Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-17
PAYS HIGH TRLBUTS
TO URLAH GREGORY
Friend Of Many Years Speaks Glow
incIy Of Work for Children
Done by. Great and
Good Man

The death of DIR. Uriah Gregory has
called forth the following glowing tribute
on his life and work from Elizabeth
Baker Bohan. who was his friend for
many years:
Whenever the soul of a man passes into
the great unknown and the newspapers
announce 1t to the world, ones mind in
stinctively turns back over the pathway
he has trod and that shall know his
footsteps no more. One remembers his
turns to the right or to the left, and one
pronounces judgment upon that other
soul. This judgment must needs be often
Incorrect, of course, owing to ignorance
of the many things that enter into the
making of each life.
The Rev. DR.. Uriah Gregory has fin
ished his work and passed away from all
the turmoil of earth; let one who has
known him well for years tell those who
read of the death of this good old man
little-a very little-of what his life
meant to Los Angeles and so to the
world. Few men, indeed, have reason to
be so glad that their deeds will live after
them. Few men, indeed. can look at ap-
preaching death with such calmness, such
gladness, such undaunted faith in the
divine order of the universe. The two
great questions that we must all ask he
has answered. How shall l live? How
shall 1 die? First, 1 shall live my life
serving Gods helpless little ones Second,
L shall die glorifyirg my Maker who gave
me the power to serve his little ones "It
might have BEEN" had no place in all his
triumphant years, for they were always
filed with the grand 1T is He had
but to conceive of thing as being good
and desirable, and he Immediately worked
1T out into a living reality And Oh, at
what a personal cost! 1t is this personal
cost that stamps his labors with the shin
ing letters of the word victory. Having
served as pastor, editor and college pres
ident, also in the army in time of our
country's need, he was II years of age
when he felt the need of rescuing home
less boys. 1t was his nature to buckle
on his armor and go to work whenever
he heard the call; so, even at that ad-
vanced age, he determined to spend the
remainder of his life working to turn
poor penniless boys into wel-trained,
law abiding citizens. The cry of the
street waif was the saddest cry of the
world to him. Divulging his great plan
of building a home and training school
for them to his friend, Gail B. Johnson,
he was handed as first contribution the
sum of 500. This little sum he looked
upon as sacred gift. 1t was the key,
opening door through which he saw
heavenly vista of consecrated usefulness.
Ee used to look at it and say: Commit
thy way into the Lord; trust also in him.
and he shall bring it to pass"
Judge Bicknell and others followed with
substantial gifts. People reminded him
of his old age in vain. He never once
doubted the outcome. There will be
home for poor boys before / die" he
said. for God is the builder" What
monument to him is the Mckinney homei
1t cost hearts blood and toll, and the
stings of enemies for he was too shining
plished. Where hundreds of boys now
bless his beloved name, thousands will in
future, for a work like that is ever cumu-
lative.
The passing of good man is the pass
ing of great man, let who will say to
the contrary; but when to goodness are
added understanding and unshaken faith
then indeed does the victorious one wear
a triple crown. Farewell, DR.. Gregory,
lover of humanity Gods agent in a great
and noble work. farewell. We are glad
that your deeds will live after you, for
they will draw others to the path of
service, which is the only path worth
treading. How poor is this small tribute
weighed against your worth. but the Nc
Kinley home stands, sheltering now a |
hundred loving, sorrowing lads to whom
you were tender father. a gentle teach
er, a safe and sure guide. Loving for
giving. faithful soul, farewell. You have
even now heard the words:
'Well done, thou good and faithful servant |
enter thou into the JOY Of thy Lord