| Richard W. Gray |  |
| Dr. Richard W. Gray was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1911.
After the age of 12 he lived in Philadelphia, Pa., until attending Wheaton College from 1930-1934. Following graduation from Wheaton, he received the M.Div. at Westminster Theological Seminary (1937). He was married in 1936 to Emily MacDonald, who shared his pastorates at Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC), East Orange, N.J., 1936-46; Calvary Presbyterian Church (OPC), Bridgeton, N.J., 1946-50; Calvary Presbyterian Church (RPCES), Willow Grove, Pa., 1950-73; and Coventry |
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Apart from his pastoral duties in four churches, Dr. Gray participated in a wide variety of denominational and intellectual activities. At various times he:
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The people who fell under Dick Gray's ministry
were as diverse and varied as his multi-faceted personality, yet all found
common ground in his infectious enthusiasm for the Kingdom of God.
From a young counselee: "I thank God for the vast help that Dr. Gray has
been in my life. I came to him in desperate anxiety. He allowed me to
expose all that was ugly and frightful. He was both utterly trustworthy
and wisely insightful. God used him to lead me into the health and maturity
and objectivity about myself which now is a part of my abundant and joyfilled
life."
From a ministerial colleague: "Although in God's providence Dick and I
were working on the most recent church problem from different sides of
it, I want you to know that that in now way diminished my admiration and
esteem for him as one of the God-given leaders to the RP Church.I particularly
appreciated his openness to new ideas and his willingness to encourage
the young ministers. At the same time, no one could question his concern
for the welfare of the churches and his tireless energy on their behalf."
From a former elder and long-term friend: "[Dick] had a capacity for concentration
and single-mindedness that was maddening, and a capacity for empathy that
was healing.He could have written books of great significance, if he had
the patience. He was one of only several individuals it was my privilege
to know who had the mind of an intellectual explorer, a discoverer of
principles, relationships between what are too often labeled 'spiritual'
and 'intellectual.' He thought and wanted others to think, and this caused
him undeserved difficulties because thinking is painful. He shunned superficial
statements that would have won him acceptance among those believers who
limit orthodoxy to set phrases. He bore the risk of being considered not
Biblical enough, in order to be truly Biblical. He held unswervingly that
the Bible is true, but not the only truth, and he sought, I believe in
the Biblical manner, Truth."
"Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink,
and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the
few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot. Moreover, when
God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them,
to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom
reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with
gladness of heart." (Ecc. 5:18-20)
See also the Memorial spread upon the Minutes of the Executive Board of National Presbyterian Missions, for April 9 - 11, 1979 (page 197).