Person:James Griffing (9)

[Mary Elizabeth Giddings from 2787254.ged]

REFN54 Newspaper Clippings: Obituary -- REV. J. S. GRIFFING Rev. J.S. Griffi ng was born in Owego, N.Y., October, 1822, and died April 3rd, 1882, aged fif ty-nine years and six months. He was blessed with religious training from ch ildhood. Converted in youth, he turned his attention to a thorough preparati on for the work of the ministry, to which he was called of God. Early in lif e he entered the Wesleyan University at Middletown Ct., and completed the cou rse, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, In 1854, having receive d license to preach, he was appointed missionary to the Indians at Wyandotte, with Rev. W.H. Good[e] as superintendent of the mission. He continued in thi s work two years. In the History of Methodism beyond the Mississippi, Bro. G ood[e] refers to him as a very promising young minister, and very successfula s a missionary. In the fall of 1856 he became a member of the Kansas and Nebr aska conference. He was one of the number who organized the conference. He received the following appointments in the conference: In 1856, Topeka; 18 57, Fremont; 1858, Indianola; 1859, Big Springs; 1860, Tecumseh; 1861-2, Aub urn; 1863, Tecumseh; 1864-5-6, Seneca; 1867, Centralia; 1868, Junction City; 1869, North Lawrence; 1870-1, Riley; 1872-3. Blue Valley; and from 1874 until the close of the last conference in March, he was in charge of Manhattan Sec ond Church. It was his great desire to continue in the regular work of themi nistry until death should close his labors. His desire was granted. He serv ed the [Methodist] church as a true and faithful minister of the gospel over twenty-eight years. As to his Christian character, it may be truly said, "He w as a good man, full of faith and the Holy Ghost." He represented the Christi an life in its completeness, as but few have done. From a long life of pract ice in righteousness, his sense of right, of honesty, was very clear, and his eye of faith was strong and bright. To preach the gospel was his first wo rk. All things else were secondary. Very many throughout the Kansas Confere nces remember Bro. Griffing as a faithful preacher and a faithful pastor. He traveled far, often through storms severe, to reach his appointments. His ru le was, "never disappoint a congregation." He visited from house to house, a nd talked with parents and children around the hearth stone, on the subject o f religion; and many fathers and mothers in Israel were encouraged, and many children were taught to give themselves in the days of their youth, to the se rvices of Christ. Although his tongue is now still in death, his Christian e xample will live on. "Though dead, he is yet speaking." A very great compan y -- part in heaven and part on the way -- have been saved through his agency , and they will rise up and call him blessed. "blessed are the dead who di e in the Lord, for they rest from their labors, and their works do followthem ." Newspaper clipping: We are pained to chronicle that Rev. J.S. Griffing's a ttack on the brain has so seriously affected his mind that his physicians rec ommend his removal to the Insane Asylum of Kansas, and a large circle offrien ds will be surprised and grieved to learn of the affliction that has befall en him. His family has the sympathy of the entire community, whose earnest p rayer is that this bereavement will not be of long duration. Newspaper clippin g: The following resolutions were unanimously adopted at the meeting of the Manhattan District Conference, held at Clay Center, May 16th to 18th, 1882, a nd their publication in the Manhattan papers was requested: Resolved, That in the death of our beloved brother, J.S. Griffing, the church has lost one of i ts true and trusted friends, and its ministry a self-sacrificing and loyal pr eacher. Resolved, That we hereby tender the bereaved family our sympathyin the ir great sorrow, and earnestly pray that

1. ↑ GEDCOM File : 457632[1].ged.

   16 Mar 2002

2. ↑ Mary Elizabeth Giddings from 2787254.ged.

   Date of Import: Nov 24, 2008

3. ↑ Mary Elizabeth Giddings from 2787254.ged.

   Date of Import: Nov 24, 2008

4. ↑ Mary Elizabeth Giddings from 2787254.ged.

   Date of Import: Nov 24, 2008

5. ↑ Mary Elizabeth Giddings from 2787254.ged.

   Date of Import: Nov 24, 2008