William Warren Woodruff letter to Martha Schofield

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.)