Gray was born at Aberdeen, 2 November 1805, went first to a school kept by Gilbert, father of Forbes Falconer, and afterwards to Marischal College, where he graduated Master of Arts in 1824, and passed through the theological course (1824-1828).
University of Aberdeen.
He was licensed to preach by the Aberdeen presbytery 25 June 1829, and became minister of a chapel-of-ease at Woodside, near Aberdeen, 1 September 1831. On 14 July 1836, he was appointed minister of the West Church, Perth, where he remained till his death. Gray was a very energetic leader in the controversies which resulted in the disruption of 1843 and the foundation of the Free Church.
A pamphlet by him, ‘The present Conflict between Civil and Ecclesiastical Courts examined,’ Edinburgh, 1839, had a wide circulation and great influence.
His new church was opened 28 October 1843. In 1845, he drew up at the request of the Free church leaders ‘A Catechism of the Principles of the Free Church’ (1845 and 1848), which involved him in a controversy with the Duke of Argyll.
In December 1841, Gray was commissioned to visit Switzerland to express the sympathy of the Free Church with the suspended ministers of the Canton de Vaud. He extended his tour to Constantinople.
In 1855, he was appointed convener of the Glasgow evangelisation committee, and he was always active in home missions and in spreading education.
Failing health made another long continental tour necessary in 1859. He died at Perth 10 March 1861. Robert Smith Candlish collected nineteen of Gray"s sermons, with memoir and portrait, under the title ‘Gospel Contrasts and Parallels,’ Edinburgh, 1862.
He publicly defended the Anti-Patronage Society as early as 1825, and agitated for the Chapels Acting, by which ministers of chapels-of-ease became members of presbyteries.
In 1834 he was admitted under this act a member of the Aberdeen presbytery.
