The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

popularity is doubtless to be found in what I would call the remarkable symmetry of his character
— the high and beautiful qualities of his mind and heart. His intellect was of a high order; he
possessed a sound judgment, strong and penetrating mind, a quick and accurate discrimination;
combined with these, and even in a still higher degree, was a high sense of honor, strict conscien-
tiousness, a nice sense of propriety and a tender heart; these qualities, rarely found so strongly
and proportionably combined in the same character, gave him a quickness of mind and an ease
and suavity of manner that at once found access to the heart of every one who made his acquaint-
ance. While he thus commanded such universal esteem, and seldom gave offence even to the
most irritable and unreasonable, yet he possessed remarkable independence of mind and conduct.
He thought for himself, and examined thoroughly every subject upon which he was called to
make up an opinion, and when he had formed a conclusion it was next to impossible to drive
him from it, no matter who or how many differed from him. I frequently had occasion to mark
this fact in our discussions upon theological and scientific subjects. Yet with all this independence,
there was nothing arbitrary. I never saw him attempt to defend a position for which he could
not give strong reasons, and when he was convinced by force of argument that he was in error,
he was as prompt to yield when he saw he was wrong, as he was independent to contend when
he saw he was right.
" While his intellectual capacities were decidedly above mediocrity in every department (for he
always stood among the first in his classes, both in college and in the seminary), he perhaps
excelled in composition more than any other. He was a beautiful, forcible writer, and composed
with great ease and rapidity. His essays, speeches and sermons have always been admired for
their clearness, ease, and beauty of style, and a long list of correspondents, if consulted, would
testify to his remarkable talent for letter-writing; few men of his age have written more letters,
and still fewer have excelled him in the gift. He was sometimes witty and sometimes amusing,
but always edifying and instructive; adapting himself to every case, he never failed to comfort the
desponding and warn the careless. With all these superior traits of mind and heart, the chief
excellencies of his character were fully known only by those who could claim him as a warm,
unwavering, confidential friend, with a heart capable of the warmest attachment and ready to
sympathize, even to tears. With a mind capable of giving the most judicial counsel; with a
benevolence that prompted him to sacrifice his own interest and comfort, and even to take pleasure
in self-denial for the benefit of others, he was a friend indeed to all who enjoyed his friendship.
He certainly had an uncommon faculty of entering into the feelings and difficulties of others, and
in affording suitable comfort and encouragement; but the great principle that gave tone and energy
and beauty to all these natural gifts, was the power of religion. Bro. Humphreys early commenced
to walk with God, and 'his path as the shining light, shined more and more until the
perfect day.' From my first acquaintance with him, he gave evidence of more than ordinary
piety for one of his age, and grew in grace by keeping his heart with all diligence. He allowed
no ordinary circumstances to deprive him of his daily religious reading and devotion. When I
last saw his bible, he had written on a blank leaf a precept of his grand-mother, in these words,
'David, take care of your soul.' Religion with him was the principle thing, and he not only
gave it his daily attention, but carried it with him in his daily business, and so apparent was
this to all who took knowledge of him, that I have often heard such remarks as these concerning
him: ' He is one of the best men in the world.' ' If he is not a Christian, I don't know who is.'
"After he felt himself called to preach the Gospel, he devoted himself most assiduously to
the cultivation of his mind and heart and, I fear, as I often told him, too much to the neglect
of his body. He had a deep and solemn conviction of the greatness and responsibility of the
ministerial work; he often spoke of it, and it was not until after much anxious thought and
prayerful deliberation that he was convinced that it was his duty to prepare for it. As he advanced
in his preparations he became more and more interested in the great work; he often spoke of the
great honor and happiness of preaching Christ to perishing men. But at the same time his bodily
health became more and more precarious, and before he had finished his preparatory course, the
impression was deeply fixed upon his mind that his race was to be a short one. This, however,
rather animated than cooled his zeal; he let no occasion slip to do good as he had opportunity,
and when he was inducted into the s.icred office, he at once set about with all zeal and fidelity
to do the work of an evangelist and make full proof of his ministry. This he continued beyond
his strength, till before the close of one year, God in his providence told him that his work was
done. To this he submitted with smgular resignation, and was even enabled to read in it all
the wisdom and goodness of God.