The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-03-26

William Woods, Senior, as he was univer
sally called, would, on the alternate Sabbath
attend at that church to hear the Rev. Ben
jamin Fcklin Col. William Woods had mar
ried sister of William Wallace, and was
near neighbor of the Rev. Mr.. Ficklin.-
Whilst the latter was an iron-side Baptist
and an uncompromising waterman, Father
Woods, or Uocle Billy, as most persons call
ed him, was as rigid blue-stocking, yet si
neighbors they were very intimate, as became
Christian gentlemen. Col. Woods, though
very near eighty years of age, with slight
deafness, was tall and straight, with pro.
fuse suit of hair, quite grey and worn long,
combed back from his fine forehead. With
slight eccentricty he possessed a fine mind,
great frmness of character, and was, in the
fullest sense of the term, perfect Virginia
gentleman. One of his peculiarites when
things were not. going to his mind was to
raise his hand and smooth back his hair, bu,
should he raise both hands and smooth il
back hs was excited, and acted promptly as
the occasion demanded. He occupied front
seat on the right of the pulpit, and observed
everything that occurred on the inside and
sometimes also on the outside.
"We all thought the Rev. Mr.. Ficklin'
sermons too long, and l may with proprety
say as much too long as many of our minis
ters' of the present day are too short.
" An incident occurred in this connection
which it may not be improper to mention 1t
was at the old church referred to, when Mr..
Ficklin had very large congregation, made
up of his own people with the Presbyteriana
belonging to that church. Col. Woods was
also present. Mr.. Ficklin was indulging in
one of his long sermons, and, having extend
ed it beyond an hour and ahalf, Col. Woods
was observed to have raised his hand several
times and smoothed back his hair, but said
nothing, but when Mr.. Ficklin said, Well,
brethren, we will take another view of the
subject he raised both his hands aud,
smoothing back his hair, said: Brother
Ficklin, it really seems to me you have at
least taken four views too many. already J
Father Ficklin said: Brother Woods, per-
haps you are right, and will quit Every
thing passed off with perfect good feeling to
all present.
"Some time in the fall of 1919, that ex.
cellent man, the Rev. W. j. Armstrong,
came from New Jersey to Charlottesville
The church there being weak could not en-
ploy him more than half his time. Colonel
Woods, learning that Mr.. Armstrong desired
another place of preaching, sought an inter
view With him and obtained his consent, pro-
Vided the congregation desired it. They
were excited on the subject, and at once in
formed Mr.. Armstrong, through Col Woods,
of their desire for his services. He came
promptly. do not know on what promise
as to salary, but that was arranged satisfac-
torily to both parties. He preached every
other Sabbath at Mountain Plains, and, COM
ing into the nei ghborhood where was board
ing, he preached during the week at pri-
vate house, the whole country turning ont to
hear him. The question of Reorganization
of the Mountain Plains church was at once
sgitated. John Pilson, the WallaceS and
Others at once agreed to sever their connec-
ton with Waynesboro. Father Woods was
full to overhowing, and all coneurred in say
ing there never had been such preacher in
that section of country.
GA day in November, 1919, was fixed
upon. Rev. James G. Wilson, of Waynes.
boro, attended, and moderated the meeting
when of those l remember who connected
themselves with the church were Col. Viii.
liam Woods aud wife, this was his second
wife); Mrs. George NJ Woods, Michael Wal
lace and wife; John Pilsou, Richard Wallace
John Lobban, Mrs. Col. Yancy, Miss Nancy
Barksdale, several of the Blacks, and others
whose names do not remember.
"The next step was to determine how
many elders should be elected. Five was
the number determined on. Next, how were
they to be elected? The moderator said &C
cording to the 'Book' no form Of election was
prescribed. Some Cne arose and moved thai
Father Woods appoint the elders. 1t was
at once unanimously agreed to. He arose
and stood for more than minute before ht
spoke. I think he was the most reverend
looking man | ever saw. l can see him nou
as l then saw him standing in that ole
church, the tears running down his furrowet
cheeks He raised his white head and said
the task was too great, repeating it with en-
phasis Bat l have said l would shrink
from no task put upon me until this ole
church is reo-ganized, and will make th'
effort. He then turned, and pointing tt
John Prison said: You must serve as al
elder; Michael Wallace, yOa must serve
William Woods, you must serve; John Wal
lace, you must serve, and Robert Brooks
you must serve He then said, i am done
the church is in your hands. No, l am no
done; one word more. No one of you mus
refuse to serve, as the church needs your ser
vice; now sm done.
"But he was not done. Mr.. Armstrong
had nothing to do but preach, for Fathe
Woods was ever alive to his duties. An ia
cident or two before | close may be in place
On one occasion Mr. Armstrong was in th
midst of sermon, when in the very crowdet
gallery some restlessness was manifested b.
the colored people, when Father Woods sros
and in distinct voice said If you do no
preserve order in the gallery will be ther
presently with my cane, when all became
quiet as the grave.
"On another occasion, in the midst of
sermon, some young men in the rear of tn
church talked loud enough for Father Wood
to hear In a moment he stepped quietly t
the outside, and seeing them he said,
thought it was parcel of negroes Befor
he could reach his seat all had quietly take
their seats in church, we'll knowing that
they had heStated to come he would hag
brought them in.
"On another occasion some young ladie
in a moment of thoughtlessness were talkin
and laughing near him. He turned toward
them, admonishing them with look.
was sufficient. No one ever thought Fatht
Woods said or did an improper thing S