No reminiscences of Dr. Woods, however brief, would be complete without touching on his character in his home relations; but here my pen falters as I recall his love, his patience, his tenderness, his forgiveness. From files of letters lying before me I read words so full of tender sympathy, so sweet and loving, so discreet in counsel, so wise in administering reproof, that my eyes overflow. One thing was particularly noticeable in my father and mother: this was their perfect unanimity. I do not recollect a single instance in which their views did not coincide in respect to the welfare and comfort of their family. As children, we well knew that if one of them approved or disapproved of any particular course, the other was sure to do so.

While attending the anniversaries in New York in 1836, my beloved mother was seized with paralysis; my father, whom pressing engagements had prevented, for the first time in many years, from being present, was instantly summoned. She was in great danger when he reached New York. Her state and his feelings he describes in a letter to my sister Sophia, kindly forwarded me for

insertion; "I hope you have received the two notes which I have sent you. Your mother is sensibly better than she was when I wrote last. She is truly happy, cheerful, and contented. She has rest of soul. Oh, the beauty and blessedness of the Christian spirit! I find that wherever I go, and whatever I behold, the thought of your dear mother is connected with it. When I walk in the steamboat, I think of times past when I have walked with her; whether in the house of God or in a private dwelling, I think continually of my dear wife, now so feeble and afflicted."

My father's affection for my dear mother was beautifully exemplified during the long sickness which followed this attack. For the period of ten years, during which she suffered from repeated shocks of paralysis, his attention to her never tired. By the most unwearied tenderness, by the most affectionate sympathy, and by the most devoted love, did he strive to soothe her pain and alleviate the restlessness which always accompanies a complaint like hers.

Often have I been excited almost to tears at the sight of her brightening face, as she listened for his well-known footsteps, or welcomed his approach. His first visit on entering the house was always to her, while his cheering smiles and words of affection beguiled many an hour of suffering.

On his return from his daily walk he frequently brought her a bunch of bright leaves, or a fragrant flower, which he presented her

with the grace and tenderness of a young and ardent lover, and which she could not be induced to part with until it had withered and decayed.

For several years during her sickness my mother was able to attend church, and as it was difficult for her to get into a carriage, she prefered walking. My father generally started with her fifteen or twenty minutes before service, and with the utmost care guided her steps to the very door of the pew, where he had prepared a comfortable seat for her by his side.

Afterwards, when needing the exercise, but unable to walk, my father made use of the low carriage he had once contrived for me. To this he had an arm-chair attached, and himself drew her about the home grounds, sometimes with help, to the grove of walnut and oak trees, beyond our fruit orchard.

In reference to my father's unwearied care at this time, Hon. B. W. Harris, one of Massachusetts representatives to Congress, says: -

"It was certainly among the holiest lessons of my youth to see your father's tender solicitude of his sick wife. It was when I was a member of Phillips Academy, that I used to stand and look over the fence to see that venerable man, occupying such a prominent position at the head of the theological seminary, dragging with his own hands, about the grounds, the carriage in which he had seated his wife."

In a letter from my father to me, dated Jan. 25, 1844, he refers to these rides: -

... " Your mother is quite comfortable, and, cold as it is, I have just been taking her down to the grove, and given her what we call a sleigh-ride. I have made a good seat at the back part of my large sled, and put up a side; then I put down a cushion, and spread, over all, my old thick wrapper; and she sits, happy as a queen, and happier, too, and away she goes, honored, as you know the great ones of the earth sometimes are, who are drawn by human beings instead of beasts. She has had several rides since the snow was hard enough to bear up; but I get somewhat out of breath, and should be glad of a stronger team to go up the hill."

My mother was born on the 29th of February, and, therefore, her real birthday only came once in four years; on other occasions, we celebrated it on the 28th of the month. I find a letter from my father, dated Feb. 28, 1845: -

MY DEAR WIFE, - I would render thanks to God that you are brought in so much comfort to another of your birthdays. Many have been your trials during the past year; but your mercies are far more numerous, and far greater than your sufferings. This you delight to remember.

And now, dear wife, we have lived together forty-six years, and those have been happy years. I began to love you when you were

in the bloom of youth, and I love you none the less now that you are in feeble health and advanced in life. Nay, my love is deeper, and I believe purer, than it was in former years. And I doubt not it is so with your love to me. My heart is with you, and ever will be. Your joys are my joys, and your sorrows are my sorrows. Let our affections be on heavenly things; and let us labor and pray that we and all our children and all our grandchildren may be numbered with the followers of Jesus, and have a place in the paradise of God!

In regard to my dear father's tenderness and care of my sick mother, I well remember a remark of our deceased friend, Mrs. Samuel Farrar, of Andover.

"I have often wondered, " she said, "why God allowed so good a man as Dr. Woods to be so much afflicted in his family; but now I see that our Heavenly Father has a gracious design in it toward the young men connected with the institution. He thus gives them an example of the most unwearied conjugal love."

I must close this chapter, upon which I could write a volume, by a quotation from Dr. George W. Blagden's address at the fiftieth anniversary of the seminary. He says: -

"During all my acquaintance with Dr. Woods, as one who en-

joyed the privilege of occupying a room in his own dwelling-house, for the three years of my course in the seminary, the loveliness and faithfulness of his domestic character were continually developed, and excited my admiration and esteem. He was a most affectionate and faithful husband and father. I have seen him in times of domestic affliction and trial, and when I think of him as he appeared then, I am reminded of what my imagination pictures to me of Abraham himself, walking forth with Isaac, or buying of the sons of Heth a burial-place for his beloved Sarah. He had much of the dignity and the tenderness of the ancient patriarch."

During the latter part of the year 1845, the health of my beloved mother sensibly failed. She lost her appetite, and, indeed, could not swallow without great difficulty. We were informed, early in February, 1846, of her feeble condition and paid her a visit on the 14th, when she was cheerful as usual, but felt that her life was drawing to a close. She sent love to each of our children by name, with a message that grandmother loved them, and hoped they would be good boys.

On the morning of the 21st, we received a few hastily written lines from our afflicted father.

"Your mother has fallen sweetly asleep in Jesus."

In reference to this severed affliction, his own words best express his grief: -

"Oh, my poor stricken heart! I cannot bear up under my thoughts. Away I must go to the blessed world where the object of my love shines in perfect beauty, and glorifies God with a heavenly activity and fulness of joy."