The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

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sweetness was added the higher charm of that wisdom which is from above— 'First pure and then
peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated.'
"With few faults himself, he was always patient and charitable towards the faults of others.
"He was a man of extraordinary acquirements, not only in the line of his own profession^
but in almost every department of learning, and yet was without anything like pretension oi
pedantry, seeming, in his intercourse with his fellow men, to be seeking rather to learn than id
instruct.
"Faithful and conscientious in the discharge of every dut}', whether personal or official, he
was always tenderly considerate of the feelings of others, never wounding even those he was
compelled to reprove, and manifesting always a kind and ready sympathy with all who were in
trouble or distress.
"Clear in his convictions, pure in his life, noble and exalted in his purposes, unswerving
in his devotion to truth, his career has been a fine example of all that is admirable in a Christian
gentleman and faithful Minister of the Gospel. " *
"If I were going to characterize dear Dr. Humphrey in any way, it would be to say that
he was marked by great fineness of structure everywhere—in the physical realm, m the affectionate
realm, and in the realm of thought and volition. He was beautifully wrought, and of fine mold
and temper. I would say the fineness of the fibre rather than the strength of fibre characterized
the man. He had strength, but it was willowy rather than oak like. It could bend, but it \yas
not the bending of pliancy—not the bending of the wavering. It showed that it had root and
anchorage; that it was great strength with beautiful pliancy, that enabled him to adopt himself to
every condition with which he met. He had that rare adjustability of mind that Paul possessed^
so that he could be, as Paul was, all things to all men, if he could win anythmg. He had a
rare sweet courtesy. His sweetness was his strength. His lips must always have gone to school
to his heart, for they ever coined the most golden speech. It was here that he put a sentinel at
the door, and so was always on guard. If I should say anything special about his thought-life^
it would be to say that it was characterized by thoroughness. He had an antipathy against slip-
shod service. He made chips, but he always made them in his workshop. All he did in public
was a structure in breadth and organization, complete in itself and finished—like the man. In
his spiritual life the chief thing was consecration. He had laid all en God's altar, and without
reservation dedicated himself to his Master's work. He was a fine spirit in a fine body I'l-'ing a
fine life. Thus his life was rounded into a beautiful and holy completeness." j
In his home life, and indeed everywhere, he was remarkable ior his fine vein of socia)
liumor, which bubbled up and shone and sparkled in all his hours, and which made him the
central joy of every social or family circle cheered by his presence. The same sweetness of
manner, ready repartee and elevated sentiment so well known as family traits were eminent in
him, throwing out on every side a genial mellow radiance which endeared him to all. A memorial
of him, edited by his brother-in-law. Rev. Dr. David Torrey, is full of these genial reminiscenses.
Not tliat Dr. Humphrey was trivial, but he had the rare faculty of seeing the bright and humorous
side of common things, and so making them sources ot enjoyment and instruction as well.
His death occurred at Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio, 13 Nov., 1881.
His funeral services were held Nov. i6th, in the old Lane Seminary Chapel. Rev. Dr. E.
D. Morris preached a sermon on the occasion. His remains were then taken to Chicago, 111.,
where they were interred in Graceland Cemetery, beside those of two of his children. The funeral
services held in Chicago, at the home of Mr. Charles M. Henderson, were of a very interesting character.
His widow res. (1882) Walnut HiUs, Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1884. at Lake Forest, 111.
• From the resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of Cincinnati College, of which Dr. Humphrey was president.
1 From the address at the funeral services in Chicago, Hi , by Rev. Dr. Heirlrk |,ilinson.