By BARBARA WALKIN, Senior FN Reporter

Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventists were joined by political leaders, government officials and a cross section of Grand Bahamians Sunday afternoon at the Freeport Seventh-day Adventist Church to celebrate the life of a man they all agreed was taken too soon, but who left behind an impeccable legacy.

Pastor Dr. Keith D. Albury, 48, president of North Bahamas Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, had a home-going service fit for a statesman. Prime Minister Perry G. Christie; Leader of the Free National Movement Hubert A. Ingraham; Cabinet Ministers Obie Wilchcombe, Shane Gibson, and Glenys Hanna-Martin were among those who came from far and near to pay their respects.

In tribute after tribute from family, friends and religious colleagues, Pastor Albury was described as a visionary and dedicated leader, who left an indelible mark on the lives of the thousands of people he touched.

In his remarks Prime Minister Christie said the challenge left as a result of Pastor Keith's passing is for the Church to write and publish his story.

"We have an opportunity to recognize that there is a story to be told of a young man who came from simple beginnings in Harbour Island, coming to Yellow Elder, going to Government High and — in the vernacular of the streets — hustled through college, because he didn't have the means and family support," Prime Minister Christie said.

He noted that although Pastor Albury went through college the "old fashion way, demonstrating that spirit we have in The Bahamas, that indomitable spirit, about not giving up even when being knocked down, but getting up and dusting yourself off and moving forward to achieve your goals." That, added the Prime Minister, was Pastor Keith's life; that is his story. Mr. Christie suggested that this is opportunity the Northern Mission to assign some of its scholars to write that story and to "publish a book, so that all of the things we heard which not just only speaks to the contribution of developing a church, of broadening the leadership in the church and having the leadership impact the country, but also that individual story about seven times down, eight times up."

Pastor Albury's story said the Prime Minister, should be instilled in the nation's young people that despite the odds it "can be done, you can accomplish your goals."

Prime Minister Christie advised the church and family of Pastor Albury to continue his legacy and "remain committed to what he began."

Mr. Ingraham, in his brief remarks, recalled meeting Pastor Albury at an event they both attended some years ago.

"He impressed me immediately," Mr. Ingraham said. "His breath of knowledge, his understanding and expressed conviction and focus caused me to inquiry about him."