Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-10
BIBLE SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY
Founded 100 Years Ago Monday
at Montpelier.
'IiRhsy-Eight Persons Enrolled u.s.
Members-Sketches Of FIRST Oft-
GERS Compiled by Lawrence
BrHincrd of Massachusctts.
To the Editor OF the Free Press

One hundred wears ago to-day. Oc,ohor
7, 1872, the Vermont Bible society came
into existence in Montpelier, the then
young capital Of our commonwealth. II
therefore seems fitting at this time that
some account Of our early fathers who
were responsible for the organization of
this society should demand at least a
passing notice.
The first meeting Of the society after
Its formal establishment was held in ,
Academy hall at Montpelier on the 18th
OF October OF the same year, Col Will /
lam G. Harrington of Burlington acting
as moderator and Judge Jeduthan LOOMS /
OF Montpelier as clerk. The opening SER
mon of the occasion was delivered by !
the Rev. Chester Wright of Montpelier, |
and ~ persons were enrolled as members
and the sum OF sS23.7 was raised for the
furtherance Of the society's work.
The II original officers, who were the !
founders of the organization. included
eight laymen and four clergymen. all
prominent figures in the early history Of '
the State. |
The first president OF the society was |
the Hon. Charles Marsh. LID of Wood
stock. Mr.. Marsh was born In Lebanon, |
Conn. July 10, 17s5. and was the son Of
Judge Joseph Marsh, Vermonts first
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Charles Marsh was |
leading lawyer of Windsor county for
over % years. United States district at |
torney during the second administration |
o. General Washington, a member of !
Congress from 1915 to 1917 and vice-presl-
dent Of the American Bible society. He |
was the father OF George p Marsh. the |
distinguished phlologist and diplomat, |
and grandfather of Mrs George f. Ed !
munds
The two vice-presidents were Colonel |
William Chase Harrington of Bur-
lington and the Rev Bancroft
Fowler yale 1880 Of Windsor. the
former a lawyer and member of the
governors council, who died in 1914 at
the age of IS and the latter, the fourth
pastor OF the Old South tCongrega tionaD
Church of Windsor, whore he continued
his charge till 1919 when he removed to
Bangor. Me, to accept the chair of clas-
steal literature In the Bangor Theological
Seminary.
The first treasurer. and later vice-prcsi-
dent OF the society was General Abner
Forbes of Windsor. one of the most prom
inent men of affairs in Vermont during
his generation. Born in Sutton. Mass.
February g, 17f2, he was successfully
colonel and brigadier- general Of militia,
president of the Windsor bank. legislator.
member of the governors council. chief
judge OF Windsor county court under the
old system of the States judiciary, a
trustee of Middlebury College, Columbian
University washington. d. CO and the
Newton Theological Institution, and a
member of the board of managers of the
Baptist general convention of the United
States. He was the father Of the late
Abner Forbes of ST. Adams. first treas
urer of the Vermont Central railroad. and
Of the late Mrs. J. D. Hatch of Burling-
ton.
William Page. 4 weli-known attorney
of Rutland and an alumnus of Yale. was
the secretary of the society Mr.. Page
| served cashier OF the old Rutland
bank and was the father of the late ex-
Gov. John B. Page
The original directors elected We're the
Rev. Heman Ball. the Hon. John Noyes
the Hon Samuel Swift. the Rev. Chester
Wright. the Rev. Thomas a. Merrill. DR.
| Joseph Winslow and Benjamin Porter,
| Esq.
The Rev. Heman Ball. ID. was a ma
| tive Of Springfield. Mass. pastor Of the
Rutland Congregational Church from 1897
| till his death in 1921 and member Of
the corporation Of Middlebury College
The Hon. John Noyes was successfully
resident of Rrattleboro and Putney.
lawyer merchant. member Of Congress
/ CT bAv of " ~
| Oneida Community fame, and the grand
father Of the gifted American sculptor,
Iarkln q. Mead. and of the late Mrs
| William Dean Howells.
| Judge Samuel swift. LID, the lawyer
historian OF Middlebury was a native Of
Nine Partners. Duchess county. n. Y.
and lived to the advanced age of 49, He
was for over so years engaged in the dis
| charge of the duties of elective office and
| was man of rare ability.
| The Rev. Chester Wright. pastor Of the
MONTPELIER Congregational Church from
| 1909 10 1880. ranked as one Of the fore
most divines OF New England and was
| the author of various works. including
n most favorably received mathematical
| treatise.
| The Rev Thomas A. Merrill, DID,
| served the MluultpuTy tOHSTeSatlOnal
| Church for many years and was a man
of brilliant intellectual attachments
DIR. Joseph Wnslow, a descendant of
| Kenelm Winsow. brother Of the col
| onial governor of Plymouth. was for
some wears a successful physician of
Windsor and died at the early age of
| 81 in the year lsl5
BENJAMIN Porter. ESQ., who was an
able attorney of Newbury. was the son
| of the tory colonel. Asa Porter, of New
burvport, Mass, and brother-in-law of
Judge Daniel Farrand of the Vermont
supreme court. Mr.. Porters sons. Tim
othy Olcott, Benjamin, Jr.. William Trot-
ter. George and Francis. all became con-
spicuous in the field Of American journal.
ism.
| 1t Is indeed n pleasure to contemplate
the continuance of the work, founded by
these worthy fathers a century ago. by
I their present day SUCCESSORS in the faith
ful diffusion of the Word OF God.
| Very truly yours.
Lawrence Brainerd.