The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-01-18


of the death Of the venerable DR.. JosnrA
BATES formerly President Of Middle.
bury College. He died at Dudley, Mass,
On the lith inst, at the advanced age of
nearly sevcnty-eight years Funeral SER
vices were to be had at lis late residence
In Dudley, yesterday ---the sermon TO be
preached by Rev VIM. D Sprnguc, D.
D., Of Albany. His remains are to be
brought to this villng. for burisl to-day.
Well-known aud highly esteemed as
D.. BATES was hers, whore he ,pcnt so
many years Of the prime Of his life. ard
aftc;ionate as is the remembrance Of his
Numerous pupils scattered now all over
,hc land, this melancholy event will be
deeply and widely mourncd Soon after
it Mas known here, the bell of the Church
where, for twenty years, he was wont TO
be a constant attendant, aid to preside
at the annual College festivals, an
nounced, with solemn toll" his dcrar.
turc from life.
The deceased was born March 20,
l776. Having completed his collegiate
and professional courses Of study he was
ordained as pastor of the FRS. Congro.
gational Church, in Dedham Mass,
March Is, 1903 He was inauguratcd
MS President of Middlcbury College
March ls. lSls-an Office lie continued
to hold until his resignatiou, in 1899, a
period Of more than twcnty-one years,
which were the most prosperous tic Col
lego has seen hitherto. In the spring OF
1913, he was settled over the church at
Dudley, where he remained until his
death.
OF DR.. BATES as a preacher, an in
structor, and o man, it is not for us, at
this time, to speak His published vol.
ume of Sermons is in the hands of many
of our readers, and not few will re.
membor his impressive and profound dis
courses, as they came from his lips.
More than half the Alumni Of our Col.
lege were educated under his presidency
aud arc witnesses of his qualities as a
teacher and counsellor. As man, his
memory will ever be cherished by those
with whom lie associated here. and will
be hallowed as o tradition. vi hen they.
too, arc gone,
The last visit Of Dr. BATES to this
place Except ut the burial OF his dough
ter, the samo year, was on the occasion
Of the Semi Centennial Celebration OF
the founding Of Midilcbury College lin
August, S5o), in the exercises of Which
he had an important part. The affecting
close Of his address at that time will oc.
cur to every one who was present. 1t
was in these most impressive words
Il have done have spoken my last
speech | have finished my last work in
Middlebury-in Vermont. Soon must
leave these pleasant scenes forever. In
few days, must depart, never to re,
turn to this interesting spot. where |
spent almost twenty-five years Of the
most vigorous and active portion OF life
where ! was permitted to and in forming
the minds and characters of nearly three.
hfths Of the Alnmni of the College
where I enjoyed the friendship of most
Of the inhabitants of the place and OF
the surrounding region where, / may
add without boasting, / labored much
and, hope, not without somo benefit
not only to the College, but to the com
munity, aud to the churches planted in
this portion Of our beloved country
where | leave many living friends, and
monuments Of some, who crest from
their iabors" | 20 probably, to return
no more. 60 home, to my native
State-l WIS about to say--to die and
be buried with my fathers; but | should
rather say, to finish the work given me
to do IN earth-to labor, with what OF
strength remains, in the vineyard Of the
Lord-tc work, while the day lasts, and
wait patiently, till my change comc.
Yes, friends, to labor for l hold, that
labor is the mission Of man on earth and
especially Of those, who are called and
consecrated to the work Of the ministry
while they arc able to speak a word in
their Masters cause, even if it is only to
say. with the aged and beloved apostle
Little children, love one another"
II 60. Farewell Thou beloved
College, to thee | again say, farewell
Farewell, thou pleasant stream, so often
crossed at carly dawn and even tide
farewell. till thy waters shall cease to
flow Farewell, 20 mountains green, so
often viewed with sublime emotion, as
The work Of an Almighty hand )" fare.
well, till your base Of primitive rock
shall melt with the fcrvent heat of the
last day Farewell 80 MONUMENTS Of
departed fricnds--of the pious dead !;
farewell, till the trumpet shall sound,
aud they 4" who sleep in Jesus. shall rise
to glory, honor and Immortality 1" Fare.
we'll Alumni of the College former be
loved pupils, farewell Ncighbors and
friends all, farewell. till We meet at the
judgment seat of Christ. Farewell !"
&c The first meeting Of the Ben
nington Battle Monument Association