Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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School. The morning arrived and with it were brought back, to the hearts of many, the brightest hopes of former days. But just as the sun of their fondest hopes was scattering the last drifting mist from their hearts a cloud suddenly rose and hovered heavily above them. In May the academic building was burned. In the following year, however. Dr. Y. Hooper, of North Carolina, was chosen president of the Theological Department, and thus the work of educating the ministry was continued even through days of gloom and discouragement. And in those dark days of struggle were instilled in the hearts of many noble young men thoughts and ideas that have blessed South Carolina in after years. In the year 1S40 Doctor Hooper was succeeded in the presidency by Dr. J. I,. Reynolds, and in the course of four years he was in turn succeeded by Dr. J. C'. Furman. This eminent teacher had as his co-workers Rev. J. S. Mims. Professor of Systematic Theology, and Rev. Peter C. Edwards. Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Exegesis. I'nder their skillful guidance the institution began to nourish in a more marked degree. Indeed, after a few years an invitation was sent from Greenville asking that the school be moved into her borders. The news of this soon spread to all quarters of the State, and the enlargement of the institution and removal to Greenville was a general topic in Baptist circles. To bring the proposed change to a reality. Doctor Furman, in 1840. was successful in securing $70,000 for Furman I’niversity with the understanding that it be located at Greenville. Three years later the proposed change was effected, and again, under the leadership of Dr. I. C. Furman, the doors of Furman Academy and Theological Seminary were opened, and about sixty students found their way into her sacred rooms. Twelve months more witnessed the birth of the “Standard College of Liberal Arts. This year also marks the arrival on the campus of an eminent man and teacher. Dr. Charles Hallette Judson. After the death of Professor Mims in 1855. James P. Boyce assumed charge of the Theological Department of the I’niversitv. He had as his worthy associates in the Seminary John A. Broadus. Basil Manly, and W illiam Williams. This famous quartet did much in promoting the cause of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The I’niversity continued in a prosperous conditon for a few years. The dawn was bright and hopeful. But soon the trumpet blast was heard in the distance and the clouds of coming conflict began to gather. The strife was evident, and on its shadowy eve two hundred and sixty young men who had gathered within Furman’s peaceful walls to sit at the feet of such gifted men as Judson. Eurman. Boyce. Williams, and Manly, laid aside their books and in response to the clarion call of their beloved State matched forth to war. After four years of martial conflict the drooping flag of the annihilated Confederacy was furled, and the weary, half-starved, half-clothed, broken-hearted Confederates returned to their devasted Southland. But the ruins themselves 1

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A Brief History of Furman University THE record of Furman University is that of struggle, sacrifice and triumph. In exulting over the splendid triumphs one may he inclined to forget the strenuous struggles and silent sacrifices that have placed Furman where siie now stands. Then patiently attend, kind reader, while we present the paramount events transpiring, which have developed stage by stage the grand old institution which we all love to call Furman University. Twenty-five years before the writing of the Declaration of American Independence there was a man named Oliver Hart, who went from place to place speaking and working for the Baptist school in South Carolina. After his earthly career was ended, the agitation for an educated ministry was taken up by I)r. Richard Furman, who migrated with his parents from New York. Doctor Furman will ever be remembered as the first president of the Triennial Convention of Baptists, the founder of Mercer University of Georgia, and Hamilton University of New York. For a number of years this faithful, devout man pleaded and worked for a Baptist institution of learning in South Carolina, but he did not live to see its real inception. I fowever, the dreams and plans of this earnest worker passed into the hearts of others, who in the year 1S27 founded at the old Edge-field courthouse the institution that has ever borne his name—Furman Academy and Theological Institute. The Academy began its eventful course with only one man at its helm, 'file future looked dark and gloomy, and for two long years the institution lingered on the verge of disbandment. At this impending crisis it was suggested by Basil Manly. Sr., then the influential young pastor of the Edgefield Baptist Church, that the Academy be moved to a place not far from the Savannah River, 'flic convention. believing that they could secure the co-operation of the Georgia Baptists, accordingly removed the school to a location near the Georgia line. The results were not so good as exjK-cted and in 1830 the convention decided to take the institution to the I ligh 11 ills of the Santee. Here with discouragement on all sides lames Hartwell and Samuel Furman freely opened the treasury of their minds to a few thirsty young men who had been given scholarships at the institution. For four years these generous-hearted instructors toiled and strived in order to keep the door of the Academy open. But the scheme of the scholarships proved futile, and in 1835 the doors were closed and the students sorrowfully made their way toward home. As a partial result of this failure there was a cessation for about two years. Then on a bleak morning in January. 1837. it was whispered half timidly, half hopefully, around in the towns of innsborough that l’rof. Y. E. Bailey would open at that place on the first Monday in February a Manual Labor Classical 16

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seemed to breathe into the hearts of the weary soldiers a new hope, and truly did they show a heroism which was equal to that shown so many times on the battle plains. Once more the eyes of the Baptists of South Carolina were turned toward Furman. But nothing could now be seen save the Main Building standing in grey outline on a lonely campus of about fifty acres. What could be done? During an interval1 of four years several attempts to answer this question were made. But it was not till 1869 that the school was permanently on sure ground. Under the presidency of Doctor Furman, who continued to serve in this capacity till 1881, the school, year after year, breathed more freely. In the year 1881 Dr. Charles Manly assumed control and directed operations wisely and well until his resignation in 1897. During his administration the financial agent. R. H. Griffith, was successful in raising a considerable endowment fund. Xew buildings also were erected on the campus, among which were Judson Cottage, erected by the Baptist ladies of South Carolina at a cost of $2,800. and Griffith Hall at a similar cost. At the termination of Doctor Manly's incumbency. Dr. A. I . Montague was chosen president. The administration of this brilliant man was one of great undertaking and accomplishment. During the first year that he was officially connected with the University, two modern and much-needed buildings were erected on the campus—Montague I fall (the dormitory), at a cost of $12,000. and Judson-Alumni Hall (the auditorium), costing $22,000. Dr. Edwin M. Potcat, the present President, succeeded Doctor Montague in 1903. In this year, through the untiring efforts of the financial agent. Rev. Joel I. Allen, subscriptions amounting to $125,000 were secured for Furman's endowment. Of this amount $21,000 was given by that “grand old man.” who gave his time, talent and fortune to the institution which was so dear to him— Dr. C. II. Judson. In March, two years later. Mr. ndrew Carnegie proposed to donate $15,000 for a Library Building, provided that a like sum be raised as an endowment for the Library, 'file condition was met bv the generous response of Doctor Judson, who created the Chas. 11. Judson Endowment Fund for the Library. On January 12. 1907. in his eighty-seventh year. Doctor Judson passed over the River into the Great Beyond. He had been connected with the University for fifty-six years, during which time he served as Professor. Treasurer. Acting President, and Dean. In recognition of bis eminence as a mathematician and teacher, a short lime before his death he was granted a pension of one thousand dollars per annum by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Doctor Judson. in his last will and testament, made the Library Endowment Fund residuary legatee of bis estate, and it is expected that several thousand dollars will in this way be added to the fund. 18