Bibbins, Elisha

Bibbins, Elisha a Methodist Episcopal minister, n was born in Hampton, N. Y., July 16, 1790; was converted November 8, 1805; was licensed to preach in January, 1812, and was admitted on trial in the Genesee Conference in July of the same year. He was for twelve years of his ministry in the effective ranks, three years a supernumerary, and thirty-two years a superannuated preacher. Mr. Bibbins was a man of good natural abilities. His powers of perception were quick, and his reasoning faculties vigorous. His sensibilities were strong and well disciplined. He had a strong sense of the ludicrous. He was always in earnest, a quality which gave almost overwhelming power to his sermons, exhortations, and prayers. He was a good theologian, but a better preacher. In his best moods he poured out a torrent of eloquence which was very effective. He was a man of noble impulses, of a genial nature, of a lofty spirit, of a strong will, and of inexhaustible patience. He died at Scranton, Penn., on the 6th of July, 1859, of disease of the heart. — Peck, Early Methodism (N. Y. 1860, 12mo, p. 489).