Lincoln University 14th of 6th [month] 1870 Dear Friend: Thy very interesting letter came yesterday and found me in the midst of packing up, as I expect to leave to-morrow evening after [Commencement] Exercises. My work here is done; for the present at least. I met my boys in Bible class yesterday for the last time. They did not know then that I am going to leave; though I think most of them know now. I told the President a week ago. The spirit in which he received the announcement indeared him to me more than ever. I hope thee will meet [President] Rendall. He is a noble man. He has a fine mind, has improved it by study and foreign travel, is a man of elegant manners, pleasing address and charming personal presence. He is a Presbyterian clergyman; and thee will excuse me if I say that it [Underlined: seems] [Left margin] during vacation. They are poor hands on a harm. They are not accustomed to our modes of labor, and they seem not to know what a faithful days work is. Many of them go off to Cape May and other watering places and act as servants and waiters. Some go south and start private schools. I think Obanyon has written to the lady who is supporting him, and has offered her his services. It will be harder to provide for Allan on account of his lameness. A lady [Top margin] Any thing addressed to me [Underlined: Attleboro, Bucks [County]] will reach me, though I may be in [West] Virginia. I shall always be interested in thee and in thy labors, and pleased to hear from thee at any time. Very [truly] thy friend, W. Woodruff. [Left side] [Underlined: to me] that Friends are rather inclined to think severely of the ministers of other denominations. But I'll trust thee to do justice to the President if thee ever has an opportunity to know him. He is what your Discipline terms a "Hireling Minister." But when a man in the prime of his life, with no family dependent on him, devotes himself to the Education and connelization of the African race with much unceasing and incessant assiduity as does our President, and at a salary that compels him to draw on his own private means to eke out his support - I think we will both agree that the "hireling" part is hardly worth talking about. Thee said thee did not want thy boys to be "preachers if they are to dress up in fine clothes and eat bread paid for by the hard earnings of others." I will tell thee frankly how we feel about this. No special efforts are made here to induce men to become ministers. Efforts [Underlined: are] made to induce them to yield their hearts to the power and influence of gospel truth. [Left margin] living near gave me 10 [dollars] for Allan sometime since, although she knew nothing of him except my account of his accident and lameness, which came from thee through the President. I will see her husband to-day or to-morrow and see if they can give him any thing to do on the farm. [Top margin] I should be happy to call and see thy "model mother," but should feel a little awkward in calling on such account solely. If thee were at home I would call this week, as I expect to spend two days in [Philadelphia]. I was never in Darby. I made the acquaintance of Matilda McAllister during the [Right side] This done, we believe each will be led to his appropriate calling and field of labor. We do not, however, hesitate, as one means of indicating the Divine will, to suggest to such as seem anxious for light - regard to duty, what is the opinion of those who know them best. But I can truly say that, while this institution is under Presbyterian control, I have seen no disposition to build up sect. If our pupils become teachers, either general or religious, it is quite probably that they will, for the most part, wear better clothes than those who raise the bread they eat. Most teachers do. But if they are earnestly engaged in doing a work that the world needs to have done, whether it is cultivating a farm, teaching a school, inviting those "who labor and are heavy laden" to the Saviour, creating works of art that shall elevate and refine all who look upon them, or [?] a pure thought in immortal verse, we shall feel that they have a right to hold up their heads as those who [Underlined: work] for a living: - have a right to a stall in the worlds great market and no one can properly eject them or cry down their goods. I trust thee will not misunderstand me. I [Bottom margin] I have neither time nor space this morning It has rained every day but two for the last nineteen days. Wet, wet, [Left margin] session of the State Teachers' Association in 1867. I was very much pleased with her, and afterwards met her sister at the [Delaware] [County] Institute. They lived in Darby, Matilda has since married. At this moment - occurs to me that thee may be a relative of their's, as I think there is some connection between them and the Price family. appreciate thy feelings on this general subject - as touching these boys. My wife was a Friend, having a membership in both branches of the Society, my children have lived with Friends for the last six years, and I know something of their ways and feelings. Therefore I think I understand thee. I have written with the same friendly freedom that I would use were I talking with thee, only I have been obliged to express myself briefly. - Thee spoke (with a note of exclamation) of being bashful. Whether thee was in earnest or spoke ironically, [Underlined: I am bashful]. People always laugh when I say so, which convinces me that by long practice I have become a good actor. But if I am at Lancaster I shall take pains to find thee. For I am deeply interested in the work in which thee is engaged, and in thee for the work's sake, and for the spirit in which thee has undertaken it. Thy unselfish devotion makes me feel ashamed of my poor efforts. But thee would like to hear more of thy boys. I have not much new to say. Allan has full recovered, and has been in school for the last week. I felt rebuked that I said nothing in my last about the prospect of getting work for the boys. I had spoken to the President about it, and intended to speak of it in my letter. But as I had nothing of a positive character to communicate, I did not think of it until my letter had gone. It is difficult to get labor here for the students [Bottom margin] There is much more, suggested by thy letter, that I would like to say but [Left margin] I found this morning that I had unwittingly put beyond reach every sheet of paper. [Top margin] So I picked up a sheet among refuse paper and on it have written this. Whatever thee may think of the Letter, thee shall confess that the sheet is well filled. I destroy all letters received except those of importance in business. Please do the same with mine. (See [first] page.)