Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-12-13

IAN old pastor Of the late Mr. Zenas Wood, liv-
ing in the West, bears the following testimony to
the sterling worth Of an old-time parshioner and
friend
In 1874 a time when anti-savery men in gem
eral, and Oberlin students in particular were
largely discountenanced by many good men in
our churches passed through Montpelier, and |
formed my first acquaintance with Mr. Wood 1t |
was a Saturday afternoon. My story to him of
conflicts in the interests Of freedom for the slave
and Of showers of rotten eggs and brickbats
through which had passed in Ohio greatly in
terested him, and he invited me to spend the Sab
bath with him and preach in the Free Church"
In the morning Monday-as was about to pass
on he very timidly offered me four dollars from
his own pocket, fearing that would dcspi~e his
Offering because 1t was so small and accepted it
with unbounded joy, because 1t was so large and
so unexpected Such kindness and sympathy
we're rare at that time This little incident led to
nv becoming pastor Of the Free Church for thfee
years, and thorough acquaintance with Mr.
Wood eau heartily sanction all that A. A. W.
says Of him
Mr.. Wood never forsook his principles, and II
adherence to them cost him persecution, he bore
il with wonderful patience. His friends, too
those that loved freedom and that cause Of
Christ that he loyed-he adhered TO- come what
might honor shame. An incident in illustra-
ton: For twenty years he WAS one Of the direc-
tors Of the Bible Society. One year there was a
necessity Of appointing one new director. Conye-
nience required that the office should be given to
some one living in Montpelier; so Mr.. Wood pro
posed the name of his pastor. 1t was seconded
by Rev d. Wild and the vote carried, but not
without some very cutting remarks and much bit
ter feeling on the part Of one or two gentlemen
Soon after this meeting, MessIs. Wood and
| Wild CHANGED to meet good brother from the
south part Of the state whose zeal for Orthodoxy
was quite ovcrshadowing his Christian charity,
and who thus accosted them: d" Brethren, what
on earth were you thinking OF In proposing the
name of T. j. c. ms director of the Bible SocietyY'
80, nothing" said they, only that we wanted
some good man, living in town" We'll as for
him, he was educated at Oberlin, he notg'
Very well but what has that to do with the
Bible Society?' said my friend Wood " 1t shall
have this 10 do with il, at least-one year from
now, If can have any influence, by travelling
sixty miles To the annual meeting, that man shall
BE- elected from o1icc'n The year came round the
jealous brother was on hand; the unfortunate
Young man from Nazareth was GREETED, and with
him zenas Wood and Daniel Wild My friend
patience never forsook him under such little
storms this.
As friend Mr.. Wood was always firm, warm
and unfaltering have never found another his
equal in some respects. OF this | have many
. proofs in my own history. Numerous letters from
his pen, bearing dates all along from 1913 til
1878, testify Of his unfailing fidelity as friend
Very often they inquire " DO you need anything
which can supply2 Twill divide with you II yol
, are in want" and such like. Five years ago h
4 heard that myself and family were all down will
, typhoid fever Instantly letter was sent t
I us, overlooking with prayerful sympathy for tn
sufferers, and containing twenty dollars for thei
4 relief
In our church prayer-meetlngs he was Away
present, and always worker noiseless but I'm
firing lie used to say to me, 81 can't talk Il
4 the meetings as Cyrus could God never gave M
> the faculty; but II you want anything can do
4 let me know it. II any money is wanted CUES
/, | am the one that ought to give 1t.
a lie was very remarkable for his gentleness ant
/, kindness Of spirit, manifested In thousand way
In the little everyday affairs Of life am quit,
a sure that his stricken daughters, and the dangh
, tiers Of his noble wife, will cherish the memory o
. this trait of character AS long as they live.
can say as Paul said in reference TO some o
his friends-"I thank my God upon every remem
bnnce Of that good man, IEsAs WooD.