The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-11-16
EARTH TO EARTH AND DUST TO DUST.
Funeral Service Yesterday Afternoon.

The Telephone arrived at $40 yesterday
afternoon, bearing the body of the late
w. H. Gray. Accompanying it came his
children and grandchildren. Many mem
bers of the pioneer and historical soci-
ETY., and q large concourse OF citizens
went to the boat, and upon its arrival a
funeral procession was formed, the fol-
lowing sons of pioneers of Astoria acting
as pall-bearers: F. J. Taylor, L. A. Tay-
lor, B. Van Dusen, w. b. Adair, S. d.
Adair, Il. n. Carnahan, Harry Hobson,
Bent. Morrison, Ernest Ferguson, Eben
Rogers.
The cortege proceeded to the First
Presbyterian church, which was draped
in black. A choir, consisting of Mrs.
G. w. Fulton, Mrs. F. j. Taylor, Mrs. G.
j. Trenchard, Mrs. H. +. Praei, Miss
Winnie Mexican, J. Q. A. Bowlby and
j. T. Ross, sang Nearer, My God To
Thee" and "Safe In The Arms of Jesus"
it having been the last wish of the de-
parted that those two hymns be sung at
his funeral.
After a feryent prayer by Rev. DR..
Campbell, the pastor, and short address
on the connection of the deceased with
missionary work, Rev. DIR. Garner spoke
as follows:
am not surprised to see so many citi-
zens present to testify their esteem for
the memory of the departed Mr.. Gray.
We have been accustomed, for so many
years, to see his venerable form amongst
Us that we all shall miss him as though
we had parted with a relative, and as we
miss him we shall mourn for him, as we
do this day.
Mr.. Gray was taken from Us In his ripe
old age. He had accomplished his life
work, and was full of honors. He rests
from his labors, the results of which will
last for the benefit of all succeeding gen.
erations. His transition is his gain. 1t
is right and proper that this afternoon
be set apart by US, who have known him
so we'll and so long, that we may think
over and tell of his many good deeds, his
devotion to principle, to honor, to man.
hood, to God.
l formed the acquaintance of him
whose death we mourn III the summer of
1884. Our acquaintance soon ripened
into an intimacy that continued as long
as he lived. Actuated and influenced by
a common sentiment and interest, many
opportunities were enjoyed and embraced
to study the character of the man-the
aims, objects and purposes that nodded,
guided and controlled his public and
private life-so that / had a more clear
and definite knowledge of him than of
many whose acquaintance l have much
longer enjoyed.
Mr.. Gray was a typical American; in
his love of his country, In his sympathies,
his aspirations. and in his pride, he was
intensely patriOtic-loyal to the interests
of this great republic in every fibre of his
being. The path over which he travelled
was often rugged but he was blessed with
indomitable courage, untiring industry,
and far-seeing sagacity. His patriot
ism was of the loftiest and purest nature.
He was proud-he gloried in the fact
that in our country. and under our in
stitutions, young men enjoyed opportu-
mites and could entertain ambitions and
aspirations unequalled elsewhere on the
face of the globe.
He was q man of the purest affections,
with heart as tender as that of child.
He was possessed of strong, rugged
| common sense that aided him in the dis
charge of all his duties and which pro-
duced confidence in him by those who
knew him; but to know him thoroughly,
to understand something of his ability
| to grapple with great questions, one
wanted to see him in his study surround
ed by his books and papers, and hear
him speak of this great Northwest-its
marvel of wealth in developed and un-
developed resources. have gathered
information and knowledge of
the history and resources of
Oregon and Washington which
believe no other man could impart.
Here he was at home; here he was
skilled; here he had knowledge; and
while he was proud of his whole country,
his pride in this section, his hopes of its
future, his belief in its destiny, were a
part of the man. His faith in its growth
was unbounded: 1t gave him an inspi-
ration; it impelIed him onward in his
career, and by this confidence he stimu-
lated faith in others. He firmly believed
that the city of A. toria had a wonder
full future before it: He tired not in dila-
ting upon the vast possibilities that
spread out before this city.
| In all the relations of life the aims of
Mr.. Gray were high and his purposes un-
seli5h his hands were clean; his Ii fe was
pure and full of the tenderest aft ection
for his family, and now that his labors
on earth are closed, and his voice will no
more be heard by Us; now, when no
more we shall meet his manly form OF
greet his aforementioned cOuntenance
we rejoice to think of these things.
| Mr.. and Mrs. Gray were charter mem
bers of the first Presbyterian church
/
present church on Clatsop plains. II
was whilst both were in this church re-
lation that Mrs. Gray went before" to
wait for his coming. Her memory is
still cherished in air our churches, and
/ the mind of her husband received blow
from which he never fully recovered after
their separation. The one was the COM
plement of the other, and Mr.. Gray often
| felt himself to be a lonely, weary pilgrim
missing her gentle ministrations long
after she had crossed the dark VALLEY OF
DEATH
At the formation of this church Mr.
Gray withdrew from the church at Clat.
sop plains and became charter member
of this church, of which he was a mem
Der to the time of his death. He was
elected to the eldership, but on account
of growing years declined to act. Alto
gether, as we look upon all that could die
of him, we say within ourselves, Know
est thou not that prince and a mighty
man is fallen this day in Israel"
With the surviving relatives of oul
departed friend we sincerely sympathiZe
Your loss is our loss also, but we take
heart of grace when we remember, tha
with him it is better-far better, for h'
is with Christ, whose presence makes
heaven.
The perils of warfare have been sue
ceeded by the honors of victory, and pair
-. from which he often suffered, has givsn
, place to "fullness of joy" Wherefori
comfort one another with these words
Your father, your relative, you will no
!; see again till the heavens be no more
let it be your concern and your earnes
3 endeavor so to live that you may olasl
hands once more by entering through tn
!, gates into that beautiful city. "Repen
and be converted that your sins may b,
: blotted out" Seek, by simple faith in
!, crucified Redeemer to become, like Him
!; follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. An,
what / say to you say to all. Lst u.
!, every one in the strength of the Lor'
: give ourselves most earnestly to the worl
of preparation for our coming change
And now l conclude,
"There is no death:
The stars 60 down to rise upon som
fairer shore,