The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-06-25
John M. Thomas Inducted
Into Office
DR.EzRABRAINERD RETIRES
After as Years Service--Describes Al
ministrator's Hard Duties Most I'm
pressiye Ceremonies ia History
Of the College.

NdluNttDuLNy Vunt 1At hSF. I<eta
Brainerd, for % years president Of Mid
diebury college, was retired yesterday,
and the Rev. DIR. John M. Thomas OF
Orange, n. j., was indicted into office
with ceremonies and exercises more elab-
crate aud imposing than any which have
occurred within the halls Of the cottage
since its foundation more than century
ago. Alumni and Representatives from
all parts Of The country were present to
witness the inauguration exercises.
Coy. John Franklin Fort OF New Jer-
sey, who was the recipient 0f the degree
oil doctor OF laws from the college, had
been expected to deliver the GRAFTON and
take "a prominent part In the exercises
iii Connection with the installation Of the
new president, but the governor notified
President Brainerd yesterday that it
would BE- impossible for him 70 attend
because of sickness in his family.
The exercises and ceremonies in CON
nection with the going out Of office OF
President Brainerd and the Inauguration
of DIR. Thomas we're held In The MiddIe-
bury Congregational church The stud
ents and visiting college representatives,
clad in their imposing academic COS
TUNES, with the alumni and other
guests, had formed on tbs collage campus
and marched 10 the church, where Mid
diebury commenccmenes have been held
for more than century, Here khe days
exercises were held in The presence Of the
greatest gathering WHICH has ever graeed
any ret of exercises In the history OF
the college
The Rev. Henry NJ Hubert, 10, Of
fered tue invocation previous ID the de-
livery Of TIRE keys and seal Oh the college
to DR. Thomas hy theretiring president.
The alumni bad selected the Rey. Junins
u. Mead Of Troy, NJ. ", to sly Il few
words Id their behalf, and Prot. Walter
E Howard Of the faculty was the spolSes
man for that body IN welcoming DR..
Thomas 10 the college The new prcsi-
dent had selected as the subject oil his.
inaugural address, Religion and Higher
Education, and ID discussing the subject
outlined also his plans and hopes for the
continuation Of the work maintained for
50 long time BY President Brainerd
Fer the last time I'll almost q quarter
of century, the retiring president con-
ferred upon the graduating students and
those 81 the alumni and other prominent
men favored BY The college, the degrees
of the institution.
Dr. Thomas. the ninth president Of
Midlebiiry college. was born about 81
years ago III Fort Coyington, N NJ, one
mile from the Canadian line. His father
vas the Rev. Chandler n. Thomas. also
i graduate 81 aIiddleBury college of tho
class of 1861 I'll early boyhood Dr..
Thomas family home was changed to
Port Henry, N. u, from which he went
ia prepare for college at Franklin acad-
envy. Malone, n. n, and later, following
his fathers example, 10 AIiddIebtHy. lie
graduated III the class of 1890 Ic paid
in large part his own way through col
lego by raising honey.
Immediately after his graduation, he
was engaged III social ana religious work /
tn tic lower east side Of New York
City. and subsequently took theological
course in Union seminary. whence he
was graduated III 1883 He organized
church in East Orange, N. /
]. He was especially successful ID bis |
work with men, and was chaplain of d
company Of artillery for several years,
and was chaplain of the local Masonic
lodge, as well as grand chaplain 81 the
state for three successive terms. Dur
ms his stay in East Orange he was much
u demand Tor after-dinner speeches, Is.
pecially for gatherings of men Dr
Thomas has also found time for thor
,uah study and literary effort, paTtien-
arly in the line Of biblical criticism.
Many of the reviews 81 religious books
n The Independent and The Nation of
recent years have been IRON his pen.
Since bis election To Middlebury he has
published volume, Christian Faith and
.he Old Testament
4