The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-11-23
Death of President Labaree- Memorial
Services.


Rev. Benjamin Labarce, ID. d., IL. D.,
formerly president of this college, died
at Walpole. n. H., on Thursday. the
10Th inst. He was born in 1901 and was
graduated from Dartmouth college in the
ella of 1928 having as classmates among
others Profs. +. o. Henry, Clement Long,
Caleb Mills, n. $. Folsom, Jarvis Gregg.
Milo p. Jewett. David Peabody, Ira
Young and Osgood johnson. He studied
theology ut Andovcr and graduated at
the same time as Prof. Park and Rev DR..
William Adams of New York. lie be-
came president and professor of ancient
languages in jackson college. Tenn, and
then secretary of the Education society at
New York. In 1910 he became president
of Middlebury college and held that post
for 26 years. After leaving this place.
he was. for while. lecturer on moral
philosophy and international law at Dart
mouth, and in 1874 he delivered lectures
on those topics at our college. He re-
ceived the honorary degreee of ID. ID.
from the University of Vermont and that
of IL. ID. from his alma mater. He
leaves a widow and two sons-John G.
Labaree, Congregational minister ut Ran
dolph. Mass, for the past Is years. and
Benjamin Labaree, a missionary in Per
STA since 1861.
Appropriate memorial services were
held in the Congregational church i'm this
village. last Sunday evening. President
Hamlin occupied the chair. The church
was draped. After singing. DR.. Hamln
read parts of the Goth and DIST Psalms,
and offered prayer.
DR.. Hamlin said he had never been per-
sonally acquainted with DR.. Larabee ;
but while in Turkey he knew of Middle
bury college and of DR., Larabee's work
here; that the college, though small,
sent out very large number of mission
aries. His idea of President Labaree
was that he was a man of great sanctity,
of great personal influence.
Professor Parker was the second speak
err He would endeaver to answer few
questions which always suggest them
selves when great man dies. President
Labarce came of a vigorous race. His
father was a farmer. Prof. Parker spoke
of seeing DR.. Labaree at his home but a
few weeks since, and gave the principal
facts in his life. DR.. Labaree was man
of prayer, and believed in prayer. He
was very unselflsh man. Once he was
offered the secretaryship of the American
sions. but declined because he believed
his dutv was to remain here.
Uon.J. w. Stewart said he remembers
ed very well the nipht when DR. Tohorec
arrived in Middlebnrv to take charge of
the college. and the enthusiasm with
which he MAS received. Very soon after
that he entered college and came undc,
the personal influence of DIR. Larabee.
As he thonUht of Dr Ior,hea.e liza ho
was SURPRISED TO find so little that could
be criticized in an unkind wav. Coming
here mt a time when the condition of the
college was very much depressed he
took nm the work with the vipor and
honefuiness which were characteristic ot
the man. He was a manly man. true
couraueous and faithful His manners
we've ALWAYS the manners of a true zen.
tleman. lie was man of orcat pers0nal
dignity. lie had n strong will. but il
was always bent on good Durposes Tie
was ALWAYS on the rigbt side. He was
Interested i'm nonulor nuestions lie was
a broad man Informed ON local and ma.
tionol tonics lie knew more men in the
county than any one in his nrofession.
And every one liked him. Ills nreachino
was direct. plain. forcibl.. lie talked
st,aioht to the noint II mioht he said
| of him truly tIat tho com,Hon neonl,
hn,rJ him Ul,dIv There w,s On. nuaIi,
tv in whirh he surnassed nny onr th,
Sneaker had ever known. and that was ir
fidelity He always kent his engage
ments In those DAYS nravors werr heIc
before Lpht in winfer hut DR. I,ahare,
was alwavs nresent. Ills instruction wa.
like his preaching plaiu. simple. direct
sensible.
Hon. l.. ID. Eldredce was tbo next
sneaker. His ncnnainianrc with DR.
Lnbnree began almost with his life
Ua told III ;n,nrass;o, ,,,,an ,,,,a,
him bv DR.. Iabarae when he was a bo,
after he had entered upon the practice OF