The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

she received instruction away from home; and thus at Amherst, when, under the
stimulus of literature, and the influence of her father's house and the college, and
the admiration which her nature and acquirements commanded, she grew in that
attractiveness which never left her. She was neither timid nor sad. She received
the good that came to her, and enjoyed it. * * * Whilst gratified at the
success of those who were dear to her, her life was in her affections. She loved
her friends; and all beautiful things; and God. She was rich in trust and in hope.
There was thai in her which caused people to lean upon her, as she strengthened
them by what her soul imparted. Her judgment was comprehensive, and seldom
in error; and it was made generous by the breadth of her charity, and the depth
of her feeling. Thoroughly educated, ripe in sentiment, profound and discerning
intellectually, and of a warm heart, she entered the gates of light, beloved, as
only such a wife, and mother, and sister can be. She received Christ so fully
that her faith was not dependent upon her emotions. It was in the ' Lord our
righteousness.'"
Dr. Neill received instruction in Latin and Greek from Samuel B. \\'ylie,
and entered the University of Pennsylvania, Freshman class, in 1S29. He united
with the First Presbyterian Church, under the care of Rev. Albert Barnes, in 1832.
The following year he went to Amherst College, entering the last term of the
Junior class, and graduated in 1834. During the years 1835-36, he taught the
classics in Fayetteville, North Carolina; was at Lane Theological Seminary, 1836-
39, and at Andover, in 1839.
He was installed minister of Hatfield, Mass., 16 April, 1840, and there
remained till 15 April, 1846; was invited to Lenox, Mass., and installed there
26 Aug., 1846; continued there until 4 Jan., 1854. He was called to the pastorate
of the Fort Street Church, Detroit, Michigan, in 1853, and installed over that
congregation 15 Oct., 1854. During his ministry in Detroit, the house of worship
known as the Fort Street Church was completed, and its membership largely
increased. He resigned 15 June, 1857. December 6th, 1857, he was installed
pastor of the Westminster Church, in the same city. This church was organized
by Mr. Neill in connection with the Old School branch of the Presbyterian Church.
He remained in Detroit until 24 April, 1861. During the war, he took charge
of the church at Geneseo, New York, from i Jan., 1862 to i Jan., 1866; served
the churches of West Stockbridge and Richmond, near Pittsfield, Mass., from
1867 to 1869. He was afterward installed over the Second Presbyterian Church
at New Brunswick, continuing there from 1869 to 1871. Mrs. Neill being in
delicate health, he went to South Carolina for her restoration, and officiated, for
the winter of 1871-72, in the church at Hopewell, South Carolina; returned to
Philadelphia in 1872, and organized the church at Bryn Mawr, Montgomerj- Co.,
Pa., in November, of that 3-ear, supplying the pulpit of that church from January
to November, 1873. He retired from regular duties in 1873, and took up his
residence in Philadelphia, where he died 21 April, 1879, ve. 63 years.
The published writings of Dr. Neill are as follows:— "The Atonement;"
Leno.x, Biblical Repository, 1849. "The Revealing Process;" Lenox, National
Preacher, 1849. "Memorials for the Dead;" Pittsfield, 1850. "The Sanctuary;'
Detroit, 1854. "Abolitionism, its Spirit and Fruits;" Detroit, 1858. "The West-
minster Assembly;" Geneseo, 1865. " INIemoir of Mrs. Sophia Humphrey;" Pittsfield,
1869. "Memoir and Sermons of Dr. Wm. James;" Pittsfield, 1S69. "The
Righteousness of God;" New l?runswick. T'rincet..n Review, 1872. "Dr. Isaac