To quote from Rev. John Todd, D.D., in the Recorder: "Dr. Woods belonged to a generation who had to think calmly, deeply, carefully, as they laid those plans which had embraced theological seminaries, foreign missions, home missions, the education of the young for the ministry, the Bible, the tract, the colonization and the temperance societies, and all those grand schemes which encircle the globe in their results." Dr. Woods was the confidant and advisor of the first four young men whose hearts turned toward a ministry to the heathen. In the spring of 1810, they made a formal statement of their wishes and the motives which prompted them, which statement they presented to my father, and which, he says, "inexpressibly touched my heart." The June following, the General Association of Massachusetts was to meet in Bradford, and my father suggested that a written application be made to them for advice and direction. This resulted in the institution of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. When, on the 6th of February, 1812, these young men took leave of kindred and country to carry tidings of a Saviour to the farthest

ends of the earth, he preached the sermon, giving them their parting instructions.

He wrote the memoirs of Harriette Newell, of blessed memory, and gave the avails of the publication to the society. He made sacrifices of time and money to help forward the glorious cause. He followed the "dear missionaries" to their separate fields or labor with letters of affectionate counsel and advice. He was an influential member of the Prudential Committee till 1834, when the pressure of other duties caused him to resign, though never till the end of his life did he lose his interest in its objects.

In regard to the memoir of Harriette Newell, one of the earlier missionaries to India writes: "The 'Life of Mrs. Newell,' by a widely extended influence, has done more good than she would probably effected in a long life of usefulness."

In 1814 the American Tract Society was formed. Dr. Woods was immediately elected a member of the Executive Committe, upon which he served for four more years, when he resigned, but afterwards consented to serve one year. When at a later date, the Doctrinal Tract Society was formed, he was elected its president, and continued in that office till his death.

In 1846, Dr. Woods retired from his professorship, having labored arduously in connection with its duties for thirty-eight years, and from this time was engaged in preparing for the press his theological lectures and a portion of his miscellaneous writings.

They were published in 1849-50. It would fill many pages of a sketch like this to quote from the letters of regret caused by his resignation, and by the warm, enthusiastic welcome given to his published volumes.

In an account of him, published soon after his decease, one of his former pupils says: "Dr. Woods has been called to preach more sermons on public occassions and has had more sermons printed than any other man in his day."