Lincoln-Knox-Kennebec County ME Archives News.....MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS TO O C GRAY January 1906
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Bill Boggess william-boggess@webtv.net and Bill Boggess  February 19, 2006, 12:04 pm

The Fayetteville Daily January 1906

(transcribed: 02/15/06) 

Copy courtesy of Arkansas History Commission. 

Published in The Fayetteville Daily. 
Saturday Evening January 6, 1906 

           ----------

   To the W M Wardens and Brethren of Washington Lodge 

No,1 A F & A Masons, Fayetteville, Arkansas. [1st Masonic Lodge in Arkansas] 

      We your committee, appointed to draft a suitable expression of the sense of
the Lodge, in view of the death of Brother O C Gray, beg leave to report the
following Memorial Resolutions and move to adopt, viz:  
 
      It is upon occasion such as this that we must all realize the futility of
human language, the utter inadequacy of verbal expression. We have lost a dearly
beloved friend, an honored member, a zealous and learned craftsman, a beloved
frater, a faithful companion, an ever courteous, valiant and chivalrous Sir Night;
yet we have no language to express our sense of loss, or words that will sound the
depth of our sorrow. But we know the summons of the Supreme Grand Master found our
loved Frater ready; That the message fell upon a stilling ear; and that the loss is
our brother's eternal gain. 

     We must be men, before we can become Masons, and, inall the relations of life,
Col Gray was, essentially, a man of commanding presence and engaging appearance, he
was admired by all with whom he came in contact; his ripe scholarship, his integrity
of character, his gentleness of deportment, and the absolute sincerity of his
convictions endeared him to his friends and won the cordial respect of is opponents;
while the strength of his affections, the purity of is life, and his engaging
qualities of head and heart rendered him peculiarly happy in all his domestic
relations. His public life was, mainly, spent in teaching, and death found him at
his post. 

     For many years he was professor of Mathematics in our state university and for
several years of the time, also served as Commandant and the student that did not
love and honor Col Gray was a rare exception. Born and reared in the state of Maine,
Col Gray came to Arkansas soon after completing his college course [Colby College],
and when war was declared in '61, he abandoned the school room, donned the gray and
fought for four years in behalf of his adopted Southland; earning upon many a field
the title that he bore throughout the remainder of his life. When, in '74 the
re-construction trouble threatened to terminate in war, Col Gray, who was then at
the head of St John's College, at Little Rock, upon the call of the governor,
mustered his cadets and reported for active service; ready, as ever, to fight in
support of his convictions. Another strong characteristic of Col Gray was his
unselfishness. He would readily condone a wrong or injury personal to himself; but
was ever strong to condemn and quick to resent any injury or injustice suffered by a
friend. Yet his counsel was always wise and prudent, and his supply of oil for
troubled waters as unfailing as the widow's curse. To his friends he was a friend
indeed; the familiar friend in whom the soul trusted and could well trust. 

      As a Mason, Brother Gray was a skillful, learned and faithful craftsman;
renowned throughout the state as a learned and zealous Mason; a co-worker with and
the peer of such distinguished Masons as English, Barber, and Henry. During all the
years of his active membership in this lodge. Brother Gray was ever primus inter
pares. Regular in his attendance, able and we see his face no more; but his life
remains with us as a benediction, and his example is ever before us. "the path of
the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."


  Therefore, Be it Resolved, That in the death of Brother Gray this lodge, the
Masonic fraternity of the City and Masonry throughout the state have suffered an
irreparable loss. 

      That the foregoing Memorial be and the same is hereby adopted, as expressing
the sense of this lodge, in view of the occasion: 

      That we earnestly and deeply sympathize with the widow and family of our
deceased Brother,and commend them to Him who alone can afford comfort and
consulation. 

      That our altar, stations, and working tools be draped in mourning, for the
full period of thirty days: and 

      That this Memorial, with appending Resolutions, be spread at full length upon
our records; and that a certified copy of same be given the widow and family of
deceased. 

      All of which is fraternally submitted. 

            E B Wall, ) 
         Jas J Vaulx, )- Com. 
         J F Reagan. ) 

====================================================== 

(transcribed: (02/14/06) 

Copy courtesy of Arkansas History Commission 


Published in The Fayetteville Daily 
January 29, 1906. 


Resolution of Baldwin Commandery No 4 on the Death of Brother Oliver C Gray. 

          To the officers and members of Baldwin Commandery No 4. 


We, your committee appointed to draft suitable resolutions on the death of our
beloved Frater, Oliver C Gray, beg leave to make the following report and more its
adoption with the accompanying resolutions: 

  Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, in his wise Providence, to take out of
this world the soul of our deceased Frater, we bow with reverence and humility to
the Divine will and hereby express our appreciation of Brother Gray's character. 

  As a Mason from the first to the thirty-second degree ad from the Blue Lodge to
the Asylum, it was not alone or principally the Ritual and the outward ceremonies;
he observed and loved those because they embodied and taught the deep principles of
proper living. 

      As a lover of Symbolic Masonry he endeavored to circumscribe his actions and
keep his passions within due bonds, squaring his actions by the principles of virtue
and morality, walking uprightly toward God and men ever remembering that he was
traveling on the level of time to that county from whose bourne no traveler returns.


      As a Caputulor(?) Mason he was clothed with fervency(?) and zeal ever ready to
dispense light and knowledge to his less informed brethren and endued with that
purity of heart and restitude(?) of conduct that should characterize every one who
seeks to enter the sacred Tabernacle above. 

  He was a true Knight Templar who xxxx strove to keep his vows. He was a Knight
without fest and without reproach, ever bearing himself courteously, gallantly and
knightly. He was a man of unsullied reputation and spotless scutcheon who was ever
ready to help the down trodden and oppressed and to draw his sword in defense of
destitute widows, helpless orphans, innocent maidens, and the christian religion. 

     Our Frater's pilgrimage ended and his warelare(?) accomplished and
he now rests in the Asylum of Peter, the Paradise of God. Peace be to his ashes and
may light perpetual shine upon him. 

      Resolved, that , in mourning the loss of our dear Frater, we thank God for his
good example and pray to Him to give us grace so to pass the time of our pilgrimage
and to accomplish our warfare as to be accounted worthy to enter into the Asylum of
Perpetual Rest. 


      Resolved, that a copy of this preamble and these resolutions be sent his widow
and family with the assurance that their sorrow is our sorrow. 


  Resolved, that a copy be sent to the city papers to be printed in their daily and
weekly issues. 


      Jas J Vaulx, 
      H F Rengan, 
      C H Brough, 


Approved in open Commanding Jan 25th A D, 1906, A O 7SS. 

Frank Hill, 
Recorder.

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