Page:Notable South Australians.djvu/279

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OR, COLONISTS—PAST AND PRESENT.
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Shiel as Bishop, who made him his Vicar-General. He was stationed in Adelaide, but often visited the country districts on the occasion of the opening or the laying of the foundation-stone of churches, and he accompanied the Bishop to the Provincial Synod at Melbourne in 1868, where he was appointed Secretary. By his conscientiousness, uniform kindness and tender regard for the feelings of all with whom he came in contact he won the affection of every member of the clergy and laity. Vicar-General Smyth was known and respected beyond the pale of his own church, having taken an active part in matters affecting the well-being of the colony. As a preacher and platform orator he possessed an amount of eloquence and earnestness that were always effective.


Rev. J. C. Woods, B.A.,

IS a native of Woodville, Bangor, Co. Down, Ireland, and the son of the late Rev. Hugh Woods, A.M. He was born in 1824, and received his early education under private tutors. In 1839 he graduated at the University of Edinburgh, and in 1843 took the degree of B.A. and obtained prizes in Greek and Moral Philosophy. After studying theology at Belfast, Mr. Woods directed his attention to medicine, and spent a year in a medical establishment in Norfolk. On leaving this occupation he was for some time engaged in teaching in Cheshire. Believing, however, as a minister he could effect more good, he adopted that as his future profession and officiated at Devonport, Northampton, Edinburgh, and the Isle of Wight. Mr. Woods arrived in Adelaide in 1855, and with the exception of a two years' visit to the old country, has resided here ever since. He is the representative head of the Unitarian Church in South Australia, and highly esteemed by all classes for the liberality of his opinions. His discourses are eloquent and forcible,, and as an orator he is much admired