Long before the birth of temperance societies, my father became convinced that the use of alcoholic liquor as a beverage, so common in the early part of this century, was injurious to health and morals. He eagerly welcomed the primary movement calling attention to this subject, and was one of the first who enrolled his name as a member of the temperance society.

I well remember, when I was quite a little child, hearing him talk with a brother clergyman, whose views were opposed to his own. This gentleman, whom I will call Mr. A, stoutly urged that it was a command of the Scriptures to "use a little wine for his stomach's sake and his often infirmities," ending with the assertion, "At any rate, doctor, I could n't write sermons nor preach them without the excitement produced by a glass of good wine or brandy."

"If that is the case, brother, I'm afraid for you, -I'm terribly afraid," returned my father, with his usual frankness. "That is a kind of slavery I would never consent to. I hope you'll make it a subject of earnest consideration, whether it would not be better for you to give up such artificial stimulants altogether."

Mr. A was angry. This was a subject on which his feelings were tender.

"Every one must judge for himself," he replied, sharply. "No one has ever seen me the worse for liquor."

"There you are mistaken, brother." My father's voice was as gentle as though dealing with a beloved son. "I am sorry to remind you, that at our last clerical association you drank so many glasses of wine and brandy at dinner, that you would have fallen from your chair had not I assisted you to bed. I felt so much for you, that I went privately to Mr. B, at whose house we met, and begged him not to set wine before you, seeing it was a temptation you could not resist. I resolved, then and there, that I would never be guilty of helping my brethren in the ministry to make drivelling fools of themselves."

A short time after this conversation, a country clergyman, taveling from one town to another, put up with his horse at my father's, it being at that time the custom to use a brother minister's house as a hotel, except in one particular, -the payment of the bill.

My mother being ill in bed, my father attended to the entertainment of his guest.

"I wish to start away as soon as it is light," said the traveller, "and shall want a hot breakfast before I go."

This was in May; and at five o'clock a cup of steaming coffee, with bread and cold meat, was on the table for the guest, he

having been awakened by my father, as requested, half an hour earlier. The visitor came to the breakfast-room, glanced at the table, seemed very uneasy, and finally exclaimed,-

"I must have a glass of brandy and water to give me an appetite. I should n't be worth anything without it."

"I cannot gratify you," was my father's reply.

"Cannot! Why not, I beg to know?"

"Brother B," said my father, putting one hand on the visitor's shoulder, "do you know that you are in danger of becoming a drunkard? It is already a subject of remark that your frequent drams befog your intellect, that your sermons are without power. I say this to you in all kindness. You can give up intoxicating drink now; in a year or two, it may be too late."

And it was. Mr. B died of apoplexy a few months after this frank warning.

It was the observation of facts like these which led my father to refuse wine or liquors when attending a funeral, and on any public occasion.

When General Jackson occupied the Presidential chair, he, with his cabinet, made a tour through New England, visiting Andover Seminary, among other places of interest. I remember well that my sisters and myself, with Professor Stuart's daughters, were dressed in white with garlands of flowers over one shoulder, and that we stood in the gallery of the chapel to receive the President.

It was a great occasion; the honor of seeing and shaking hands with a real, live President was almost beyond belief. I confess to a feeling of disappointment on finding that he was but a man, and that he seemed to me not half as handsome or dignified as my father. A great dinner was prepared at the Mansion House for the distinguished guests, on which occasion General Jackson, being an invalid, took dinner in his room, where he was waited upon in state by Mira Squawcombush, the only desendant of Ham the quiet town of Andover then afforded.

My father, therefore, took his seat at the head of the table with Vice-President Van Buren, instead of President Jackson, at his right hand. Some of the guests called for wine, others for brandy, which was brought on in decanters and set by their plates.

At length, Van Buren, turning to my father, asked,-

"Will you take a glass with me, Dr. Woods?"

A smile ran around the table at this question, for the temperance society had lately been formed, and the name of Leonard Woods was one of the first on the list. But, my father, in no degree disturbed, bowed, saying, with a smile, "If you will allow me to choose my liquor." Then, while every one suspended his dinner to look on, he took the wineglass Van Buren pushed toward him, filled it from a pitcher of water which stood near, touched his neighbor's glass, and with his own particular smile gave as a sentiment,-

"Andover, the cradle of the temperance society!"

There was a perfect shout of laughter at the graceful act, and even Van Buren expressed his admiration of the consistency displayed by it.

When my father was more than seventy years old, he visited his native town of Princeton. A part of the journey was performed in an old-fashioned stage-coach, the vehicle, of all others, most favorable for conversation. Among the passengers was an old man, whose ruddy features shone with a glow that was not all health. For an hour or more there was a good-natured discussion between my father and the old man in regard to the advantages and disadvantages of alcoholic drinks. My father affirmed that, according to his long experience and observation, man (an intemperate woman being, fortunately, unheard of in those days) was far more vigorous in mind, more healthful in body, without the use of these stimulants.

His opponent maintained a contrary opinion, citing his own case to prove that the moderate use of rum, gin, and brandy was beneficial. At last the carriage approached the town, and the tired horses crept slowly up the long, steep hills, which form a part of the mountain range.

"Come," urged my father, "I am six months older than you, let us test this question of bodily vigor. I am a cold-water man; you drink your grog daily. We are near the top of a long hill; let us get out and race."

Rather reluctantly the old man assented, being urged to comply by the other inmates of the coach.

"Now," said my father, laughing gayly, "let us start fair. The one who runs down this hill and up the next, wins."

Off they started, side by side, the passengers shouting their encouragement. But, alas, for the owner of the red nose! The bottom of the hill had not been reached before he began to puff and blow; then, finding his companion was far ahead, he stopped short, succumbing to an inglorious defeat.

When, at the top of the next hill, my father paused for the stage-coach to come up, the passengers shouted, merrily,-

"Hurrah! Three cheers for the cold-water man! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!"*

*Printed in the Congregationalist.