Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-09-29
CORNER STONE LAIN
EPOCH IN HISTORY OF
LOCAL BAPTIST SOCIETY.
Sketch of Rev. Silas Isley to Whom New
Church is to be "A Memorial.

Church is to be a Memorial.
Sunday, September "a, has gone down
in the history of the Baptist society of
Middlebury as day marking one of the
most important epochs in the existence
of the church in this town. On that
afternoon was laid the corner stone of
the imposing marble edifice that is to be
built through the generosity of Col. s.
A. Ilsley, as memorial to his father,
the Rev. Silas Ilsley, for many years
prominent in Baptist circles in New
York and New England.
The ceremony of laying the corner
stone, occurred at three o'clock, the
Rev. George R. Stair presiding over the
exercises. Scripture was read by the
Rev. Thomas Simms, pastor of the Con-
gregational church of this village, a
prayer of invocation was offered by the
Rev. w. H. Washburne, pastor of the
local Methodist church.
The address was delivered by the Rev.
Gibbs Braislin, d. D., pastor of the first
Baptist church of Rutland, who took for
his subject, "Links of Gold in the Chain
of Christian Living" 1t was very able,
scholarly and helpful discourse The
corner stone was laid by Col. S. A. Ilsley.
The copper box, which was placed in the
stone, contained a copy of the Holy
Bible, minutes of the Vermont Baptist
State convention, history of Middlebury
Baptist church, list of the present officers
and members, history of Rev. S. Ilsley,
photographs of the Rev. Silas Ilsley, Col.
S. A. Ilsley, the Rev. George X. Stair,
the present church building and the new
parsonage, copies of the Baptist Ex-
aminer and Watchman, Middlebury
Register and Middebury Record, coins
of 1905 issue, United States currency and
copy of program of present ceremonies,
The prayer of conservation was offered
by the Rev. William A. Dawson. d. D..
superintendent of missions, Vermont
Baptist State convention. A hymn was
sung and the benediction pronounced by
DR.. Braislin.
As this magnificent structure of
marble Is to be erected as memorial 10
the late Rev. Silas Ilsley brief sketch
of this clergyman, whose memory will
live for generations in the hearts of
Baptists not only in this town but in
New England, is given.
Rev. Silas Ilsley was born in Portland,
Me-, July 10th, lS09 At the age of II
he was converted, and after year S
preparation, entered Waterville college
NOW Colby, from which he graduated
in 1887, and was married October of
that year to Miss Lucy p. S. Harding,
to whom three sons were born-S. A.,
Samuel H. and Louis C.-of whom Col
S. A. Ilsley of this town alone survives.
He then went to Newton Theological
Seminary. During this course of study
he preached often in Boston for DIR. Stow
to whose old church in Portsmouth, n
H., he was called before finishing his
studies; but he declined the CALL as he
wished to complete his course. Or
leaving Newton, he became pastor of the
First Baptist church in Brooklyn, n. Y
The first year he baptized 60. and during
his pastorate nearly 400 were added tc
the church. His health failing after {
service of nearly five years, he left for {
country home in Warren, Me. Here he
remained a year and a half, and 12I
were added to the church, when he wa
urged to go to Portsmouth. He wa
called to Rockland, Me-. and later ac
cepted pastorate in Albion, N. Y. From
this place he went to Yorkville, n. Y
and to Bushwick avenue, Brooklyn
starting these two churches lie lef
these churches to younger hands, anC
took the pastorate of the Baptist churcl
in Essex, Conn. When he felt his worl
was finished, he left for Damariscotta
Me-, from which place he was called I,
the service of the American Baptist Pub
SssAtion Society, which he served a
@District Secretary nine years, two year
in New England with Boston for head
quarters, and seven years in the state o
New York. Being anxious to engag,
once more in the pastoral work, he set
tied with the church in Dover Plains, N
V, in 1870, where he remained nearl,
six years. This was his last pastorate
He retired to Syracuse, N. Y, and mad
his home with his son, Prof. S. II. Ilsley
the remainder of his life dying July :
1886, while on a visit to Manilus, N. "