The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-13

mentioned title meant THE Minister
which the Church Wants" and this
was really the nub of his inaugural
address in which he did not hesitate to
refer in plain language to the criti-
cisms which might be attached to his
work. and he intimated just as plainly
that he was not the servant Of any
faction or persons. but was a simple
and human priest of God and would
perform his work according to only the
Almighty's commands.
Either in or ou: Of the pulpit DR..
Gifiin shows himself to be equally a
man and preacher. one who knows the
world as well as theology. Scented
sormonets an expression he used in
the morning. are evidently not in his
line. although one would readily be-
lieve after once hearing this versatile
man that things theoretical and analyti-
cal are to him easily accessible. Ap-
parently he is one who has deemed it
necessary to study humanity and ma
terial things. to study the object, in
order to know how best to influence
it, At all events there was not te-
dious or tiresome moment during his
yesterdays addresses. which indicated
that at the outset he had judged right
ly his new congregation.
HIS STYLE OF ADDRESS.
DR.. Gifiln breaches without notes and
his manner Is much more like that of
a finished public orator than preach
er He dCes not appear to have any
more trimmings or rhetorical dressings
to his sneech than he does to his oten,
hearty and outspoken personality. In
the pulpit. or, rather, around the pull
1 Il to
position or spot, he talks plainly and
earnestly seemingly without being con-
scious of conspicuity. His posture is
never forced nor STACEY; he is simply
natural. and with constant gesture and
facial expression gives an easy force
to his thought and words. This versa
tility is always in evidence with him
as when one moment he leans over the
pulpit and slowly and distinctly utters
some expression he wishes to particu-
larly emphasize, or walks to the edge
of the platform to do it; or when his
face reveals the sadness of another
thought or is clothed in sternness in
expressing some thing that is abhorent.
At all times he calls black black" and
calls white white running the
chances Of being senstively plain rath-
er than being misunderstood
In private life he is perfectly free
and ready to be approached, one who
evidently wishes to keep in touch, to
be acquainted with the world, men
and things in order that he may be
better able to reach these objects
through the medium Of his church and
theology. Such Is an inadequate PEN
picture Of man who seems destined
to be much talked about in Scranton
and the Wyoming conference of the
Methodist church.
SKETCH OF DIR. GIFFIN.
DR.. GifIin began his ministry in Ohio
and came here from the Methodist
Episcopal church of Mount Vernon. n.
Y. of wha. is considered the best
conference in this country and in which
Dr.. CifIin has had the best pastorates
He was born. III Cincinnati and in his
earlier years pursued that kind of an
| education which. it was intended
| should have best fitted him for legal
| study II was while studying In the
Cincinnati Law school where he was
the boy student of the institution and
| where Hon. Benjamin Butterworth was
| his classmate and frefsl. that he de-
cided to enter the ministry. However
he graduated and was admitted to the
bar, after his pastoral work began in
the Cincinnati conference. After be-
ing but u brief period in that confer
ence he was invited to Brooklyn where
! he served many years at the follow
! ing churches: Seventh Avenue, Nos
trand Avenue. First Place and Grace
! churches. In that New York East con
ference he has also been pastor at New
Haven and Mount Vernon. from which
| place he ceme to Scranton. The Mount
! Vernon church. is one OF the best and
most important in the great conference
on the borders Of which T. IL located
This congregation is largely composed
of businc IS men whose offices and
stores are located in New York city.
DR.. Ciftin has been pastor Ia Balti-
more and CovingtOn. the latter ap-
pointment being at lInion church. con.
spicuous throughout Methodism on &C,
count OF Amos Shinkle being its CHIEF
member. Mr., shinkic was considered