In the spring of 1798, he was licensed to preach by the Cambridge Association, and a few months later was called to settle over the Third Parish in West Newbury, Mass., from which Dr. Tappan had recently been removed, to become Hollis Professor in Harvard College. It was not, however, without much hesitation that he accepted the call, arising from conscientious scruples in regard to their creed. His frankness led him to make a full statement of his reasons of delay in accepting their call. The personal attachment of many members of the parish to Mr. Woods, and the influence of some prominent neighboring clergyman, led to a modification of their views, and they renewed the call, which he accepted.

The ordination took place Dec. 5, 1798, Dr. Osgood, of Medford, Mass., preaching the sermon. I quote one paragraph, which has particular reference to young clergyman:- *

"Your present choice, in the esteem of all who are aquainted with the man, does honor to your discernment. I am persuaded that one so amiable will not disappoint your just expectations."

* Copied from letters in History of the Andover Seminary.

A friend residing in New Hampshire assures me that her mother rode on horseback a distance of sixteen miles to the ordination, and on her arrival found, to her great disappointment, the house so crowded that she could not obtain admittance. The terms of settlement, as copied from the church record, sound singularly to us in these days. They were as follows :-

"The parish voted to give Mr. Woods four hundred dollars annually; also five hundred dollars by way of settlement, with the use of parsonage land by the meeting-house, and eight cords of wood annually, with the liberty of going to see his parents for two Sabbaths every year."

At the present day this sum appears to us ridiculously small; but his devoted people took care that he should never want. A box of new butter, fresh eggs, or a heave shoulder, often carried to the pastor, testified to the affection of the parishioners.

In October, 1799, my father was married to Abby Wheeler, daughter of Rev. Joseph Wheeler, a graduate of Harvard College in 1757. He was ordained in the town of Harvard in 1759, but his settlement and usefulness there were suddenly cut short by the loss of his voice. Soon after the commencement of the Revolutionary War, Mr. Wheeler zealously engaged in the cause of his country, and was chosen a member of the Provincial Congress, representative to the General Court, and a member of the Committee of Correspondence. The night before Bunker Hill battle

he volunteered, with five others, to go to the hill, and they staked out the ground for the intrenchment which was thrown up during the night. After the arrival of General Washington at Cambridge, Mr. Wheeler was chaplain of his staff. After the war he was appointed Justice of the Quorum for Worcestor County, and Register of Probate, which offices he held till his death.

"Mr. Woods's marriage and settlement in his own home were made the occassion of a great festival in Newbury. Forty couples in forty 'shays,' the fashionable vehicle of the period, set out to meet their pastor, and escort him with his bride to their new home. The lady, dressed in corsage and trailing skirts of blue lutestring silk, white satin cloak trimmed with ermine, with jockey hat, blue tipped feathers, high-heeled shoes of blue kid, and brightly blooming cheeks, with sweet gentleness and warmth of manner, took all hearts by storm.

"On reaching the new home, where nearly all the parish had assembled, the guests alighted and welcomed the bride, after which all partook of a lavish feast provided by loving hearts for the occasion."

At this distance of time it is difficult to gather much in relation to Mr. Woods's settlement in West Newbury. A letter kindly sent me, found in the possession of Mrs. Lydia Poore, grandmother of Benjamin Perley Poore, assures me of his faithfulness as a pastor, who watched for the souls of his people as one who must give an

account. One aged gentleman now living, in relating what he remembered of his earliest religious teacher, says: "I went to school with his two oldest boys, and to his catechising on Saturday afternoons. We pulled ears or quarrelled during the week, we had to be hauled up for it at the catechising."

An incident which occured during his residence in West Newbury has been vouched for by a distinguished New England clergyman:-

"In the early part of Dr. Woods's ministry, he was one of an association of clergymen convoked to examine a young candidate for the sacred office. When the young theologian had been questioned, and had satisfied the examiners in regard to his literary qualifications, they proceeded to inquire to his personal experience, and his motives for desiring to enter the ministry. He went on for some time until the moderator asked what the High Hopkinsians called 'the test question'': 'I should like you to state definitely, sir, whether you are willing to be damned, should such be foreordained to be your doom.'

"The candidate hesitated ; his face blanched. He could not answer in the affirmative. What should he say?

"Mr. Woods, perceiving the embarassment of the young student, said in his usually calm manner: 'Perhaps I can put the question in a little different form, and in a way that will relieve the candidate. Will you state, sir, whether you would be willing, under

the circumstances mentioned, that the moderator should be damned?'

"'Perfectly, sir, perfectly, if such is God's will.'

"Such a declaration must have been considered sufficiently orthodox, for, after a hearty laugh, the association proceeded to vote that the candidate be licensed."

During the ten years of his residence in West Newbury, Mr. Woods's pen was not idle. Among his letters I find the following from Dr. Spring, of Newburyport; "I take this opportuinity to express my deepest gratitude for the wise and masterly manner in which your question was considered yesterday before the Sanhedrim."

In 1803, the Massachusetts Missionary Magazine was commenced, when Dr. Spring solicited and obtained aid from the pen of the young pastor.

In 1805, Dr. Morse, of Charlestown, projected a monthly magazine, to be called the Panoplist, and of this journal the pastor at West Newbury was appointed joint editor. The spirit with which he entered on this latter task can be best described by a note he addressed to Dr. Morse on the issue of the first number:-

"To-day Panoplist is born, and I hope it will live to grow up and be a good man. I hope and pray that there may not be a spice of ill-nature in it. This does not belong to the Christian armor."