The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog
The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog
The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
popularity is doubtless to be found <strong>in</strong> what I would call the remarkable symmetry of his character<br />
— the high and beautiful qualities of his m<strong>in</strong>d and heart. His <strong>in</strong>tellect was of a high order; he<br />
possessed a sound judgment, strong and penetrat<strong>in</strong>g m<strong>in</strong>d, a quick and accurate discrim<strong>in</strong>ation;<br />
comb<strong>in</strong>ed with these, and even <strong>in</strong> a still higher degree, was a high sense of honor, strict conscien-<br />
tiousness, a nice sense of propriety and a tender heart; these qualities, rarely found so strongly<br />
and proportionably comb<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the same character, gave him a quickness of m<strong>in</strong>d and an ease<br />
and suavity of manner that at once found access to the heart of every one who made his acqua<strong>in</strong>t-<br />
ance. While he thus commanded such universal esteem, and seldom gave offence even to the<br />
most irritable and unreasonable, yet he possessed remarkable <strong>in</strong>dependence of m<strong>in</strong>d and conduct.<br />
He thought for himself, and exam<strong>in</strong>ed thoroughly every subject upon which he was called to<br />
make up an op<strong>in</strong>ion, and when he had formed a conclusion it was next to impossible to drive<br />
him from it, no matter who or how many differed from him. I frequently had occasion to mark<br />
this fact <strong>in</strong> our discussions upon theological and scientific subjects. Yet with all this <strong>in</strong>dependence,<br />
there was noth<strong>in</strong>g arbitrary. I never saw him attempt to defend a position for which he could<br />
not give strong reasons, and when he was conv<strong>in</strong>ced by force of argument that he was <strong>in</strong> error,<br />
he was as prompt to yield when he saw he was wrong, as he was <strong>in</strong>dependent to contend when<br />
he saw he was right.<br />
" While his <strong>in</strong>tellectual capacities were decidedly above mediocrity <strong>in</strong> every department (for he<br />
always stood among the first <strong>in</strong> his classes, both <strong>in</strong> college and <strong>in</strong> the sem<strong>in</strong>ary), he perhaps<br />
excelled <strong>in</strong> composition more than any other. He was a beautiful, forcible writer, and composed<br />
with great ease and rapidity. His essays, speeches and sermons have always been admired for<br />
their clearness, ease, and beauty of style, and a long list of correspondents, if consulted, would<br />
testify to his remarkable talent for letter-writ<strong>in</strong>g; few men of his age have written more letters,<br />
and still fewer have excelled him <strong>in</strong> the gift. He was sometimes witty and sometimes amus<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
but always edify<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong>structive; adapt<strong>in</strong>g himself to every case, he never failed to comfort the<br />
despond<strong>in</strong>g and warn the careless. With all these superior traits of m<strong>in</strong>d and heart, the chief<br />
excellencies of his character were fully known only by those who could claim him as a warm,<br />
unwaver<strong>in</strong>g, confidential friend, with a heart capable of the warmest attachment and ready to<br />
sympathize, even to tears. With a m<strong>in</strong>d capable of giv<strong>in</strong>g the most judicial counsel; with a<br />
benevolence that prompted him to sacrifice his own <strong>in</strong>terest and comfort, and even to take pleasure<br />
<strong>in</strong> self-denial for the benefit of others, he was a friend <strong>in</strong>deed to all who enjoyed his friendship.<br />
He certa<strong>in</strong>ly had an uncommon faculty of enter<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to the feel<strong>in</strong>gs and difficulties of others, and<br />
<strong>in</strong> afford<strong>in</strong>g suitable comfort and encouragement; but the great pr<strong>in</strong>ciple that gave tone and energy<br />
and beauty to all these natural gifts, was the power of religion. Bro. <strong>Humphreys</strong> early commenced<br />
to walk with God, and 'his path as the sh<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g light, sh<strong>in</strong>ed more and more until the<br />
perfect day.' From my first acqua<strong>in</strong>tance with him, he gave evidence of more than ord<strong>in</strong>ary<br />
piety for one of his age, and grew <strong>in</strong> grace by keep<strong>in</strong>g his heart with all diligence. He allowed<br />
no ord<strong>in</strong>ary circumstances to deprive him of his daily religious read<strong>in</strong>g and devotion. When I<br />
last saw his bible, he had written on a blank leaf a precept of his grand-mother, <strong>in</strong> these words,<br />
'David, take care of your soul.' Religion with him was the pr<strong>in</strong>ciple th<strong>in</strong>g, and he not only<br />
gave it his daily attention, but carried it with him <strong>in</strong> his daily bus<strong>in</strong>ess, and so apparent was<br />
this to all who took knowledge of him, that I have often heard such remarks as these concern<strong>in</strong>g<br />
him: ' He is one of the best men <strong>in</strong> the world.' ' If he is not a Christian, I don't know who is.'<br />
"After he felt himself called to preach the Gospel, he devoted himself most assiduously to<br />
the cultivation of his m<strong>in</strong>d and heart and, I fear, as I often told him, too much to the neglect<br />
of his body. He had a deep and solemn conviction of the greatness and responsibility of the<br />
m<strong>in</strong>isterial work; he often spoke of it, and it was not until after much anxious thought and<br />
prayerful deliberation that he was conv<strong>in</strong>ced that it was his duty to prepare for it. As he advanced<br />
<strong>in</strong> his preparations he became more and more <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> the great work; he often spoke of the<br />
great honor and happ<strong>in</strong>ess of preach<strong>in</strong>g Christ to perish<strong>in</strong>g men. But at the same time his bodily<br />
health became more and more precarious, and before he had f<strong>in</strong>ished his preparatory course, the<br />
impression was deeply fixed upon his m<strong>in</strong>d that his race was to be a short one. This, however,<br />
rather animated than cooled his zeal; he let no occasion slip to do good as he had opportunity,<br />
and when he was <strong>in</strong>ducted <strong>in</strong>to the s.icred office, he at once set about with all zeal and fidelity<br />
to do the work of an evangelist and make full proof of his m<strong>in</strong>istry. This he cont<strong>in</strong>ued beyond<br />
his strength, till before the close of one year, God <strong>in</strong> his providence told him that his work was<br />
done. To this he submitted with smgular resignation, and was even enabled to read <strong>in</strong> it all<br />
the wisdom and goodness of God.