Washington and Jefferson College - Pandora Yearbook (Washington, PA)

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REV. DAVID GFIEGG, D. D., LL. D. REV. DAVID H. GFIEER, D. D., LL. D

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Biugraphiral :5Iu:trIJ uf Bra. Dauih Gbrrgg. 19. B., llll. B. 8 8 3 HE FOLLOWING is taken from a biography of Rev. David Gregg, D. D., LL. D., which appeared in the April number of The P1147517 in the year 1897 : - It may be well said of Dr. Gregg, as it was spoken of Timothy: 'From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures! He imbibed their knowledge with his mother's milk. To study the Scriptures is in his case a law of heredity, and that law has been followed cheerfully and faithfully all his life. The character of his parentage ensures his early training in the 2 i4 f way he should go, for there is no better stock for biblical trained children than that from B which Dr. Gregg is descended, that of the Scottish-Covenanters of 1683. Dr. Gregg is the son of David and Mary M. Gregg, and was born in Pittsburg, Pa., March 25, 18415. His father, until his death in 1892, was an elder in the Central Reformed Presbyterian Church of Allegheny City. ln tl1e principles of that Church his son was strictly educated 3 but his secular training was conducted in the public schools of Allegheny and Pittsburg. At the age of fifteen he entered VVash- ington and Jefferson College, graduating in 1865. A class mate has said that, ' Although David Gregg was tl1e youngest man in his class, yet he was by far the best orator. He took two honors during his college course, and bore them gracefully. He was the best known student in town, and no one was more popular in college and town than he.' Leaving Washington and Jefferson, he entered the Allegheny Theological Seminary. After coin- pleting l1is course there he went abroad for a year, traveling in England, Scotland and the Continent. He returned to America in 1871. Sdarcely was he landed when numerous calls were extended to this new and untriecl minister. But all were declined. However, a renewal of the call from the Third Reformed Presby- terian Church of Brooklyn induced him to accept this call. Shortly after being installed, the editorship of Our l2amzer, a monthly church magazine, was given him. He continued this editorship for thirteen years, during which time the circulation increased fourfold. 16...

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The pulpits to which Dr. Gregg has been called are the leading pulpits of their respective denomina- tions, Covenanter, Congregational and Presbyterian. The Covenanter pulpit which he was then filling had formerly been occupied by the renowned Dr. J. R. W. Sloan, also a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College. Dr. Gregg was in this pulpit sixteen and one-half years, and every year was one of unprecedented prosperity. During his pastorage in New York City he was chosen Moderator of the Covenanter Church, being the youngest man that had ever presided over the deliberations of that august body. During this time he had received several calls from Providence, from Boston, and from Pittsburg. All of these calls were declined, however, and he remained in his New York pastorage until tendered a call by the historic Park Street Church of Boston. This is the largest Congregational Church in New England, the home of Congregationalism. His father was bitterly opposed to his leaving the Covenanter Church, and wl1e11 David finally announced his decision to accept the call, his millionaire father, who was a close communist, disinherited him. This is the price he had to pay for liberty and progression. The price was paid without a regret. Money is trash in comparison with mental independence. Dr. Gregg left this Church in a flourishing condition. There was not an unpleasant thing in his pastorage in Boston. VVhen he was about to leave, the public press said : ' He has won the hearts of all.' Journalists, college professors of Harvard and Boston Universities, and the leading citizens of Boston, joined in petitioning him to remain. But when he decided to go to Brooklyn, all bade him Godspeed. He still holds the hearts of the Boston people, and whenever he preaches in the old church, the great auditorium is crowded, and people sitting on camp stools and on the pulpit steps. These brief words will give some idea of the pastor who has shown himself earnest, forceful, and progressive. He is ranked as tl1e greatest of the living divines for which the City of Churches is famous. In his study, high up in the church tower, away from the world, he studies the Scriptures, communes with God, and prepares the magnificent sermons in which the way of salvation is made plain, the ways of God vindicated to man, the objector confounded, and an answer is made ready for every one that asks him a reason for the hope that is in him. -9-