During the course of a long Christian life one is sure to make many friends. These friends may be classified by the degrees--good, better, best. The degree by the measure of helpfulness received. Among my personal friends there are four that head the list of those whom I regard as my best earthly friends--Brethren Gore, Surber, Burford, and Colbourne. I say brethren, for in my judgment they were Christians whose fellowship tended to edification; with Bro. Gore for four years the fellowship was intimate. It is often said one must live with a person to be able to estimate the true character. If this be true I am in the condition to speak intelligently of the true character of our departed friend and brother. For four months we boarded with Dr. Kidner of sacred memory. We slept in the same bed, took our meals at the same table. This was 59 years ago, but the memory of what I then learned of, and from, the life of Bro. Gore lives most pleasantly with me to this hour. I do not remember to have heard him speak a word or do a thing that was not consistent with the good confession he had made when he took upon him the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the Christians at Ephesus were worthy to be called saints, it is fitting that Bro. Gore be called a saint, and truly he was such.

      As a preacher Bro. Gore was true to the solemn injunction that Paul gave to Timothy, "Preach the word." He believed that faith comes by the hearing of the word, and that the Lord works with the word (Mark 16:20) omitting the word them which is in italics.

      All who attended Bro. Gore's ministry with the desire for edification seldom ever failed to receive [57] what they were seeking. This was his aim, not merely to please but to edify. In his pastoral visits he sought to make a visit a means of grace to those with whom he came in contact. It suits the temper of my mind and gladdens my heart to be able to say that while loyal to the New Testament truths he found occasion to differ from the views held and taught by some. He was ever ready to say with Paul, "Grace be with all them who love our Lord Jesus Christ." He had the spirit of 1 Corinthians 13. He spent much time in preparing young men for the ministry of the word. A fruitful service. There are those now in this work who gladly acknowledge their indebtedness to him, I among the number. As an Editor he did much in helping to build up the Kingdom of God.

THOMAS PORTER, Petersham, N.S.W.      

      Permit me to regard with honour this opportunity to say "Thank you" to the memory of the late Thomas Jefferson Gore, M.A., and to his devoted wife and consecrated family who continue in the "ministry of the Word" so precious to the departed. As an Australian I greatly appreciate Bro. Gore's long loyalty to his adopted country, but particularly his (now historical) foundational and constructive service towards the Restoration Plea of the Churches of Christ, especially in South Australia. This man of God is repeated, by no small measure, in the successful ministries of the many young men who were privileged to have freely received his teaching, and were encouraged by his Christlike personality, mightiness in the Scriptures, and by the virility of his long-drawn passion for souls. It is my great joy to be grateful, if it also be my duty. God must and will reward him. I cannot, except it be in some measure to repeat his sole pleasure and "Commit the same to faithful men, that they may teach others also." One of the many most grateful lives.

NORMAN G. NOBLE, Launceston, Tasmania. [58]      

      When T. J. Gore came to Grote Street in 1866, I had been a member of the church for some months, and was only under his ministry for about two years, and that as a lad. Then partly owing to my long medical study in England and soon afterwards the establishment of the church in North Adelaide, I was never in actual church membership with him again.

      As a preacher and teacher he was very direct and simple, and laboured at his thesis until he had made his meaning quite plain, and had impressed it on the minds of his audience so that no one could fail to understand it. He always liked to visit the church at North Adelaide, which could rely on him to be present at its annual tea and to give some pleasant congratulatory and instructive address. He was of a cheery and amiable disposition, and quite ready for an intelligent jest, and had a quiet humour of his own with a distinct American flavour. We were always the best of friends even to his latest days.

JOS. C. VERCO, Adelaide, S.A.      

      It was my great privilege to be brought into close contact with Bro. T. J. Gore. On returning from the College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A., I studied as a day student under Bro. Gore for two years. He taught me New Testament Greek, Logic, Hermeneutics, Mental Philosophy and Bible subjects. As a teacher Bro. Gore excelled. He had a way of engaging the attention of his pupils. As one who was master of subjects which he handled he had a peculiar gift in being able to simplify things so that the student could the more easily grasp their meaning. As an expositor of the Word of God he was par-excellence. He could get out of a passage of Scripture more than anyone I have known. It was a real treat to listen to his skilful handling of the Bible. Those days I spent sitting at his feet were precious to me, and the knowledge gained from [59] him has proved invaluable in my ministrations to others. And then in later years Bro. Gore and I were associated as teachers in the Students' Classes held in Grote Street Chapel vestry. Some of our foremost preachers in the Commonwealth had their foundation laid in those classes, and a number of men can look back with pleasure to the time when they were instructed by Bro. Gore. He took great delight in training young men as preachers of the gospel. Bro. Gore played a great part in furthering the interests of New Testament Christianity in Australia. He rests from his labours, but his influence for good abides. Under the blessing of God he enriched many lives. "He being dead yet speaks."

A. C. RANKIN, B. Dulwich, S.A.      

      From my earliest boyhood T. Gore has been my helper and friend. I can remember when at five years old he saw me in grief at a funeral he put his hand on me and comforted me. When I was at school it was my great pride to walk around with him as he visited the flock, and it seemed to me that he knew every child along the street, and had a kind word for them. It was always my resolve to do as he did, if ever I became a preacher, and that has been always a great help to me-to get to know all the children.

      As a preacher he was an expositor of the word of God that left his lasting impression on my heart and life. As a teacher he was the greatest help God gave to me next to the influence of my beloved father and mother, and it was a joy and blessing to learn of Christ through such a follower of His. His advice to me was, Always do what you can for God, and He will open up the way for the next step. It is an inspiration to me now to remember that I was privileged to sit at his feet, then to go to his homeland to attend the same University in old Kentucky, go and see his old home, to come back and receive [60] his benediction in my ministry as I followed him at Grote Street, and have him marry me. Till he was called home he was my encourager and father in the Gospel, and there is a sacred and hallowed influence now as I look at this photo. of his dear old face on my study table and feel that though he is with Jesus in the glory-land yet he speaks to me by his loving counsel and saintly Christlike life every day, and will do till we meet again in Heaven.

JAS. E. THOMAS, Balwyn, Victoria.      

      Thomas Jefferson Gore was the friend of young men, and I knew him first when I was a young man. It was my privilege to drive thirteen miles each Tuesday evening to sit at his feet, and then drive home after class. This was my first taste of what had been a blessing to so many before and to others who were to come after.

      Our first study together was Paul's first letter to the Church at Corinth, and I have always loved it more because it was first opened to me by this lovable teacher.

      Then we went off to America, later returning to be associated with Bro. Gore in the work of the ministry. After being home a few months we were invited to become still more closely associated in the teaching of those same classes, and for nearly nine years this delightful fellowship was continued. It was a rich experience to me. Bro. Gore loved to teach. He knew how to teach. He knew how to help a fellow-teacher. We frequently visited his home in company with the students. It was always a happy occasion. Before our evening enjoyment commenced the Divine blessing was always sought. I was always thrilled by the emphasis placed on the closing sentence of his prayers. He always closed with special emphasis on the name of Christ. How real Jesus was to T. J. Gore. No young man could ever say his faith [61] was weakened by any of the teaching of Bro. Gore. He believed Jesus to be THE Christ, THE Son of THE Living God.

      What a glorious challenge comes from contemplation on the life of Bro. Gore. He is not dead, but lives on in the lives of those whom he inspired. One of the joys of old age will be to speak to young men of the noble work of he who was the friend of young men.

IRA A. PATERNOSTER, Norwood, S.A.      

      It was at the impressionable age of 21 that first I came under the direct influence of T. J. Gore, when at Unley, S.A. Especially do I remember an incident that occurred in his Sunday afternoon Bible Class. He asked one of the members to define "conscience." The young man seemed unable even to commence. Our teacher noticing his hesitancy began, "Conscience is that faculty of the mind which"--then pausing abruptly and looking intently at the student, "that's right so far, eh!"

      Then later when privileged to occupy the platform in his stead he would invite the young preacher to have tea with him, and sitting in the study together would soon ask, "What are you preaching about to-night?" On being informed of the subject he would silently walk to his shelves and opening a volume place it before the visitor and say--perhaps--"Moses E. Lard has some very helpful thoughts on that subject," and then he would proceed to occupy himself with his work and thus enable the preacher visitor to peruse in quietness the writer's comments.

      Above all these things, however, there was an indescribable kindliness about him that made me desire his company, and always leave him feeling the higher side of my nature predominating.

      Thoughts of T. J. Gore never fail to inspire happy reflections of strong gentleness.

J. MCG. ABERCROMBIE, Ivanhoe, Vic. [62]      

      It is easy to write an appreciation of one of the most beloved preachers who gave his life and labour for the Churches of Christ in our States, and whose name will be long remembered by all who had the privilege of his friendship and fellowship.

      An interesting item in the diary of the late C. G. Lawson, of Lygon Street and Swanston Street churches, records that on 19th February, 1867, Bro. G. L. Surber and Bro. T. J. Gore arrived by the good ship "Royal Oak" from Liverpool, England, to which port they had proceeded from America en route for Melbourne, Australia. Afternoon tea seems to have been served on the premises of Bro. Zelius, in William Street, Melbourne, where several brethren had foregathered to meet the new arrivals. Within a few days a tea meeting was held at Lygon Street Church as a welcome, and a successful meeting was reported. Bro. Surber took up the work at Lygon Street, and preached with great acceptance; but Bro. Gore chose Adelaide, South Australia, for his field, proceeding there in March, 1867. Of his work in that city and State others will have written.

      Bro. Gore paid brief visits to Melbourne, of which I remember some. When Bro. J. A. Davies was the President of Victorian Conference, about 1900, Bro. Gore was chief speaker at our great meeting in the Melbourne Town Hall. On another occasion Bro. Gore addressed the church in Swanston Street from Ephesians 3:15, "Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." His message was a beautiful one. He spoke of God as the Father of the whole human family, specially of those who became His children by faith in Jesus Christ. He told us of the family obligations of the children. They were to cultivate family love, family pride, family honour, to do nothing by word or deed to bring reproach or shame on the family name. On Bro. Gore's last visit he was an honoured guest in our home; the first occupant of our guest chamber in our [63] present dwelling just after its erection in 1915. His presence was a beautiful benediction and inspiration.

      I recall Bro. Gore's visit to Sydney on the occasion of the centenary celebrations, and his presidency on the Lord's day united communion service in the Sydney Town Hall. All the suburban churches gave up their local meetings and gathered in one great host along with many visitors, both State and Interstate. With charming simplicity, clearness and dignity Bro. Gore rose to all the requirements of a wonderful meeting, and those present will long remember the event.

      Bro. Gore loved peace in the church, and laboured for its progress, and to him would apply the eulogy which Luke gives of Barnabas: "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." Surely his work will be seen in the lives of many in Adelaide, and throughout South Australia and other States of our Commonwealth, who cherish his memory and call his name blessed.

      The lines of Whittier might well be quoted of Bro. Gore:--

ROBERT LYALL, Victoria.      

      There is many a man in our churches, especially those in South Australia, who cannot recall his youth without thinking also of Brother Gore. Gratefully he remembers how, in those years when his ardent spirit felt after ways in which to express his idealism, he sat at the feet of the good old man, and there received vivid impressions that were to remain for life of his honoured teacher's faith, his spirit and his learning.

      To the little, blue-walled class room at Grote Street, with its bookcase and text-cards, the young men came each Tuesday evening, serious-minded, prepared to toil with notes and lessons and examinations. Their [64] little group is scattered now all over Australia, and beyond: their master gone to his reward. But none of them will ever forget that dear master's quaint sayings, patient sympathy and the tender grace with which he dealt with his "young gentlemen," as in his instinctively courteous way he preferred to address them. For that form of address marked the man. Making heavy weather of it and floundering amid the profundities of the epistle to the Romans, those students would at least be in hearty accord with him as they heard his strong American accents, "Ah! young gentlemen, that's deep--deep enough to swim elephants!" And they would catch, too, the blaze of those deep-set eyes shining with pure fun, through their shaggy, overshot brows.

      But now the mighty hand of time has changed youth to later life. The revered teacher has stepped from life's stage behind the curtain of sleep. He is with the Lord Whom he served so long and well. Yet, while memory survives, he will live on in the love and gratitude of his goodly company of "young gentlemen."

A. G. SAUNDERS, B. North Carlton, Vic.      

      Bro. T. J. Gore has stood in the front rank of our Brotherhood for many years as a preacher, teacher and writer. His judgment was always sound, and his counsel wise and safe. My memory of him goes back over many years, and there are few men whose lives have impressed me more than his. His interest in young men who had inclinations towards preaching was always great, but he went further than this, for many were turned facing this great life work by his suggestion and encouragement. He possessed a rare personality which influenced both old and young alike, and this was crowned with a gentle nature and Christlike spirit found in few men, which made him the man of God that he was, beloved by his brethren and all who knew him. His life was wonderfully even, and from all view-points reached a high level; not [65] marked by mountain peaks and deep depressions but an evenness that reached far up the heights his Master walked. The personal touch in my life can never be forgotten. Some impressions we carry with us to the end of the journey, and I believe into the great beyond. Fellowships so sweet and precious cannot be broken or bounded by this brief life, and such are these which it has been my privilege to establish with my beloved brother in Christ, T. J. Gore.

P. A. DICKSON, Canterbury, Vic.      

      It was not my privilege to know Mr. Gore as intimately as those who were connected with him in his own church and State, but what I did see of him taught me to love and respect him. When in South Australia during the Winter and Autumn of 1911 I met Mr. Gore on different occasions in connection with missionary meetings and gatherings. One Lord's day morning I had the joy of hearing him speak at the Lord's table. Seated beside him on the platform I could see he had his address thoroughly prepared, and felt somewhat condemned that one young man, at least, did not prepare his addresses as thoroughly as the speaker. After that service he took me to his home, and the experience of that memorable day will never be forgotten. In looking back over my intercourse and correspondence with Mr. Gore I find he impressed me most by his devotion to Christ, his humility, his thoroughness, his interest in others, and his friendliness. I have been told, by those who heard him, that he preached the Gospel with great clearness and power. "He spake with the authority of a man inspired with the urgency of his own message." He did not seek for popularity, but laboured to get men and women into a right relationship of heart with the Lord Jesus Christ. What was said of another was also true of him, "He lived with a passion--one passion--the absorbingly arduous yet glorious work of proclaiming the grace and love of our Lord [66] and Saviour Jesus Christ." On one occasion a visitor at the Church of Christ Conference rose to speak and the great audience gave him a hearty reception. When the meeting ended the visitor sought to thank Mr. Gore for some helpful words that he had spoken. The thanks were acknowledged and then Mr. Gore drew attention to the great reception the visitor had received. The visitor was impressed with Mr. Gore's genuine, unaffected humility, and no doubt vanity was foreign to him.

      When we parted we felt that we were beginning to get to know each other a little, and from that time we kept up a correspondence. "As cold waters to a thirsty soul so is good news from a far country." His letters were always refreshing and full of interest. He always assured us of his sympathies and prayers.

DOUGLAS F. PIKE, China.      

      As one of the three "old boys" of the first evangelistic training class, may I be permitted to pen a few lines of love and esteem, grateful and reverent, to the memory of my teacher of three and fifty years ago? And first, and perhaps chiefly, his reverence for and love of the Bible, deeply impressed itself on our youthful minds; his quiet dignity made us all feel that while we could freely approach him at all times as teacher and friend, levity and frivolity were distinctly out of place in his presence. His gentleness of manner and speech repressed and refined the boisterousness of our effervescent youth, while his wonderful knowledge of the plan of salvation, and his absolute confidence in it as the supreme remedy for all moral and spiritual evils, filled us with like confidence in the gospel, as God's "power unto salvation." Bro. Gore never lost his deep fraternal interest in his "old boys" even when they became spiritual grandparents themselves, and this thought was to each of them a benediction. May each of us follow him as he followed our Lord and Master--faithful to the end.

G. B. MOYSEY, Victoria. [67]      

      For many years it was my privilege and pleasure to be associated with Bro. Gore. I loved him dearly because of his loyalty to the word and his beautiful Christlike character. As a student in his class, it was a great joy to sit at his feet and learn. It was easier to remember than to forget the lessons he gave. He made things that seemed hard to understand in the ordinary way; simple and easy to understand, because he had the power to rightly divide the word of truth in a very beautiful way. His life was given over to the study of the word, and he did not forget to impart to others the wonderful truths he discovered. He was always so clear that no one could fail to understand what he meant when he delivered his lecture. Although Bro. Gore has gone to his reward, his students are all aver Australia teaching and preaching effectively, because of the information and inspiration he imparted to them.

      I have also been associated with him as a brother preacher. He has been in my home not as a father but as a big brother, loving, kind, gentle, and true, never seeking the praise of men; always humble, and ever ready to serve.

      He came to speak for me at the church on one occasion, and I asked him for his subject, so that I would be able to announce it. He smiled and stroked his beard, a thing he did very often, and said, "Just a little more about Jesus." He preached Jesus, and the Jesus of the New Testament too. We have all been enriched by his life, teaching, preaching and writings. Everything in his life pointed to Christ and his church.

      I never heard him sing, but it is fitting that I should close with a verse of a hymn that I know he loved:--

W. C. BROOKER. [68]      

      It was not my privilege to have the long and close relationship with T. J. Gore which some contributors to this memorial volume enjoyed. I did not know him in the plenitude of his powers, and never once heard him preach. Yet it was my pleasure frequently to meet him, and to hear much of his life and worth from those enjoying a closer fellowship.

      Few men have been loved by their associates in service as was T. J. Gore. Few deserved confidence and esteem more than he, for his life was upright and his character beautiful. Those who knew him will never forget his cheery, lovable disposition, his kindly manner, the geniality of his friendship, his playful humour and quiet courtesy.

      T. J. Gore in the course of his long life rendered faithful and excellent service as preacher, pastor, teacher and writer. As a preacher, he was true to the Word of God. His clear and simple messages indicated his love and careful study of the Scriptures. The theme of his preaching was Christ. Those who knew Mr. Gore as a pastor speak of his untiring labours and the helpfulness of this ministry. As a loving shepherd, he tended the flock of God. For many years he was a regular contributor to our papers, and by his pen commended the Gospel to others, and also instructed the Christians in the faith. In his ordinary church work, Mr. Gore exercised his undoubted gift of teaching. He opened up the Scriptures and led his hearers to an understanding of the deep things of God and an appreciation of the beauties of the Word. But perhaps he gave of his very best to the young men preparing for the Master's service whom he taught in the classes conducted by him for very many years. These learnt to love their teacher. The rare tribute has been paid that "no student was turned empty away from his classes."

      It is impossible for us to estimate the value of the fifty-six years' service for Christ rendered by Mr. [69] Gore in Australia. To me the fact that he settled down to hard pioneering here, while many calls came from churches in his own land, is proof of his quality. He could have succeeded there in much more congenial and lucrative positions, but he was willing to sacrifice, and for the sake of the cause stood by the work in his adopted country. He had a reward on earth, both in the progress and success of the work indicative of the blessing of God, and in the rich measure of love and confidence bestowed upon him by his brethren. He had a greater reward when, after years of happy service, his beloved Master received him unto Himself.

A. R. MAIN. [70]      

[TJG 57-70]