Rev. D.J. Stafford, D.D. of Washington, D.C.

              Rev. D. J. Stafford, D. D. 
Of Washington D. C.
Annual Tour
Subjects. . . 
Hamlet
Macbeth
Julius Caesar
The American Citizen
Eloquence in Shakespeare
Dickens, his Power and Pathos
Ireland’s Struggle for Life and Liberty (the ’98 movement)
The Brockway Lecture Bureau
6101 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.
Season of 1904-1905
BIOGRAPHICAL
REV. D. J. STAFFORD, D. D.
(Reprinted from THE WASHINGTON POST.)
AMONG the many learned and talented divines in the Catholic Church in this and other countries, it is doubtful whether, at so young an age, any man has acquired t]ie eminent distinction and wide reputation of the Eev. D. J. STAFFORD, D. D. Although but thirty-four years of age, Dr. Stafford by his remarkable literary and oratorical ability in presenting theological and philosophical subjects, has made a record for himself which commands the admiration of Christian people of all denominations, and will give his name a prominent place in the lists of the great preachers and lecturers of the century.
*    *    *
On one occasion when Dr. Stafford delivered a charity lecture in the Baltimore Cathedral it is a matter of record that 2,000 people were turned away, while the building was crowded from the vesti¬bule to the sanctuary.
In personal appearance Dr. Stafford is extremely prepossessing. He is young and handsome, and seems to possess all the qualities that go to make up a wonderful man. He has a marvelously sweet and powerful voice, over which he has absolute control, and is a master of expression. He is a profound thinker and a perfect elo¬cutionist, and is graceful in all his manners. It has been a wonder to his friends that Dr. Stafford in all his sermons and lectures has not lost some of the fiery ardor of his earliest days in the work, but each of his sermons appears to be fresher and more powerful. He is thoroughly in love with his work, and no one can spend an hour in his presence without catching the spirit of his enthusiasm.
*    *    *
Dr. Stafford possesses an unusual knowledge of Shakespeare, his conception of that author's work being profound and poetic. He has one of the finest Shakesperian libraries in the country, and makes a specialty of lecturing upon subjects pertaining to that great mas¬ter. It is unusual for a minister in the Catholic Church to address audiences composed of others than members of that church, but Dr. Stafford has delivered lectures before infidel societies, free think¬er. Jewish congregations, labor assemblies, and the Young Men's Christian Association. He was one of the orators at the World V Fair, also.
PRESS OPINIONS..
•* As a lecturer he has no equal."—Canton Repository,
«*An orator of national reputation."—Washington Star,
u -pn Stafford satisfies the most critical.',—Boston Globe,
««^qnderful literary qualifications."
—"Gath" in New  York Sun,
♦'Powerful, masterful, and satisfying."
—Philadelphia Enquirzr,
"One of the greatest living masters of expression."
—New York Sun.
li One of the greatest preachers and lecturers of the century."— Washington Post.
« A profound thinker and a perfect orator; if equalled Le is not excelled."—Buffalo Times.
"Profound thought, perfect elocution, intensely dram-itic delivery."—Cleveland Sun and Voice.
"He has all the polished fineness of Booth, and the tfbust fierceness of Salvini."—Cleveland Press.
" Profound thought, intense delivery, perfect oratory. [Dr. Stafford is the personification of eloquence."
— Washington Post.
•• Dr. Stafford's reputation is national. If he has an equal, he has no superior. Throngs attend him whe»*^ver be lectures."—The Baltimore Sun.
I " Dr. Stafford lectured in the Cathedral lar .v^ening. / Fully <),000 people were packed in the building, and 2,000 ' were turned away."—Baltimore Sun.
" A superb voice, a splendid stage appearance, a won-Iderfully well-studied oratorical finish and an ideal elocu-|t,(>nist."—The Catholic Universe, Cleveland, Ohio.
From the start to the finish of one hour aud fifty min¬utes address, except for the bursts of applause, you could have heard even a pin drop."—Cleveland Plain Dealer.
'* Dr. Stafford is famous all over the country for his ■quence and learning.     He makes a lasting impression wherever he appears."—The Baltimore American,
" A splendid demonstration of rare analytical thought 1 and inteliectual  ability, combined with wonderful  elocu¬tionary powers."—The Family, Philadelphia, Pa.
"Dr.  Stafford held the audience breathless with the I wonderful power of oratory  and  astonished them by his learning/'-  The Phoenix, Brattleboro, Vermont.
" Most generous applause greeted the splendid elocu¬tion and fine sentiments, and the dramatic passages held ■e audience breathless.''—Courier Journal, Eouisville, Ky.
" People come to St. Peters and wait patiently for hours
IJohear Dr. Stafford.    No one has made such an impression
* Baltimore, and this year after year,"—Baltimore Herald.
V Those who were present at this scholarly lecture will |*ng cherish the memory of the burning eloquence and I wamatic ability of the youug priest."
—Philadelphia Evening Bitlletin,
44 Dr. Stafford shows research and scholarship—marvel-8 ^cilily of expression, and in the readings wonderful dualities of voice and great dramatic power."
—Philadelphia Standard and Times,
" Dr. Stafford gives a masterful analysis of the play His conception ml it is profound and poetic, and his inter pretations equal \o those of the greatest masters."
— The Baltimore Sun.
" Dr. Stafford's lecture on Macbeth is a tremendous and soul stirring rendition of the most powerful of the poet's productions, told with exquisite dramatic effect."
—Scranton Tribune.
" His powers as an orator are realized from the first sentence uttered, and from that moment to the end you hear only him, see only him, al3 else is forgotten.
—Elmira  Telegram.
V Eloquence and elocution cultivated to the highest de¬gree. Voice of marvelous power, sweetness and flexibility —poetic style, graceful manner, appearance—all that makes the orator."—Georgetown College Journal.
" Dr. Stafford is the only lecturer who has filled Metzer-ott's Hall. Last evening at his lecture on Hamlet, standing room could not be had, and the lecture was a superb piece of work.    Those who stood were well repaid."
— Washington Times.
•'Nothing could be more entertaining or instru :tive than Dr. Stafford's lectures. He gives you all po.= uble liter¬ary, critical, and philosophical explanations, and reads the lines and impersonates the characters in a way that can not be surpassed."—Scranton, Truth.
" The greatest literary and oratorical treat we ever have had in this city was Dr. Stafford's lecture at the Opera House. What beautiful language, how beautifully ex¬pressed ! What poetic thought and grace and polish of manner !"—Richmond Times.
" No one knows the sweetness and beauty of the Eng¬lish language until they they hear that incomparable orator, Rev. Dr. Stafford, of Washington, D. C. His thought is deep, his learning great, his grace of manner, magnetism, and art beyond any speaker before the public."
—Augusta Ch ronicle.
" Dr. Stafford excels in dramatic style. He has a magnificent voice which is under perfect control. The speaker holds that oratory is a living power, and the influ¬ence which it exerts over society is ever apparent, and will always be potent. Rare elocution, unusual knowledge oi Shakespeare."—Cleveland Plain Dealer,
"Dr. Stafford's illustrations, especially in the sclilo-quies, gave marked force to his lecture. He has for this purpose notable advantages of bearing, and presents a voice musically sonorous and perfectly controlled, and a finishing touch of art that suits the action to the word."
■—Ph ila delph ia L edgcr.
11 Dr. Stafford is a young man to have a national repu¬tation for oratory, eloquence, and learning. But such is the case, and the honor is well merited. He has lectured in this city before all kinds of audiences, Catholic and Prot-entaut, Jew and Gentile, Christian and Agnostic He has given satisfaction to all by his matchless eloquence and profound learning."—Baltimore Sun.
"He has a robust physique with splendid features, a clear strong and resonant voice. His readings from the bard's immortal lines are worthy of Booth or Barrett.1 I.-d^d    in   many   respects    he surpasses either.    His into- nations and emphasis evince a breadth, and comprehen¬sion, and subtleness of penetration such as is rarely met with."—Scranton Republican.
"At the public meeting held to arrange for the reception of the District Volunteers returning from Santiago, ad¬dresses were made by Postmaster General Smith, Cor¬poral Tanner, and Dr. Stafford. Dr. Stafford's exalted patriotism and fiery eloquence threw the audience into a frenzy of delight and created a pandemonium of ap¬plause."—Washington Post.
"Metzerott's Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity last Thursday evening, when Rev. Dr. Stafford, D.D., de¬livered his eloquent lecture on 'Hamlet.' Dr. Stafford is admitted to be one of the best living interpreters of Shakespeare's immortal plays, and his lecture Thursday evening fully maintained his reputation as a scholar and an orator. The vast audience frequently manifested its pleasure by bursts of applause."—The Church News.
"The crowds gather two or three hours before the sermon in St. Peter's to hear the Rev. Dr. Stafford, and wait patiently in the dark all that time. Scenes like these have never been witnessed in Baltimore. Moody's throngs of listeners are about the nearest approach. Spurgeon and Beecher did no more, and Dr. Stafford does this con¬stantly the winter through. Last Sunday he preached to 6,000 people in the  Cathedral."—Baltimore Herald.
"Dr. Stafford is a wonderful platform speaker. Sum up his qualities and they make a wonderful ensemble— thorough and appreciative literary taste, power of analysis, refined diction, a voice that flows from womanly delicacy to deep, rich diapason—'dear, distinct utterance; great elocutionary and dramatic power; a rare grace and fer¬tility of gesture. Add to this a fine stage presence and a mysterious something that makes the subject and /the; characters alive, and you have a remarkable man."
—Wilkesbarre Leader.
"Every seat in Metzerott's Music Hall was sold long before Dr. Stafford stepped upon the stage to deliver his lecture on 'Hamlet' last night.
"Notwithstanding the inclement weather, hundredrs were turned away who wished to hear the greatest of pulpit orators.                 *       *       *
"Dr. Stafford's ability as a public speaker is too well known to need any further comment. In his lecture last night, however, it was apparent that the deep theologian and brilliant preacher was also a deep student of the early English drama. His character study and psychological' analysis of the 'Melancholy Dane' was a masterpiece of thought and language."—Washington Times.
"Since the beginning of Lent all roads on Sunday night lead to St. Peter's. On the second Sunday of this penitential season the Rev. Dr. D. J. Stafford, the silver-tongued orator, began a series of sermons, and the scenes at St. Peter's last year, which attracted so much attention, have been re-enacted this year, only in an amplified man¬ner. On last Sunday night the streets around St. Peter's were wonderful in their animation. The Rev. Dr. Staf¬ford spoke for one hour and fifty minutes. The church was so crowded that women grew faint; even the sanc¬tuary was filled and the hallway leading out into the rec¬tory. Outside, on the streets, both on Poppleton and Hollins streets, there were at least 2,000 people who could not squeeze into the edifice. Every sort of means was re¬sorted to in order to gain an entrance."
—Baltimore American.
The following are extracts from notices of Dr. Staf¬ford's address at the mass meeting held by the citizens of Washington, to express sympathy with the suffering Christians in Armenia:
"On the platform were seated Justice Harlan, wu presided; Father Stafford, Dr. Talmage, Dr. Newrna Dr. Butler, Miss Clara Barton, Frederick D. Greene and Miss Krikorian. * * * * Justice Harlan then intro. duced Dr. Stafford. As the young priest stepped forward he was greeted with prolonged applause, and for three or four minutes was unable to proceed. Frequently during his eloquent and beautiful address Father Stafford was in¬terrupted by bursts of applause."—Washington Post.
"Justice Harlan then called upon Rev. Dr. Stafford who responded amid applause that fairly shook the build¬ing to its foundation."—Washington Times.
"Dr. Stafford is a gentleman of pleasing presence, and his thoughtful, handsome head and face bear strong marks of the fountain of intelligence within.
"His analysis of Hamlet was the most intellectual and charming presentation of the kind ever heard in this city.
"He treated the subject with pure and polished diction, leaving no awkward contrasts between his own eloquent expressions and the imperishable lines of the greatest of all English writers.
"Falling easily from the critic into the true interpreter —the actor—'he portrayed the character in such magnificent manner as to sweep his audience along by his own master spirit, until the tension would break into enthusiastic ap¬plause.
"It is hard to believe, not having heard Dr. Stafford, that so deep and broad a pleasure could be built of so in¬tangible material, and the results were in themselves a trib¬ute to the intellectual power of the man."—Richmond Times.
"WASHINGTON, D. C, Jan. 26.—(Special Correspond¬ence). Dr. Stafford, of the Catholic hierarchy, preaches here twice a month, and he can fill a church fuller than any other divine who lives here or who comes here. To get a seat in the cathedral one must go hours before he begins his sermon. Every time it is announced that he will preach Protestants crowd out Catholics, and perhaps one-third of his audience is composed of Protestants. I have never seen a man who has seen him, and some of them competent judges, who does not regard him as the foremost orator on the American continent. He can fill a lecture hall brim full, and the other night, when it was raining a deluge, the largest lecture hall in the city was overflowing to hear his lecture on 'Hamlet,' which is said to be a wonderful pro¬duction. He and Dr. Talmage appeared on the same plat¬form the other night and addressed a meeting called to sympathize with the persecuted Armenians. I read Dr. Stafford's speech and it was a thrilling and beautiful ad¬dress. The Atlantic seaboard is agreed in regarding him as the greatest living orator."—"SAVOYARD/' in Louisville Times.
BALTIMORE, May 4.—Cardinal Gibbons announced to¬day the transfer of Rev. D. J. Stafford, the famous pulpit orator, from St. Peter's Catholic church here, to St. Pat rick's church in Washington.
The change will go into effect following next Sunday. In the transfer Washington secures concededly and with¬out exception the most eloquent preacher in the Catholic Church in America. He is just 32 years of age, but ever since his ordination and the beginning of his service at the Cleveland cathedral he has attracted the most marked at¬tention. Since his coming to Baltimore no clergyman has received the same share of attention.
During the last series of Lenten sermons from 2,000 to 3,000 people each Sunday night were unable to gain admit¬tance to St. Peter's church.    It was Dr. Stafford who tooK the bold step of breaking down the barrier between Chris-tians and Jews here to the extent of lecturing before a select congregation of the latter.    He also created a deal o talk a year ago by appearing single handed before a ^af^ body of infidels here and combating them with unsparing vigor, and at the close of his address they almost carrie him on their shoulders.--Washington Times.