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Rev. John Griffing's Obituary

Brother John Griffing was among the cherished and honored fathers of the conference, loved for his virtues, and respected for his successful services. He was converted at the age of twenty-four under the labors of the Rev. P. Cook and the genuineness of the work was evinced by the great change apparent in his conduct. It is believed by those who knew him best, that his piety from the time of his conversion up to the hour of his death, was an ever growing expression – deepening, growing, widening and rolling on with increasing grandeur, as a mighty river moving toward the ocean – his call to the ministry was by the Holy Ghost. This was evinced by those invariable works set forth in our excellent book of discipline, gifts, grace, and usefulness. He was admitted on trial in the Genesee Conference in 1814, several years before the organization of the Oneida Conference. At the end of two years, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop George and two years after, he was ordained an elder by Bishop Roberts. His ministerial course was marked by a Holy Apostolical zeal.

A generous yearning sympathy for his fellow men always dwelt in his heart, manifested by labors and anxieties evinced in the history of few men in any age of the church. Aside from the ardent toils upon the respective charges, he served the preachers who have labored at Owego; and other charges in that portion of our work will call to mind his hearty cooperation in helping forward the work of God.

Though in love with all good people, he was an ardent friend of the church of his choice – all her doctrines,  usages and peculiarities, he loved and defended with ability and success. In his last sickness, which was protracted and painful, he was sustained by the spirit of that Gospel he so long preached.

He was taken unwell the evening Conference closed, came home, went to his work, preached but a few times, then returned to his family as he said, “to die.” Some weeks before his death he observed, “I think I shall not get well. I have been an unprofitable servant.” He then added, “My hope is in God. [But] I am willing to live and labor and suffer, if it is His will.” But still said he, “I am ready to go. I feel that all will be well.”

He then proceeded to give directions in regard to his funeral and observed, as to the notice of his death he wanted but little said. The day before he died he was able to converse a little, but he appeared to be quite on the verge of Heaven from the expression on his countenance, and the raising of his hand, and the signs he gave in answer to questions like the following, “Is Jesus precious? Is your way clear?” On the morning of his death, being sensible that his time had come, reviving a little, addressed his weeping companion and family this; “Farewell, I am going. Farewell neighbors. All is well, all is well.” He fell asleep in Jesus December 22nd, 1844, aged sixty years.

Thus closed the career of this amiable, useful and honored minister of Christ. For more than thirty years he had labored, suffered, rejoiced, and wept – as a Methodist Itinerant preacher. He has gone. May we his sons in the Gospel catch his mantel of zeal and holiness.