Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-05-18

marked changes in the town. When he
u.s.. came mere the private residence OF
John X. Blake, one of the towns leading
business men, stood at the corner ~
MAIN and Elliot streets, where the Ver-
mont National bank now stands. On the
opposite corner, where the PEOPLES Ma
sionai bank now Is, stood the Office OF
LaTkin o. Mead, the lawyer. Mr.. Meads
son, the world-famed sculptor. Iarkin
g, Mead, jr., was at one time a clerk
with Mr. Thompson in the Williston &
lyler store. Mr.. Thompson was one OF
three active workers in the movement
which resulted in Transforming a barren
PAIN OF sand in the north part Of the
village into what Is now the village com
mon lie and young friend from New
York set out the rows Of elm trees which
now constitute one Of the chief beauties
Of Oak street
Being the son Of a Congregational
minister. Mr.. Thompson was reared in
uhe Congregational faith and he always
was prominently and actively identified
with that denomination. He Joined the
Centre church Of Brattleboro in 1852 and
was one OF its most loyal members. 1t
Is probably true that no other member
was as constant as he in attendance up-
on its services, not only on SUNDAYS. hut
at the Friday night meetings and the
business meetings. He STAYED away from
none OF the meetings without good rea-
son. For nearly Al years he was on the
board OF deacons, and for a long time
he was treasurer Of church benevolences
In these capacities he rendered efficient
service and kept in touch with the AZ
fairs Of the parish and its needs. He tool,
leading part In the business sessions
of the church and was thoroughly fanil-
lar with the history Of the organization.
He had held the position Of superintend-
emit OF the Sunday school, and for long
time he was one Of its teachers.
Mr.. Thompson possessed an ability and
tact, peculiar to himself, for getting att
people when the church, Sunday school
or any other organization with which he
was connected needed financial assist
ance or encouragement, and THIS was
demonstrated on several occasions. The
last occasion was two years ago, when
he secured pledges from the members Of
the parish sufficient to pay up all the
Indebtedness of the society and to make
extensive repairs on the church property.
After the money was pledged Mr.. Thomp-
son disclaimed any credit to himself, but
the parish knew that no other man could
have raised the money with as much
ease as did he
Although the greater part Of his de-
nominational activity and financial aid
was for the benefit of the Brattleboro
church, 1t was by no means limited to
that church. He was a firm believer in
both foreign and home missionary enter
prises and gave OF his time and his
means toward their support. He attend
| ed many town, county and state conven-
| tions, and In 1899 he was elected presi-
| dent Of the convention OF Congregational
churches OF Vermont. For many years
he was a director Of the Vermont Domes-
| tic Missionary society, and he made a
strong effort in the interest OF interde-
| nominational comfy.
1t was a predominant characteristic OF
Mr.. Thompson to take a lively personal
| interest in all our community affairs
He possessed real public spirit He took
this interest and was foremost In public
movements as they developed from time
| to time, not from any desire to gain at
tention or advantage for himself. but be-
cause he had a native, intuitive wish
to see the village and town developed ir
| the right way and to see our higher and
better interests upheld and advanced
His sympathy was quick and spontaneous
| There are many who have had occasion
helpful act as they sprang warm and
sincere from his heart were a comfort
/ and a stay In time Of bereavement OF
of other human need.
A Notable Incident In His Career.
It was through his courage to assai
the conservative minority that Mr.
Thompson led the liberal forces to VIC
L
lean Board OF Commissioners for For
eign Missions, held in Worcester, Mass.
beginning Oct. 10, 1898. Mr.. Thompson
was a corporate member OF the board
and he was then, as ever afterwards
deeply interested in its work. The board
began the year with a shortage OF $780,
900 on its previous years account Or
the Sunday before the meeting Rev
Charles A. Dickinson, pastor OF Berkeley
Temple, Boston, outlined the questions
which would come before the meeting
and said: There is something RADICAL!
wrong in the administration Of the board
and nearly everybody demands tina
the distrust OF the churches is that |
minority upon the board has set itsel
up as a theological tribunal and Is op
posed to admitting to les councils any
one who lisagrees with them. The au
tocratic administration of the boar
must be done away with"
The prudential committee OF the boar
had refused to send as missionary Rev
William H. Noyes because he held tina
there might be a future probation 10
dead heather who never had heard tn
gospel, and Mr.. Dickinson's church. act
Ing upon its own responsibility, had sen
Mr.. Moves as a missionary to japan
His work was very satisfactory, but h
was denied a regular appointment.
On the first forenoon OF its session i
Worcester the board appointed a com
rnittee Of 10, to whom 1t was voted I
refer all resolutions, unread. The lib
araI element believed that the purpos
of the committee was to smother all res
olutions which would tend TO disturb tn
existing order OF things. and when Nj
Thompson arose to read resolution !
open meeting he was told by the chai
that the action Of the board in the fore
noon would prevent him from doing 81