“WOODFULL.”

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1930, Page 2

“WOODFULL.”

CRICKETER’S STORY. HOW A PARSON HELPED. A story about Woodfull, captain of the Australian team,' is printed by the “New Zealand Methodist Times.” It was written by B. Vernon Bird, and first appeared in the “Baptist Times.” When the Australians were here in 1928 I. happened to be preaching on Sunday Where. Mr W. M. Woodfull was spending the week-end with a cousin of his father’s. And there he was in the pew. I was invited to ten. A choice' house for a man from one of the dominions to be visiting it was given by William the Conqueror to his son, Rufus. The chat over the teacups, between my host’s sons and their distinguished kinsman, was delightful. Presently Mr Woodfull fell into reminiscent mood, and told us a story which is well worth repeating here. I repeat it only from memory. One day, many years ago. a young Wesleyan minister was driving his buggy down a long, dusty road towards Melbourne. Far in front, he noticed a lonely man trudging along the road. He overtook him, and saw bim to be a young fellow, obvmuslv down nM out. wretched and woe-be-cmne The minister draws up and colls: “Care for a lift?” The young fellow: “Oh, thanks,” and gets up. Off they go. raising clouds of dust, and passing the small change of friendly talk.' In an lion- or two they come to the young minister’s house. Pulling up his horse, he says: “Here we are": you’d better ston and have a. snack of tea with me.” As they enter the house, the minister, in a glance, looks his shabby guest up and down. He sadly needs a good wash. “‘Perhaps you’d like a bath before tea ? The stranger e-’den+lv surprised and gratified, “Thanks; I just should!” Our minister hands him a towel and show’s him Dm bathroom. Meanwhile, a good solid “tea is prepared—grilled chops. They have their hearty ten, and a lively chat: and after tea shake hands as if they were old friends, and the young man continues his lonely way info the city. THE NIGHTMARE OF WAR. Some forty years passed. All the world" was found in the nightmare of the Great War. Australians had come 12,000 miles to stand hy the Motherland in the great struggle for justice and the liberty of small nations. Num- ; bers of them had been home in “Blighty” on sick leave. A dozen or go were on their way back to the front, at,one of our south-eastern ports. An elderly gentleman, . with white hair and a kindly (face, finds them lying on the grass “Australians, eh? What are you 'doing here?” “Going back to the front, but our boat has not turned up.” “How long have you to wait?” “Two or three hours.” “So you’ve time to have something to eat. Come along, all of you.” Up they gri, and march off with him to a large prosperous-look-ing house. The meal prepared, the hungarv Australians do it ample justice. The kindly hosts keep up a lively conversation, plying them with questions, one after another. “Your name, sir?” One voting giant answers “Wafkins,” another “Brown,” and so on. Presently he savs to another: “And your name?” “Woodfull. sir.” The old man. deeoly interested, exclaims: “Woodfull! Do vou know whether your family is related at all to a man who was a young Wesleyan minister in Melbourne some fortvvenrs ago?”. “Yes., sir, he’s my father!” THE BATH DID IT. There’s a silence. The old gentleman looks round the and with trembling voice exclaims: “Ah, boys. Had it not been for that young Wesleyan minister, neither you nor I should have sat at this table to-day.” Then he tells his story. He had gone out to Australia as a youth. There he ...'“wasted his substance,” and fell upon evil days. Everything gone, gone! Grim despair had him in his grip, and wrns driving him to the quayside at Melbourne—and the deep water. He tells them of a buggy that overtook him, the lift that lie had, the welcome meal; yes, and the bath. “Boys,” he said, “it was the bath that did it. To think that that young parson should offer me a bath! And band me a good clean towel. Yes, it was the bath that did it. I came out of that bathroom a new man. From that moment hope revived, self-respect, courage, resolve ; something in mo lived again. T made good. Pee this house, tin's table, all around vou! Fv the grace of God T owe H all to that young parson, Woodfull.”