His weight in gold

During the March 1861 session of the Kansas Annual Conference, Rev. James Griffing was appointed to the Auburn and Superior Circuit. This circuit was within the bounds of the Baldwin City District, which was presided over by Rev. James Shaw. In Reminiscences of Pioneer Life in Kansas, Rev. Shaw wrote about his tour of this district:

My first quarterly meeting this year was on the Tecumseh work, held near Big Springs. At Tecumseh we had no church building, but a good thriving society, with several worthy members. Major [Mac] Martin, who has since been Indian Agent, was then living there, and selling goods. He was the recording steward. Father Jordan, an old preacher, lived there, but was too feeble to preach. His strong faith and exemplary life were, however, exerting an excellent influence on the community.

Dr. D. Dickinson, from the Iowa Conference, was employed as their supply this year. He afterwards transferred to this Conference. He was a man of mature judgment and experience, and although feeble in health, was young and buoyant in spirit. He labored with all the vigor of youth. The church gathered permanency under his administration. He afterwards superannuated, and for some time was State Librarian.

Our next quarterly meeting was on the Auburn and Superior circuit. Mr. J. S. Griffin[g], was their preacher. The quarterly meeting was to be held at Superior. This was one of the towns that “was to be,” but was not. The company had built a large house for a hotel, and that was about all that had been done. The hotel has since been converted into a cheese factory, and Burlingame has swallowed up the town. Brother Sheldon, a brother of Sister Paddock, had settled near here on a farm. Brother Griffin[g] was living on his farm, between Tecumseh and Topeka. After a comfortable night’s rest at his house, in company with him, we started for the quarterly meeting. We drove to Auburn, and stopped with Dr. Bonebrake for dinner.

This commenced my first acquaintance with the members of the church on the south side of the Kaw River, and I found them an interesting, warm hearted and noble people. We took dinner with Sister Bonebrake, the Doctor being absent from home. We reached Superior that evening, and stopped with Brother Sheldon, and met a most cordial welcome. We readily saw the pastor had the confidence and sympathies of his people. The meeting was held in a house used as a schoolhouse. I tried to preach on Saturday, and hold quarterly conference, but was not able to be out Sunday morning on account of a very painful gathering on one side of my face; so Brother Griffin had to hold lovefeast, and preach at eleven o’clock.

This charge was among the best in the Conference, embracing a good country, settled with intelligent, enterprising and cultured families from the older States. The church gradually spread, and became a power for good in the land.

Rev. James Shaw
from Reminiscences of Pioneer Life in Kansas

In reflecting on the changes in the Methodist Conference in Kansas during his career, Rev. James Shaw would later single out some of his associates and record some fond memories in his book, published in 1886. One of these was Rev. James Griffing:

James S. Griffin[g] was one of the original number who composed the Kansas and Nebraska Conference. He was a young man, with a good mind, well cultured, and had a good education. He was constitutionally diffident, modest, and retiring in his deportment, but firm, and established as a Christian; warm and kind as a friend; zealous, and practical as a preacher; faithful, and diligent as a pastor; exact, and conscientious in all his dealings – so easy, pure, and true, that he exerted on all around him a most excellent influence. In short, such a man is worth his weight in gold – a jewel of inestimable value. He had a warm place in every heart that knew him. He never failed to build up the interest of the church where he was stationed. But the Master has “called him from labor to refreshment.” I met him at the first Conference I attended in Kansas, and was associated with him in the Master’s work for four years in succession, and always found him firm and reliable. I have worshipped with him at quarterly meetings and camp meeting, and was always profited by his society. I am glad I ever made his acquaintance. It is pleasant to call up these recollections; yea! joyful to meditate on those hallowed hours when we took sweet counsel together, and side by side engaged in the work of the Lord with one heart, and one mind, “while glory crowned the mercy seat.” But I am sad when I think I shall see his face no more on earth.