The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-02
0 b I T u A RIES.
IN MEMORIAM.
William f. c.. Gregory Jr.

from chlldhood Is unlike the keen luxury that
ATTENDS the return of the prodigal The one re-
celves Gods forgiveness early. and the other
late in life. Hence the promise in Isaiah is .
| Feace to him that is near" and Peace to HIM
that is far off" But, while in either case II is
a blessed thing, because certifying to the peni
tent that his name is inscribed in Gods eternal
book yet, the peace of him who has been sat
lshed early with Gods mercy" is the profounder
and the better of the two 1t has more of beav
ems deep tranquility and more of heavens init
macy with God. 1t is better, too, because it
robs memory of Its power to recall the past with
remorseful associations
And while as yet no marble shaft marks the
spot so dear, and chlseled characters tell not 20
passers-by the simple story of his life: while as
yet the leaves OF autumn are suffered to fall I'M
molested upon the fresh flowers that soon shall
wither on his grave: let us look upon his own
true monument which for himself he raised
while yet he lived
The subject of this memorial notice was born
IN Amelia county, Va, on the 31st day of May
1861, and died In the city of Washington, D. c.,
on the 18th day of September, 1881
When only eight years old. he asked to be
received into the communion of the Tabb Street
Presbyterian church in Petersburg, Va, and the
only ground on which the Session decided not
to receive him, was his tender age. When two
years had passed, he renewed his request under
the following interesting circumstances
| Oho VI young COLnpanlOnS-a little girl
somewhat older than himself-became interest
ed on the subject of religion when he suggested
to his mother that some one should ask her to
remain In the enquiry meeting To this his
mother replied; William, why don't you ask
herr? His answer was: How can I do so,
when L am not a member of the church," This
arrow trans6xed the hearts of his parents. who
gave him consent to apply again for admission.
| He called early the next morning to see Rev.
Dr. E. III. Rutherford, the pastor, and when told
| by the servant that the minister was not at
home, he left a message requesting an interview
at o'clock that afternoon. The interview was
held, and its result was his union with the
church on the 18th day of April 1870. In the
light OF subsequent events, how precious to the
memory Is this picture the little fellow, seated
IN the minister's study-his feet not touching
the foor-and asking to be allowed to make
before the world profession of his faith in the
divine Redeemer
In the autumn of 1872. when II years of age,
he was entered at the University School of Mr.
W. Gordon McCabe, in which, through success
sive years, he won and maintained reputation
for honest study and ardent piety. I behold
again In memory the familiar and manly face of
the boy, when timidly and halt-ashamed he
came to his first recitation and as touching that
and all after studies | have this testimony to
make, that, whatever else he may have forgot
ten, he never forgot to be Christian gentle
man.
From the University School he passed in the
fall of 1877 to Randolp PHI Macon College at Ash.
land Va. In the midst of his studies there he
received from Senator Joseph E. Johnston and
accepted an invitation to a position of trust at
the National Capitol. This position he filled
with high credit to himself till the day of his
death.
In his leisure hours at Washington he read
Law, and at the Commencement last spring he
graduated with distinction from the Columbian
University
The piety of some professed believers cannot
be transplanted with safety. 1t is one thing at
home, and quite different thing away from
home, 1t tiourishes vigorously in the absence of
strong temptation, but languishes under irving
exposure. 1t is worth while, then, to record
the testimony of one who knew him intimately
in Washington, and had every opportunity to
observe his daily life :" He was singularly
free, says this writer, " from every vice and
was scrupulous attendant upon the services of
the church-the Presbyterian-in which he was
reared. And. best of ALL he illustrated the GEN
ulneness of his Christian principles by the in
tegrlty and purity of his life, and by the gentle
ness, sweetness, and modesty of his manners in
his daily intercourse with others. 1t is so rare
to see young men with lives so stainless and with
manners so lovable that it was impossible not
to admire and almost wonder at the perfection
of his character"
The last Sabbath his mother spent with him.
while on visit to Washington a short time be
fore his death, they partook of the Lords Sup
per together. He said it was the sweetest com
munlon season of his life When his mother
expressed regret that his father was not pre-.
sent he remarked: My heart went out to Vir-
glnla and communed with him in the Spirit"
singular fact may be stated in this connection
viz that his parents are unable to recall an in
stance In which he was ever wilfully disobedient.
The body was brought to Richmond under an
escort composed of student from Randolph Ma
con College and young men from the clerical
department. at Washington. The funeral was
from Rev DR.. Hoge's church and the burial in
Hollywood on Sabbath, October I'd.
1t would have pleased the writer best. had he
been laid to sleep in old Blandford Cemeterv
meath the friendly shadow Of the ivy. mantled
crumbling relic of colonial days-that
so frequently saw his bright and boyis6 face
with the winds through the trees under which
ne so often strolled signing for all time sad
requiem to his memory.
Two lessons at least remain to us from this
retrospect Q) the power Of even short life to
accomplish great good, and (2) the invaluable
comfort to the bereaved flowing from beautl-
ful and consistent Christian life
From an old English tombstone. beneath the
accumulated moss Of long years, would tran
scribe the following beautiful lines:
Forgive, blest shade the tributary tear
That mourns thy exit from a world like this
Forgive the wish that w'd have kept thee here.
And stayed thy progress to the seats of bliss p
WEE