The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-21

D..ru or On. GRrrrN.-This long expected, and
In Some respects gratifying event, occurred this
morning al about O'Clock The venerable man, II Is
known 20 his friends generally has long been ON the
decline having borne wearisome and prolracIed
illness OF Aydra-tioraE with remarkable patience and
resignation. His numerous friends abroad, and the
friends and Of the Christian church, OF which he
has been for forty years SO distinguished an orna-
meni will be gralihed 10 learn thai he died as he
lived in the full faith of the gospel, without muir
muir or a pang. II was in truth glorious exit-a
death that such man night be expected TO die. And
those whose privilege was 10 witness 1t might well
unite in the thanksgiving OF the patient HIMSELF on
recent occasion, that 1t is the privilege OF good
men To die"
This is not the time or place for full notice of
the life and labors of this eminent and eloquent
divine. That duty will be the appropriate work OF
another and ADLER hand We can barely recur 10
some chief incidents in his history.
DIR. Griffin was born at East Haddam, Connecti-
cut the second son of George Griffin, an independent
farmer of that place, Jan. 9th, ITO He graduated
at Yale College, in i79o, at the age OF 20 and re-
ceived his theological education under the ID Presi
dent Edwards, al New Haven. He was ordained al
New Hartford, in June, l795, and installed as Col
league of the Rev. Dr. McWhorter, then pastor of
the Presbyterian church in this place. in Oct 1901
The entire charge Of the congregation deyolved
upon him by the death Of DIR, McWhorter in 1907
About two years after he was invited TO the profess
sorshp of pulpit eloquence in the theological Sc
minary at Andoyer, and was inaugurated IN 800.
church, Boston, in July, 1911.
In June 1915, he returned to this city at the invi-
tation OF the I'd Presbyterian church, which had
been then but recently formed out OF the congrega-
ton in which he had before presided with eminent
ability and success, He was again removed from
Newark, in the full maturity of his powers and use
fulness By a call 10 the Presidency of Williams
College, Mass, in November, 1921, having been in
augurated on the l4th of that month This station
he was compelled TO resign in August, 1886, after
service Of fifteen years, account Of i'll health, and
finally returned to this city, and became member
of the family OF his son-n-aw, DIR. L. A. SMITH I'M
der whose skilful care he has since lived and where
he has most happily terminated life Of distinguish
ed honor and usefulness Mrs. G. it will be remem-
bsred died in July last having preceded her husband
about three months. DR.. G. leaves two children
both daughters, to inherit name I" which is better
than riches
Thus has passed away one of the first Of men ::
such man as this world seldom sees in the prom-
nent characteristics of both his mind and person, as
well as in the peculiar qualities of his heart He was
altogether Of more princely mould than even the
majority of the great men of his day. As preacher
he possessed liberal portion of all the faculties and
qualities which fit men to subserve the great interests
OF society upon large scale.
Few ever excelled him in the pulpit As speaker
and as writer, he had singular power to enlighten
and persuade, to please, to charm, to astonsh. he
united the decorations that belong to fine talents 10
the penetration and judgment that designate an acute
and solid mind But this is not the place for an
analysis of his character. His praise is in all the
churches and those who have enjoyed the benefit of
his rare abilities and impressive eloquence need no
other illustration.
Since he retired in great measure from public
view, his days have been spent in languor of body,
with no prospect of returning health, but his last
days We're in other respects eInphaticaly his best
days, and notwithstanding his great bodily infrmi-
ties, were passed in light and Joy.
The funeral services will be attended in the LIST
church on Friday. The sermon will be preached,
are happy 10 say, by the Rev. DR.. Spring, an
early friend Of the deceased. -Ne,rark ADJ.