The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

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while listening to Henry Riiffner—who had then just entered the University, but who afterwards
became a D. D., and was for many years President of Washington College—after repeatedly calling
attention by crying out "hear," he confused the young minister not a little by rising in his place
and saying, so all could hear, "I pronounce you an inside workman." This anecdote is told to
illustrate the discriminating judgment of the old man.
His memory was good, his judgment sound, and his character irreproachable. He was very
industrious, always busy at something. Was not a speedy workman, but steady and sure.
^largaret Finley, his wife, was the daughter, by his third wife (he having had four), of
William Finley, a brother of the celebrated Samuel Finley, D. D., for many years President of
Princeton (N. J.) College (and grand-father of Prof. Morse, inventor of the telegraph), and of Rev.
James Finley, of Western Pennsylvania, an eminent minister, and projenitor of a numerous -race
(see Dr. Joseph Smith's Old Redstone), and of Michael Finley, one of whose grand-sons was lately
Governor of Pennsylvania. She was in many respects a remarkable person. She was born in
Chester County, Pa., in 1751; removed, when very young, to Adams Co.; lost her mother at the
age of twelve, and at seventeen became a member of the Presbyterian Church; married at the age
of nineteen, and was a member of the Bethel Church from the time of its organization. She lived
twenty-two years a widow; at the age of ninety-five was able to walk a distance of half a mile;
resided in the same place, near Greenville, Augusta County, Va. , for seventy-seven years. She lived
to the age of ninety-six, letting her light shine to the last with a distinct, though mild and charming
brilliancy, that made her society agreeable to all classes and ages, and eagerly sought by many.
When young she must have been very pretty, sprightly and attractive. As a housekeeper,
it could not be said that she was a Martha, but a Mary who chose the "better part." In fact,
it is doubtful whether one so intelligent, and with such a taste for literature, could avoid looking
upon the routine duties of housekeeping, in any other light than secondary.
In many respects her mind was much above mediocrity, and had it been highly cultivated
she might have been eminent. While her children were young and the cares of her family great,
she always kept a book at hand to read whenever she had a leisure moment. In this way she
read and re-read many books, and having a wonderfully retentive memory, her intelligence, especially
on religious subjects, was surprising to all who knew her. To her the bible was the book of
books. It was her constant companion, and as a consequence her familiarity w-ith it was great.
She could at once tell where to find any passage that might be quoted—often the chapter and
verse—and could repeat whole chapters from memory. She was remarkably fond of poetry, and
could repeat it by the hour. Among her favorite authors were Watts, Young, Steele, Newton,
Milton, Hannah, Moore, and Allen Ramsey.
She had committed much fugitive poetry of her younger days, both "grave and gay, lively
and severe," and often entertained her young friends by repeating it. She enjoyed herself much,
even to the last, in the company of young ladies, with whom she was very popular. Though she
often amused and always interested, she never failed to instruct and edify. She recollected a great
many amusing, interesting and instructive anecdotes, for her memory was a perfect storehouse.
She remembered te.xts and subjects from which she heard sermons when she was eight years old,
the first sermon which impressed her being at that time.
For years her memory was impaired by age, excepting on religious subjects, which had long
been, in her estimation, "the one thing needful." Religion not only never seemed to be absent
from her mind, but for years was always uppermost. She looked forward to the future life often
with extascy, for example, when the hymn commencing, "I would not live always," first made its
appearance, she committed it to memory, and afterwards, when a friend, by her request, was
smging and came to the words, "Where the Saints of all ages," Ac, she raised herself up, her
countenance brightened with enthusiasm, and said, "Can it be possible that I shall so soon be
with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, with David, the Prophets, the .Apostles and Martys, and the