My father was the frankest man I ever knew. This quality he especially admired in others; and he took great pains to cultivate it in his children.

He often sat silent when some subject was discussed until his opinion was asked, when he gave it frankly, though invariably with the kindness and courtesy which were a part of himself.

Especially was this frankness evident in his method of dealing with his pupils. They were invited to the study and were called upon to take a very sweet pill; but they were not dismissed until their sins were set in such order before them that they could see them without a microscope. One student, Henry Lyman, the martyr missionary, told me that his pill was so covered with preserve that at first he could n't taste the bitter; but when the bitter came, it was so bitter he quite forgot the sweet. "After all," he said, "I can't help loving Dr. Woods, for it is so evident that he tells me my faults for my good; and then he puts them to you in such a way you can't help acknowledge they are faults."

When I was a child, there was seldom a week that my father did not have letters making inquiries concerning candidates for the

ministry, and requesting that he would recommend some one suitable for the parish under consideration.

The following incidents, illustrating my father's frankness and faithfulness, I quote from the Congregationalist: -

"On one occasion, a church had been blessed for years with a good, faithful preacher who did not hesitate to declare all the counsel of God; but the man was unfortunately small, and had a feeble voice. His people at length resolved to get rid of him. One of the committee, therefore, wrote father, asking to have a young man sent from the senior class. 'We want,' said the gentleman, 'a tall man with a good voice.' The return mail carried the following answer:-

" 'DEAR SIR, - I have spoken to Mr. ___, who will preach for you next Sunday. He exactly answers to your list of qualifications, being six feet two inches in height, and with a powerful voice.

"Mr. ___ suited the people to a T. He was called and ordained a few weeks after he graduated. But a short time passed, however, before the more serious part of the congregation began to feel that they were being starved. They longed for the spiritual food so abundantly dealt out by their former pastor. The dissatisfaction spread rapidly, a meeting was called, and a committe, consist-

ing of the two deacons, was sent to Andover to consult with my father.

" 'The man you sent us is not giving satisfaction,' Deacon A commenced.

" 'Is he not tall enough?' inquired my father.

" 'Yes - yes - sir, that is to say-' hesitating.

" 'Perhaps his voice is not as good as you expected; or,' he added kindly, seeing the discomfiture of his guests, 'it may be that the Lord has dealt with you as he did with the children of Israel. He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls.'

" 'That is just our case, doctor,' answered Deacon B, with great emotion. 'We have sinned in this matter. We ought never to have dismissed our old pastor. We begin to hanker for strong meat.' My father then took occasion to state frankly his views in relation to the subject, telling the deacons he had expected exactly such a result. He advised them, however, to take occasion to talk with their minister, and especially to pray for him, that he might give his heart to the work of saving souls."

"At another time a young clergyman went from Andover to a parish where is was intimated to him that the church would like to give him a call, but that they first proposed to write to Dr. Woods for advice in the premises. Feeling very confident of the friend-

ship of his professor, Mr. X suffered no anxiety in regard to the result. But a few weeks later, he presented himself at the door of the doctor's study, in a state of great excitement.

" 'I called,' he explained, his voice trembling with anger, 'to ask the reason of your letter to the committee at W___.' Then, without stopping to receive an answer, he went on with unseemly agitation:-

" 'Doctor, I thought you were my friend. If I had not read your letter, I would not have believed that you would have treated a pupil so unhandsomely. I must say, doctor, I think your - I think that letter was abusive. Of course it has had the effect that you intended, and prevented my getting a call to W___.'

" 'What did you say?' inquired my father, mildly.

" 'You said there were reasons why it would not be best that I should be settled there.'

" 'Nothing else?'

" 'Yes; you said that I was of a nervous, excitable temperament.'

" 'Is that not the truth? If I had doubted it before, I should not after this interview.'

"Mr. X was very angry. He caught his hat, and was about to leave, when my father's voice detained him.

" 'Sit down, my son; I have something more to say. Try to feel toward me, as I am sure you always have felt, that I am your friend, anxious for your best good.

" 'These are the circumstances of the case. About a week ago the mail brought me letters from two parishes, each in regard to a candidate for settlement. One was from W___; it was Mr. A's letter concerning you. The other was from the large and flourishing church in M___, requesting me to send a man whom I considered suitable for them. The parish in W___, though wealthy, is a difficult one. They are in the habit of having trouble with their minister. On many accounts,' he added, with a smile, 'I considered it a bad place for one of your excitable nerves. After serious consideration and prayer, I have this morning answered the letter from M.'

"He took his unsealed epistle from the table as he spoke and read it aloud.

" 'DEAR SIR, - I know a man whose talents and acquirements, and, above all, whose ardent piety, eminently fit him for usefulness in the church of Christ. His name is ___X. I cordially recommend him to your people. May God bless you and him, is the prayer of,

"Mr. X sprang from his seat, caught my father's hand, wrung it ardently, and rushed from the room without a word.

"The same evening a fellow-student came to the door with a note. It was from Mr. X, and read as follows:-

" 'BELOVED TEACHER, -I am overwhelmed with shame and confusion on account of my conduct this morning. Since I left your study, the hours have been passed in self-examination, and in a depth of humiliation such as I have never known before. Dr. Woods, I have deceived myself. I am unfit to preach Christ. My heart is too full of sin. I see now that my anger toward you arose from a consciousness that you spoke truth. I cannot sleep until I confess to the best and kindest of teachers, that I indulged toward him the most undutiful sentiments. But no doubt my conduct made you aware of that. I need not ask you not to forward the letter to M___. What you saw of me would convince you I am unfit for such a trust. But at any rate, I would not have it sent. The last hour has revealed to me so much of self, and so loathsome is the sight, that nothing but the thought of God's abounding grace in Christ Jesus keeps me from despair.'

"Nevertheless, after another interview with Mr. X, the letter was sent, and on the strength of it, the young clergyman received a call to M___, where he labored earnestly and successfully for his Master, for more than twelve years. During all this time, he cherished towards his former professor an affection as warm and

tender as that of a child. Even during his last sickness he referred to the circumstances I have written, and said in regard to the kindness of Dr. Woods during that never-to-be-forgotten interview, and on subsequent occasions, 'He was so tender, so loving, and so faithful, that I took courage and began to preach, begging God to help me.' "

"At one time, many many years ago, Rev. Mr. W came to Andover to ask my father's advice concerning his parish.

" 'My people are dead,' he explained. 'Our social meetings are most deserted; I am often tempted to omit them altogether.'

"As my father did not reply, Mr. W went on, -

" 'I received a call from a few of my parishioners last week. They complain that they find it more difficult than ever to raise my salary. It is done by subscription, and not by a tax on the pews.'

" 'Did they state why they found this difficulty?'

" 'No sir. Indeed, I did not encourage them to free conversation. I had made up my mind to come to you, and I wished you advice first.'

" 'Were the persons who visited you the most devout of your people, or otherwise?'

" 'They were the most reliable men I have. Always on hand at all meetings appointed by the church; and though I differ from them in politics, I must do them the justice to say they are exemplary men.'

" ' Ah! May I inquire what subjects you have been preaching upon of late?'

" 'Well, sir, I may as well confess that I have been pretty thoroughly into what are called the reforms of the day. I have preached on temperance and abolition.'

" 'How many men or women have you in you church and parish who are in the habit of drinking to intoxication?'

" 'None, sir; none that I know of.'

" 'How many who sustain the relation of slaveholders?'

"With heightened color, Mr. W answered, decidedly, -

" 'Not one.'

" 'Then, my young friend, I advise you to go home and preach Christ and him crucified. Seek your closet and ask your Heavenly Father to give you the wisdom necessary to lead these souls to their Saviour. You are under solemn vows. Seek by a new consecration to warm your own heart. Paul indeed preached temperance, but he also preached righteousness and judgement to come.'

"Mr. W returned home, and took counsel with his own heart. What he found there, I do not know; but he afterwards wrote his professor, thanking him most heartily for his advice, and closing with the words,-

" 'I never enjoyed a Sabbath as I did the last one; and by the appearance of my people, I think they enjoyed it, too.' "