Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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UK RICHARD FURMAN

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year Dr. Judson was president. Then Dr. Edwin M. Poteat, pastor of one of the largest churches in Philadelphia, was called to till the chair, and accepted. For two years now he has been with us, and has pleased not only the student body, but also the denomination throughout the State. Last year two valuable additions were made to a faculty already strong. Sidney Ernest Bradshaw, Ph. I)., accepted the chair of Modern Languages, while Warren M. Steele, M. A. (Yale), became Professor of Philosophy. 1'he recent movement to endow the University met with great success. There was pledged in all $125,000, of which nearly $60,000 has been raised. Of the total amount pledged Dr. Judson gave $21,000. This venerable man. our link with the past,” as lie has so well been called by our president, is with us yet—hale and hearty in his eighty-sixth year. The value of his aid in prolonging the life of the institution cannot he estimated. He gave it his whole life, and then his fortune. Xay, more, he presented Furman with even his little house and farm in the suburbs of Greenville. Although so far advanced in years, he continues to meet a few classes in his beloved mathematics and astronomy, and in his quiet way shows young men the beauties of the ellipse, the parabola and the hyperbola, and how the value of an integer over an infinitesimal is infinity. May the day he far removed when no longer shall we see that dear form in the classroom and no longer hear that gentle voice bless and direct! Soon we hope to see a Carnegie Library added to our equipment. Another building which is much needed is a gymnasium. In the plans exhibited last commencement there were indicated the future sites of not only a gymnasium and a library, but also of another dormitory and a science ball. But, after all, there is something which we need much more than these and of which Furman University is fully deserving. It is the loyal support of on enthusiastic body of alumni. Nowadays no college can prosper unless the men who have gone forth into life from her walls look upon the institution from which they took their degrees as their mater, their mother. Filial affection bestowed in this way is not affection misplaced when the alma mater is Furman University. Rally, then, alumni, to the standard raised in Greenville. The recent proposal to change the name from Furman University to Furman College did not meet with approval. Well and good. If this school is to be called a university, let us make it one. The goal set before us now is the Baptist University of the South. 11

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©r. (Rtc arb jfurman ICHARD I'TIv.MAX was torn at Fsopus in Xew Vork, 1755. He was brought to South Carolina while an infant, and in his fifteenth year he went with ills family to the farm on the high hills of Santee. He and his mother soon became interested in a revival conducted by a Baptist preacher named Joseph Reese, and were led into the Baptist fold, lie was already a powerful preacher in his nineteenth year, and before he was twenty-five years old Cornwallis had offered a large reward for the influential rebel. In 17PO he began his public ventilation of education for children and especially for young men called to the ministry. He consumed five years in finding an unobjectionable plan for the churches to unite upon, and from that year. 1791, tiil his death. 1825, he was the leading American Baptist advocate of education. After twenty-two years spent in educating candidates for the ministry with the money that was furnished by a few churches, he went as a delegate to Philadelphia and was spontaneous!) selected as President of the Convention. He was recognized as the foremost man in the general body for what he had already done for the development of missions and education. In 1817 he was reelected President, and during the session lie made a set speech, advocating the propriety and the duty of the Convention to become also an educational tody. ()f this speech The Loiter Pay Luminary said : The President having, with the approbation of the Convention, called the Rev. Dr. Baldwin to the chair, placed before the body a speech of considerable length and great interest on tile very serious and religious importance of a well-informed ministry; upon which the Convention resolved unanimously that the communication made by the Rev. Dr. Turman, relative to the education of pious young men. who appear to be called of God to the work of the ministry, with other subjects connected therewith, be referred and especially recommended to the Board. The plan was in due time approved by the Board, but no lasting success at tended the central school at Washington, because Dr. Furman could not give with his plan that patient wisdom which made him work and wait for the slowly-expanding interest of his brethren in the great work. Twenty-eight years elapsed to fore three associations formed the State Convention with the prime object of founding the Furman Institution. In 1.824 he was for the last time present at the Convention and Board of Agents which were to begin the school within three years. He 13