Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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Historical Sketch 1826-1926 |HE history of our noble University may well be likened to that of a Royal Ship, built by Royal hands and for all time manned by Royal men. Since the be-| ginning when Dr. James C. Furman laid the keel of our good ship, and Dr. Charles II. Judson set her ribs of steel, has Furman plowed her way through many a turbulent sea, and from an o’erwhelming power of destruction and complete obliteration has emerged victorious to display her Beacon as a Star high in the Heavens, one to which thy sons, Dear Alma Mater, may pledge their sacred vow. The resolution of the Baptist State Convention establishing the institution was adopted in December. 1825. The piece of property on which it stood at Edgefield was deeded to the State Convention March 17, 1826, and the institution opened January 15, 1827, at Edgefield, as The Furman Academy and Theological Institution.” After a year and a half in Edgefield, it was moved to the High Hills of Santee, where it remained till 18.54. was suspended for the two years, 1835-36. and subsequent efforts resumed in February, 1837, resulted in the opening of a Manual Labor Classical School on a large tract of land four miles south of Winnsboro. The Theological Department began again in 1838. 'Fheological instruction was given from its foundation to 1859, when the 'rheological Department became the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. There was an academic department during the period at Edgefield and again during the first two years at Winnsboro. This work was resumed on the removal to Greenville. Some academic training was given to the ministerial students throughout the period, but others than theological students were not accepted for most of the years before the removal to Greenville in 1851, when it was re-chartered as The Furman University. Fifty-nine acres were purchased at first, but a part was afterwards disposed of. In 1852 the College of Liberal Arts began its work. Four years after the University was opened, the Treasurer, C. H. Judson. reported to the Convention that $43,500 had been spent for buildings and improvement of grounds; $1,000 for purchase of real estate; $3,825 for interest and exchange; $3,300 for Library, and $37, xx for salaries of instructors and agents. In 1859 the Fheological Department, under James P. Boyce, grew into the Southern Baptist 'Fheological Seminary with John A. Broad us, Basil Manly, and William Williams completing the famous quartet as Professors. In this year, 1859. Dr. Furman became President of the University, and served in that capacity till 1879, as Chairman of the Faculty till 1881, and as Professor of Moral Philosophy till his death, in 1891. Dr. Charles Manly succeeded to the Presidency in 1881 and held that position till 1897. The period from 1865 to 1885 was a period of precarious struggle. At its bc- 23