Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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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

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UK RICHARD FURMAN

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had seen over thirty students aided in their studies during his long life, and still had in the Association some $8,000 in cash over all expenses. Ilis farewell sermon was from the text: “According to the grace of Hod which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation and another buildeth thereon; but let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon.” The highest evidence of his penetrating wisdom in the persevering efforts to incarnate his plans in reference to education is found in the men who followed and carried them on: B. Johnson, Basil Manly. Sr., J. L. Reynolds. J. C. Furman. James 1 Hovee, W illiam Williams, Basil Maniy, Jr., J. A. Broadus and others, many of whose names are written in the book of life. In his well-developed manhood, physically, mentally and spiritually, like Abraham, he towers high above his brethren of that day and generation. lie was a man sent of God! 14