Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-06
Our Household
Conducted by
MISS LIZZIE .. THOMAS
OUR GREAT LEADER, JAMES RICH.


AaI 1RAA.
When my Semi " eeKty came last sat
! urday ana 1 saw Mr.. James h. Gray =
picture | saiu: What new appreciation
4 have the people shown him Ana il was
as a boIt from a Clear sky that 1 read
that no more on eartn would the peO-
pie hear MIS- kind voice or be able to go
to him for counsel.
Truly, a neat man has gone from us.
a sane, Christian gentleman, whose heip
was al any time better than you askeu
for, and one that never let personal gain
blind his eyes to the other side OF a
question.
Ills office was not a sinecure. Besides
the tremendous financial responsibility
and the clearness of vision necessary 20
steer The Atlanta Journals course true
~ the Des, IaIcrests VI luv greaI mass
of readers, there were the hundreds of
individuals whose lives touched his daily
and whose conduct was often the result
of his good advice.
There were not two ways for Mr.
Gray. The question of expediency was
not considered. 1t was simply, Us 1t
right" And If II could not be measured
true to the Book, then Mr.. Gray could
not see any other way but to let the
matter alone. One could not go to him
and expect him, trained lawyer though
he was, to help out in any way that
meant evasion or deceit
He was a man that had as much tim,
for the little boy who sold The Journal
as for the men high in It's counsels, If
that little boy had a cause that he
thought only Mr.. Gray could right. I've
seen the out-of-elbows victim of misfor-
tune receive the same courteous consid-
Grafton in that private sanctum, and
have known them to go away with clear
er ideas and a definite hope for future
opportunities right after some magnate
that dominated the great business of
furnishing the best in the world for the
had conferred with that master mind
reading public.
Mr.. Gray was an extremely modest,
retiring man. When great works were
being done, things that have made At
lanta forge to the front in all that is
synonymous with a really successful
city, there were others whose names
were on the banners. but back of it all
one would find Mr. Gray with his Shout
der to the wheel, pushing with might
and main, find him wherever his wis
dom and his unseldshness was most
needed.
In my years of work on The Atlanta
Semi Weekly there have been many
problems to be solved in my depart
Gray's clear insight was marvellous, and
his patience was endless. He gave OF
his time. his educa ton, his experience
as cheerfully and as tactfully to the
lowly as to the great, to the unthank-
full as to the appreciative, and IT is a
comfort to me, now that L am penning
this tribute to remember that Mr. Gray
knew that we appreciated him. Many
times when the strain was a little re-
Taxed and he had time for touch on
personal incidents he was told OF the
good that he was to the lives ABOUT
him. Don't imagine that the flatterer
said much to him, Mr.. Gray was too
clear a reader of men not to see the
axe that was needing his grinding ana
the kindly tone but positive language
was used then.
In thinking of Mr.. Gray. since / read
Fridays Journal there has been one
phase of his life that l notice has not
been touched. 1t is the absolute loyalty
that was accorded him-the great sim
pIicity of his life leaves an uplift that
all of us cannot give, no matter now
anxious we may be to help our asso-
ciates.
Mr.. Gray's sons have lived so close
TO him. he was 50 much companion
tn them that we who love The Journal
NAV rejoice even in our sorrow, 10
know that both of them cast their
young manhood and clean lives into the
work that was so dear to him. ms
wife and daughters also may rejoice
in the memory of their loyalty ana
love. s..
A great man has gone from u.s. out
his example, his printed words. the mon
uments that he leaves all will help
many a man, woman and child even
after many years shall have passed
over US.
Sometimes, oft-times, when such as
MIR. Gray are taken, 1t is human nature
to think why was so-and-so spared
and this one taken And the only
answer Is God lis giving that other
one a chance to do better Tnere
must be no grief because a good man
has gone. He is where we long to BE-
Our sympathy is for the bereaved' Tor
those whose lives will be lonely, ana
for those who have relied on his JUS
tice and mercy. This sudden call may
come to any of us, shall we be as
ready to wrap our cloak about us and
step out into the future that he has
penetrated? If we cannot say Here
Lord, am l." il behooves US TO get right
with God Let us take stock or our
lives, and not refuse 10 see the uh-
pleasant habits, TO say nothing or inc
sins that spring up in our paths. Let
.us meet the facts honestly and give
our whole influence TO the side of right
eousness, let us comfort as well as
sustain those who need us, and In the
end may il be said of us as can SO
we'll be said of Mr.. James Richard
GRAY Servant of God we'll done.
Faithfully yours.
LIZZIE o. THOMAS.
In