Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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A Brief History of Furman University HE record of Furman University is that of struggle and triumph. In exulting over the splendid triumphs one may forget the strenuous struggle and silent sacrifices that have placed Furman where she now stands. As early as the beginning of the nineteenth century the leading Baptist of the State saw the need of an educated ministry. With this need in view they began to plan. The agitation for an educated ministry was taken up by Dr. Richard Furman (1755-1825). who migrated with his parents from New York. His name is written in letters of light over all the early history of the Baptists in South Carolina. He 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 did not live to see its real inception. However, the dreams and plans of this earnest worker passed into the hearts of others. The result was the establishment of h urman Academy and Ideological Institute at Edgefield, S. C., 1827. Shortly afterwards the school was removed to Winnsboro, in the Fairfield District. At the same time an agricultural department was added and the literary department broadened. From here, more than half a century ago, it was transferred to Greenville, its name having been changed to Furman University. Here, under the leadership of Dr. James C. Furman, the distinguished son of a distinguished father,” the institution was widened in every respect, and, despite the thickening shadows of the war, never was there such a bright prospect for the future as now. Eighteen hundred and fifty-two 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 Hallctte Judson. After the death of Professor Mims, in 1855, James P. Boyce assumed charge of the Theological Department of the University. He had as his worthy associates in the Seminary, John A. Broadus, Basil Manly, and William Williams. This famous quartette did much in promoting the cause of the Southern Baptist 1 heological Seminary now located in Louisville, Ky. For a few years the University was in a prosperous condition, with a faculty composed of young men versatile in talent, noted for their depth end breadth of learning and possessing rare mental vigor and acuteness, Furman University promised to be at cncc the foremost college of the South. The student body grew larger and larger every year and the dawn of Furman’s history was bright indeed. But clouds began to gather yonder. The trumpet blast was heard in the distance. I wo hundred and sixty men, who had gathered within Furman’s peaceful walls, laid aside Page l»enl f-lhrce