others. He who had ever lived close to his Master, and had obeyed each call, was ready when the last call came. To see and be in the presence of the One he loved would bring to him a full realization of the words of his favourite hymn--

[TJG 51-56]