Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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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

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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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During the session 1906-1907 the Library Building was erected at a cost of $23,000, Mr. Carnegie having added $4,000 to his original gift and other friends of the institution contributing a like sum. In the autumn of 1906 the General Education Hoard of New York proposed to contribute $25,000 towards the erection of a Science Hall at Furman, provided that South Carolina Baptists would, by January 1, 1910. contribute $25,000 for the same purpose, and also add $25,000 to the permanent Endowment Fund of the institution, making a total endowment of $200,000. A few months later, at the Baptist State Convention in Spartanburg, the pro]x sition of the General Education Board was accepted with enthusiasm. Rev. E. P. Easterling and (). I,. String-field were employed as financial agents to secure subscriptions to cover the necessary amount. In the meantime,- Mr. Andrew Carnegie donated $25,000 to materially assist in erecting the Science Hall. However, at the Slate Baptist Convention held in Anderson, in December, 1909, it was made known that the great undertaking of 1906 would fail if $14,000 could not be raised before the first day of January. This would mean the loss of the conditional sum promised by the General Education Board of Xew York, and also the conditional donation from Mr. Carnegie. But a concerted campaign was at once begun and before the midnight bells announced to the sleeping world the birth of the Xew Year, the victory was won. and the cherished dreams of South Carolina Baptists were coming to pass. The victory assumes the immediate erection of the James C. Furman Hall of Science, which has been needed many years. The building, which will cost $50,000, of which $15,000 will be expended for furniture and apparatus, will be composed of apartments for classes in psychology, chemistry, physics and biology, and physical laboratories. It will also contain the museum of Natural History. It is gratifying to know that the contractors expect to complete this beautiful struction about the first of May, 1911. When the Science Hall shall have been erected and the proposed improvements on the other buildings shall have been made, Furman University will rank along with the foremost colleges of the Southland not only in modern equipment, but also in educational standard. May the glorious day soon dawn when the priceless influence of this grand Republic of Letters shall be felt throughout the nations of the world! J. W. Huff. 19