Harold William Griffis’ long career as a pastor, minister and preacher resulted in an accumulation of an extensive catalog of sermons over 36 years. Unfortunately only a small number of his sermons remain from his library. Most of his sermons were given to a young preacher who was starting his career when Harold passed away on June 30, 1961, the day after his 58th birthday. Evelyn Griffis, Harold’s wife, graciously allowed the young man to comb through his sermons and choose those he wished to keep. The remnants of his sermon files contain 45 sermons. [1]
Additional sermons and written presentations were discovered by Nancy Griffis and have been added to this story.
What is immediately apparent when looking at his sermon files is their twin nature as visual objects and as written documents and notes. Viewing these files as visual objects while at the same time reading his sermon notes for sound and sense, one needs to seize upon the twin beauty of their form and substance. They are points of contact by touch, sight, and thought. [2]
Sermon Notes as Visual Objects
As visual objects they provide a glimpse of how Harold Griffis compiled and managed his sermons on a wide array of paper, different formats and print. They also unintentionally provide an artistic side of his ritual of composing this thoughts on various different paper and through different means of putting ink to paper. His sermons attest to the considerable care he gave to the ritual of composing sermons. Similar to Emily Dickinson’s envelope writings, I think Harold’s sermons should be understood as visual productions. [3]
Each sermon is contained in an eight by eleven envelope. The sermons are handwritten or typewritten. They appear on different types of paper:
- Different colored 8 inch by 11 inch paper;
- 6 3/4 inch by 3 3/4 inch 6 hole punched notebook paper;
- 8 1/2 inch by 5 1/2 inch 3 hole punch notebook paper; and
- index cards.
Occasionally the files also contain copies of newspaper or magazine clippings that originally inspired a sermon. Some of the notes in the files are written in shorthand, a nearly extinct method of writing by means of abbreviations and symbols that were used especially for taking dictation. The hand written notes provide a glimpse of his handwriting and penmanship. The typewritten notes and outlines are especially interesting to view. There were no corrective ribbons on the typewriters that Harold used for typing his sermons. His focus on typing single spaced notes on paper as small as 6 3/4 by 3 3/4 note paper is noteworthy, an art form of its own kind..
One of his most common approaches to organizing his thoughts and subject matter for sermons, talks, and speeches was the use of his portable typewriter. Many of his notes are single spaced, type-written epistles on various sizes of notepaper.
One of the typewriters that Harold used was the portable 1948 Royal Quiet DeLux. It is the last known typewriter that he had in his possession. It is still in fairly good condition and is housed in a traveling case.
As Written documents: the Active Process of Formulating Modern Day Parables
As written documents, the sermon files illustrate how his sermons evolved as creative contemporary parables: based on scripture, contemporary news stories, or personal observations of human nature. Many of the files contain two or three sets or iterations of a sermon. These various versions of sermons are hand written, typewritten and in outline form. They were always a work in process. He may also have replicated the outlines of a sermon in appreviated format, perhaps as refresher notes when he gave a sermon.
Each sermon file is contained in an 8 inch by 11 inch envelope. A sermon file number is marked on the upper right hand corner of the envelope. The logic of the numbering system is not known. It appears that the sermons are numbered in a chronological order based on their creation.
A title of the sermon appears to the left of the file number at the top of the envelope. Underneath the title of the sermon is a list of the places and dates that the particular sermon was given.
The first sermon file is number 0008. It was first delivered at the Freemont Church in August 1922 when Harold was still in college. The last file is number 1242. This sermon was given three months before his death on March 5, 1961 at Trinity Church in Albany, New York.
Newspaper Articles Documenting His Sermons, Speeches and Interviews
Harold Griffis kept a scrapbook of local newspaper articles that documented community and church activities. Some of the newspaper articles not only documented his activities but also the subject of his sermons and talks.
For example, below is a newspaper article on his sermon ‘Slaves on Horseback‘ (sermon file 0171 below) which was given at the Williamstown High School Baccalaureate service for graduates on June 16, 1929.
Another high school graduation address was given to graduates of a technical high school.
An undated newspaper article describes Harold’s sermon on the meaning of Thanksgiving:
Another address, given at a Parent’s Teacher Association meeting in Amsterdam on November 23, 1940, was on the subject of Tolerance.
“We Face Our Social Concerns” a speech provided to the Glens Falls Council of Churches.
Click here to read the newspaper article.
– The Glens Falls times May 29 1959 Page 6
Harold was chosen by a Knickerbocker news staff writer, Ann Olson, in an interview of Albany clergymen of different faiths on view of marriage and marital relationships.
In an eulogy for Harold Griffis, it was noted that:
“Many remember his unusual skill in teaching the Bible and personal prayer; but the most thoughtful preparation to which Harold Griffis gave himself was in the field of corporate prayer. This is where so many of his parishioners will remember him at his best”. [4]
The following is an example of Harold’s gift at a Rotary Club meeting during the Christmas holiday season.
Another reference to Harold’s ability to weave “spiritual truths in the cloak of humor”:
A List of the Existing Sermon Files and Their Contents
The following is a list of the remaining sermons of Harold Griffis. Each title is linked to a PDF version of the original material associated with each sermon. The PDF versions are extracts from a book originally published on the life of Harold Griffis as a Methodist minister [5].
Depending on how the PDF files are viewed (on a phone or tablet versus a computer), it may be easier to read certain sermons by saving and downloading a specific PDF file. You can then increase the view of a given PDF page for reading.
| File Number | Title of Sermon or Speech (click on link to view sermon file) | Placed Sermon or Speech was Given |
| 0008 | Galilee and the Dead Sea | Fremont,NY 08/1922 South Farms, CT 10/1922 Northville, NY 02/1923 Jonesville, NY 10/18/1925 Trinity, Troy, NY 1938 Amsterdam, NY 07/23/1939 |
| 0010 | The Orchestra of Life or How to be Happy | Freemont, NY 08/1922 Plainsville, CT 05/31/1925 Jonesville, NY 07/19/1925 Grooms, NY 07/17/1925 Trinity, Troy, NY 08/22/1957 Amsterdam, NY 10/09/1938 |
| 0059 | Goats, Guns, and Gabriel | Jonesville, NY 05/30/1926 Williamstown, MA 05/24/1926 Trinity, Troy, NY 07/02/1933 |
| 0077 | The House of Obed-Edom | Jonesville, NY 10/17/1926 Grooms, NY 10/17/1926 Williamstown, MA ? Trinity, Troy, NY 12/10/1933 East Main St, Amsterdam, NY 09/22/40 Amsterdam, NY |
| 0090 | The Bag with Holes | Jonesville, NY 01/20/1927 Grooms, NY 01/30/1927 Caroga Lake, NY 07/17/1927 Round Lake, NY Grace, Albany, NY 09/28/1927 Albany /Schenectady Stephentown Hancock SS Association 06/08/1928 Williamstown, MA Trinity, Troy, NY 02/01/31 Revised – Amsterdam, NY 01/09/1944 |
| 0171 | Slaves on Horseback | Williamstown, MA 06/16/1929 Johnstown, NY 08/20/1929 Trinity, Troy, NY 06/01/1929 First Presp. Lansingburg, NY 03/26/1938 Amsterdam High School, NY 06/26/1938 |
| 0186 | Open Windows | Williamstown, NY 1929 Trinity(PM) 07/16/1930 Amsterdam, NY 05/22/1938 Springfield, VT 09/1947 |
| 0192 | Dry Bones (Empty Folder) | Williamstown 12/1/29 Trinity 7/27/1930 North Main 8/10/30 |
| 0194 | The Ship that Never Sailed | Williamstown, MA 12/15/1929 Trinity, Troy, NY 07/20/1930 Amsterdam, NY 07/17/1938 Temple Israel, Amsterdam, NY 01/02/1942 |
| 0202 | The Uncertain Trumpet | Williamstown Trinity, Troy, NY Valley Falls Amsterdam, NY 03/07/1942 Newtown, NY 03/30/47 |
| 0241 | Beauty for Ashes Isiah 61:3 | Trinity, Troy, NY 09/20/1931 Emma Willard, Troy, NY 06/02/1935 Amsterdam C.E Service Bean Hill 07/10/1938 Gloversville YMCA Service Freemont 01/1940 Amsterdam, NY 05/19/1940 Troy WTRY with” When Goodness Turns Sour” |
| 0334 | Our Monuments: What Mean These Stones? | Trinity, Troy, NY 05/28/1933 Amsterdam, NY 05/29/1938 East Main, Amsterdam, NY 05/26/1940 Johnstown 05/28/1944 5th Ave State St, Albany, NY 05/28/1950 Cobbleskill, NY 10/24/1954 Albany, NY Rotary Club 1955 Trinity, Albany, NY |
| 0337 | Children’s Sermons and Stories | Williamstown, MA Rajah of the Kingdom of Truth & Two Springs at Troy Orphanage 07/09/1933 and others all used in Amsterdam, NY |
| 0363 | Spring has Sprung | Troy Kiwanis Club 1931 Grotto, Troy, NY 03/24/1937 1952 |
| 0416 | The Garbage Man (no files in folder) | Trinity Communion 1934 Emma Willard, Troy, NY 06/02/1935 Amsterdam, NY |
| 0427 | Slave Captured on State Street | Trinity, Troy, NY Hoosic Falls, NY Kiwanis Men’s Club – First Gloversville YMCA Schenectady YMCA Troy Kiwanis Club Amsterdam Amsterdam Progressive Class St Luke 1940 Rotary Club, Albany, NY |
| 0446 | New Temples What’s New? | Trinity, Troy, NY 1935 Calvary Albany – Lent 1935 9th Presby, Troy, NY Amsterdam, NY 06/12/1938 Stillwater, NY 04/18/1948 Installation service for PB Showers 5th Ave State St, Albany, NY 10/09/1949 1st Presby, Troy, NY 06/26/1955 |
| 0448 | New Crosses | Trinity, Troy, NY 1935 9th Presby, Troy, NY 03/25/1937 Hagaman 06/08/1939 Frankfurt, NY 04/13/1941 |
| 0475 | Alumni Banquet Gloversville High School | Gloversville, NY 06/1935 |
| 0498 | Fathers and Sons | Troy Jewish Comm Center 1937 Pawling Ave ME Church 11/20/1937 BroadwaySchool, 06/21/1942 Amsterdam Woodrow Wilson PTA 11/20/1945 |
| 0499 | Neighbors Who Inspire | Trinity, Troy, NY 1936 Grace Troy Conference 06/1936 PTA McLeary, Amsterdam, NY 1938 Amsterdam, NY07/30/1944 First Cohoes, NY 08/1953 |
| 0779 | Meet Yourself! Luke 15:17a | Amsterdam, NY 07/18/1943 Hudson Falls, NY 08/1943 First Pittsfield, MA 09/01/1946 5th Ave State St, Albany, NY 10/10/1948 Broadcast |
| 0897 | It’s Up to You & Additional Notes | North Adams Men’s Club Troy Kiwanas Tuesday Club, Troy, NY 05/11/1948 Cohoes, NY Rotary Club 06/09/1948 Milrose Roll Call 03/15/1949 Petersburg 06/06/1949 Poestenkill Men’s Club 11/03/1951 North Main Brotherhood Class – Canajohan, NY 11/08/1951 Albany NY Kiwanis |
| 0900 | We are the Music Makers | Not known |
| 0915 | Weeds Among Wheat Matt 13;24-30 | 5th Ave State St, Albany, NY 08/08/1948 Albany District, NY 1955 East Greenbush, NY 01/1/1958 Fremont, NY Gloversville NY 01/26/1958 Emma Willard, Troy, NY 01/25/1959 Cleverdale, NY 08/23/1959 1st Presby Union Service, NY 08/14/1960 |
| 0921 | You are Missing Something Luke 14;15-24 | 5th Ave State St, Albany, NY 11/14/1948 Hudson Falls, NY 01/04/1949 Broadcast WTRY 01/20/1952 Quacker St, NY 11/14/1954 Trinity, Albany, NY 11/30/1958 |
| 0931 | What Jesus Taught About Prayer | Not Known |
| 0964 | Big Ideas Thinking Abundantly | 5th Ave State St, Albany, NY 12/31/50 Canajaharie, NY 10/23/1955 Clarksville, NY 09/15/1957 |
| 0976 | Make Up Your Mind | 5th Ave State St, Albany, NY 12/31/1950 Hudson Falls Family Night, NY 01/26/51 Troy, NY YMCA N.E. Assoc. of Secty’s Devotional Address 03/27/1951 Waterford, NY LIon’s Club, NY 01/13/1953 Powers PTA 01.27.1953 Armenian Student’s, Troy, NY 10/08/1953 Middleburg, NY Troy HS Rensselaer County School Board, NY 12/14/1955 Albany, NY Rotary Club 10/10/1958 |
| 1019 | Cheer Up! How to Handle Grief John 16:33 | 5th Avenue State Street, Albany NY 10/28/1951 evening |
| 1091 | Here Comes the Devil Luke 8:12 | 5th Avenue State Street, Albany, NY 09/13/1953 Catskill 11/13/1953 First Schenectady NY 11/07/1954 Lafayetter College 03/17/1957 |
| 1103 | A New Greeting Eph 1:2 | 5th Ave State St, Albany, NY 12/27/1953 North chatham, NY 07/11/1954 Newtownville, NY 12/30/1956 Forest Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12/29/1957 Trinity, Albany, NY 12/28/1958 |
| 1130 | A New Look at Hawthorne | Not Known |
| 1131 | Towers in the Desert | RPI 06/1955 Batavia, NY 1958 |
| 1153 | God and Our Work | 1st Reformed, Albany, NY 09/1957 Westminster Albany Union Service, NY 09/04/1960 |
| 1156 | Mountain Shadows | Cleverdale, NY 08/25/1957 |
| 1163 | One Hundred Years | Pine Grove 11/21/1957 Rotary – Johnstown 12/04/1957 Richmondville 03/27/1960 used with 1164 at Ft Hentes |
| 1167 | The House of the Lord | Trinity, Albany, NY 09/21/1958 |
| 1168 | New Worlds Columbus Day | Trinity, Albany, NY 10/12/1958 |
| 1173 | Our Response to God’s Revelation Luke 20:11 | Trinity, Albany, NY 12/07/1958 |
| 1174 | Let Your Life Show the Light | Trinity, Albany, NY |
| 1175 | Heavens and Earth! | Trinity, Albany, NY 12/21/1958 |
| 1176 | Religion and Business | Albany Business School, NY 1958 |
| 1177 | Standing at the Threshold John 1:9 Communion Meditation | Trinity, Albany, NY |
| 1179 | Rubbish Nehemiah 4:10 #see 843 | Trinity, Albany, NY 02/01/1959 |
| 1182 | Walk the Light John 8:12 see #1050 | Trinity, Albany, NY 02/221959 |
| 1183 | No Man Walks Alone John 15:1-5 | Trinity, Albany, NY |
| 1185 | Funeral Meditations | Oakley Kennedy 1959 |
| 1186 | When It Happened | Trinity, Albany, NY 03/29/1959 |
| 1187 | The Christian Sacrament of Joy John 15:11 | Trinity, Albany, NY |
| 1188 | The Fellowship of the Agitated Web 10:24 | Trinity, Albany, NY 04/12/1959 |
| 1191 | The Wrong Way to Do Right | Trinity, Albany, NY 04/12/1959 |
| 1218 | Community Chest | Albany 10/04/1960 |
| 1221 | What is a Saint? All Saints Reformation day Romans 1:7 | Trinity, Troy, NY 05/24/1959 Trinity, Albany 11/20/60 Sermon of the Month |
| 1226 | Now Thank We all Our God or Thanksgiving on a Dark Day | Trinity, Albany, NY 11/27/1960 |
| 1228 | The Incarnation on Lark Street John 3:17 John 12:47 | Trinity, Albany, NY 11/27/1960 |
| 1234 | God in the Shadow: A Study of Hosea Hosea 2:15 13:7 | Trinity, Albany, NY 01/15/1961 |
| 1242 | Enduring the Intolerable John 16:33 | Trinity, Albany 03/05/1961 |
| What is a Diploma? | Commencement Address | |
| An Offer of Power | Not Known | |
| Report on Mexico | Not Known | |
| What Thanksgiving Means to Me | Freshman Assembly, Troy High School 11/23/49 | |
| Three enemies of Democracy | Address at Annual Convention of NYSSBA, Inc Syracuse NY 10/21/1956 | |
| Let Your Life Show the Light | Trinity, Albany NY 01/1959 | |
| Life’s Dead Ends | Trinity, Albany NY 02/1959 | |
| Rubbish | Trinity, Albany NY 02/1959 | |
| What is a Saint? | Trinity, Albany NY 10/1960 | |
| Now Thank We All Our God Thanksgiving on a Dark Day | Trinity, Albany NY 11/20/1960 | |
| Always a Stranger | Trinity, Albany NY 12/18/1960 | |
| God in the Shadow | Trinity, Albany NY 01/15/1961 | |
| The Power of Ten | Not Known |
Sources
[1] The original sermons are part of a Family Archive
[2] The featured image at top of story illustrates the contents of the Harold’s sermon files. The image reflects the file contents of sermon 0976: “Make Up Your Mind“.
[3] Werner, Mark and Jen Bervin, Emily Dickinson: The Gorgeous Nothings, New York: New Directions, 2013, Page 10
[4] Memorial Brochure: Trinity Methodist Church Memorial Service for Harold William Griffis November 26, 1961:
[5] see James F. Griffis (Ed.), Sermons, Notes and Letters of Harold William Griffis, Self published, Blurb: Oct, 2018