Page:Memoir of George B. Wood, M. D., LL.D.djvu/39

 "Yet partial friendship to these lays
 * Will not her ear refuse;

And, if she cannot justly praise,
 * Will labour to excuse."

Dr. Wood embodied in this epic poem his calm and deeply assured conviction of the truth and supreme importance of the Christian religion, which underlaid and supported the whole structure of his life.

A few lines from "First and Last" may suffice to set. this forth:

Few men, of positive belief and devout feeling, make so little outward profession of religion as did Dr. Wood. But this is not difficult to account for. Not only was he a man of much natural reserve, especially in regard to the most sacred emotions of his heart, but this disposition was promoted by circumstances. Born into membership with the Society of Friends, and