Dr. Furman about the period now || both the active and passive virtues under consideration, deemed it pru- of the Christian character, up to the moment of his death. It were in vain to attempt an adequate delineation of a life so replete with all the sober energies of benevolence.

dent to retire with his family into North-Carolina and Virginia, to avoid the dangers of an invading and victorious enemy. This measure was naturally suggested by the examples of vindictive ferocity and History derives both its interest oppression, which were exhibited and its accuracy from the transiagainst all those who were known tions in the progress of human afto favour the revolution. In this fairs. But in the measured tenor retreat he continued to exercise the of a single life, made up of namehigh avocation of a Christian Min- less repetitions of the same acts, ister, and to display the feelings that variety which confers interest and sentiments of the true patriot. upon the series of events is not to The ability with which he urged the be found. Should the moral imprinciples of sacred truth on the pressions, however, be thereby dione hand, and the firmness with minished? Is the settled benignity which he asserted the rights of his of the great luminary to be less adcountry on the other, attracted the mired, because it is diffused by an attention of some of the leading order of unvarying succession men of the revolution. His ac- Are the stupendous works of nature quaintance and society were ac- to have less respect, because they cordingly sought by many who ad continue to a thousand generations mired his just and discriminating the same revolutions, stand in the views of useful policy, and the fer-same order, and produce the same vid rhetoric with which he vindica- results? The character which is ted the cause of his God. Among formed upon the great model of dithose who thus courted his early vine excellence, will indeed partake respect was the celebrated Patrick of the uniform aspect of the patHenry, who honoured him with at-tern, but it will also resemble it in tentions almost equivalent to a set- the beauty and grandeur of its tled friendship. features.

The life which Dr. Furman led in Charleston merits attention in the various instances of social, civhumane and benevolent, religious and professional.

That portion of his life which passed betwixt the period of his first ministerial exercises and his settlement in this city, was occu-il, pied with unceasing and successful exertions in the service of his Di- There was a spirit of frankness. vine Redeemer. And though at and generosity about him, which this time no events of an extraordi-qualified him for a pre-eminent stanary kind signalized his course, yet tion in society. No man better was there in all the tendencies of knew, or more strictly exemplified his benevolence and talent, a com- the principles of social deference prehensive goodness which fell like and respect than he did. His the dews of heaven upon the sur- whole temper was sweetened by the rounding scene. spirit of conciliation, and the ac tions of his life were all of that amiable and obliging character. which cements the union of good society. Though naturally grave and thoughtful, he was free from those severities of character which render the more gifted classes of our species inaccessible. The suc

In the year 1787, Dr. Furman accepted a pastoral location in this city; and here he moved in the uniformity of well-doing, in the labour of love, and in a life of selfdenying charities. Here he continued his residence, exemplifying by rich and affecting illustrations,

lina; and being a member of the Revolution Society, he was appointed by that respectable body in conjunction with the Cincinnati, to prepare and deliver discourses, one on the death of Washington, and the other on the death of Hamilton. The tribute which he paid to the virtues of these great men showed at once his intimate acquaintance with the events of the revolution, and his masterly power in delineating characters who had stood foremost in the struggle for liberty. In these funeral eulogies, which too are happy specimens of a diction formed upon the rules of a correct and pure style, he speaks like one who had been an eye witness of what he relates; and whilst he sur

cess of his endeavours in promoting harmony, good order, and amicable feeling, seemed but the result of spontaneous affection. For nearly the whole period of his ministry he was connected with one religious body formed upon the principles of a popular delegation, and consequently requiring much care and kind feeling to maintain its integrity. In this association he not only secured an invariable good will among the individual members, but under every variety of discussion, with every diversity of character and disposition, incident to a mixt assemblage, he sustained the just authority which his wisdom had established, and continued to the last to receive the testimony of unfeigned love. Among his duties as mod-veys with much coolness the moral erator, was the presenting of proper sublimity presented to view in the salutations to the messengers of life of a personage so illustrious as distant religious communities. On the father of his country, his adthese occasions we have witnessed miration is free from any tinge of scenes of indescribable tenderness. an idolatrous devotion to a mere His pathetic and engaging address, human instrument. But as he had his Christian refinement of expres-borne his part of the burden in the sion, and above all, the manly face over which charity had kindled a melting glow, impressed upon the transaction a character which memory could never give up. His very greetings thus contained an epitome of friendship, and a reception over which the spirit of humble pi-back the tide of war, and animated ety presided was considered a sufficient honour.

Such a mind as his readily comprehended all the important relations of life, and bestowed a due consideration on each. He recognized the debt which he owed to civil government, and from the serious, conscientious part which he sustained in several distinguished appointments, it was evident that he knew how to appreciate independence and freedom as a genuine patriot, who connected the glory of his country with the prevalence of Christian principles. Hence he was selected, among other leading men of the State, to assist in framing a Constitution for South-Caro

fearful conflict, and knew from ex-
perience what kind of magnanimity
was requisite to sustain a man in
the deeds of adventurous patriot-
ism, he was the better qualified to
appreciate the claims of those
whose valour and discretion rolled

the sinking hopes of their despond-
ing countrymen. His mind was
alive to every incident which could
be thought to have a bearing on the
happiness of the community in
which he lived. He lifted up the
voice of solemn admonition to warn
his fellow men of that sin which is
a reproach to any people, and to
plead the cause of that virtue which
exalteth a nation.
When tempest
or fire spread their destructive rav-
ages, he was among the first to call
for a humble and pious deprecation
of divine judgments, and to foster
the spirit of religious respect for
the providence of God.

In a recent period of the history of this city, when a providential

disclosure brought to light a plot, sympathies mitigated the sorrows which in its execution would have of the afflicted, his counsels directexhibited one of the most sangui- ed the wandering, and his fervent nary scenes in the annals of this prayers animated the dejection of country, Dr. Furman maintained the broken heart. In the chambers the part of a Christian citizen. As of the sick and of the dying, Dr. the President of the Baptist Con- Furman was a messenger as one in vention in this State, he prepared a thousand. He appeared to know an address to be delivered to the all the avenues of the heart, to perGovernor, soliciting the appoint- ceive, at once, the very hinge on ment of an early day to be observ- which turned the whole burden of ed in thanksgiving, for the wonder- grief, and to meet the more comful preservation of the city from so mon possibilities of human wo with horrid a conspiracy. This address some seasonable relief. On such is the obvious production of a mind occasions, there was something in not less influenced by the rational his manner which partook of a dilove of your municipal arrange-vine eloquence; when standing by ments, than by the spirit of becoming gratitude to the Author of all mercies. And were it not foreign to our design, we should notice the uncommon success and ability with which he conducted the argument in favour of a Public Thanksgiving, which many respectable citizens had thought to be an imprudent

measure.

Where I now stand it might seem superfluous to speak of that Christian philanthropy which shone in the whole life of your beloved Pastor. The time is so short since he appeared amongst you in charity's most lovely attitude, the impression of his benevolent acts must be yet so vivid, and the light of his practical goodness must still extend a radiance so sweet, as to make our tribute appear flat and vapid. For, if there was any one characteristic that occupied a conspicuous place amidst the virtues of his life, it was the spirit of unaffected good will towards his fellow men. If in a mind, where every excellence stood in the equipoise of truth and dignity, there might be a preponderating principle, that principle was the feeling of a humane kindness which suffering in any form elicited. To recount the varied and affecting examples of his pious benevolence, would be to furnish out a diary of those self-denying ministrations by which his

the couch of the afflicted, he pointed to scenes of future rest, and spoke a word in season for the honour of God and the merciful designs of his discipline. This was the true eloquence which, emanating from the heart, was carried with assuasive effect again to the heart.

His works of kindness and condescension were extended to a large class of your population, whose circumstances exclude them from the means of regular instruction. With indefatigable attention, he listened to the simple and crude narratives of these people, corrected with gentleneness their errors, and expounil|| ed to them with uncommon simplicity the way of life. His exertions in this department of his pastoral offices, though not the most shining achievements of his ministry, will yet be reckoned among those amiable deeds which will not go unrewarded in the day of final account. How many of these humble candidates for immortality he comforted with the aids of piety, may be estimated from the large number which resorted to this place for religious knowledge, and from the exemplary course of Christian morality by which so many have established the character of a sober and conscientious integrity. They too, loved the man whose lips kept knowledge, whose overflowing charity extended to them the joyful tidings

of salvation, whose ardent spirit || conscientious analysis of the diversified operations of his own mind; and the rigid scrutiny with which he sat in judgment on himself, added truth and certainty to the re

longed for their spiritual felicity, and whose unceasing vigilance was exerted for giving a brighter day to their ultimate prospects. They too, have felt the throb of undissem-sult of his close examination. Strict bled sorrow in looking round upon the void once adorned by their beloved Pastor.

and faithful in deciding upon his
own case, and a charitable judge of
others, he was qualified to unfold.
to the timid and wavering Chris-
tian those principles which an ex-
perimental process had developed
to his own view.
His religion,
therefore, was not a mechanical or-
ganization of frames and feelings,
not the irregular vehemence of a
transient passion, but the establish-
ed rectitude of a renewed heart
struggling with the principalities
of spiritual wickedness, and aspir-
ing after the blessed liberty of the
sons of God.

As an experimental Christian, Dr. Furman stood pre-eminent. He is to be placed among that class of Christians whose unsophisticated feelings form at once à comment on the truth of Scripture, and a test of genuine faith. His joys were not the bursts of sudden transport, his sorrows were not the paroxysms of temporary anguish. His whole life appeared to be an exercise of pious contrition, and the distinguishing feature in his religion was, the keen and penetrating conviction of his own depravity. If we are to judge true piety by the disposition which it assumes towards sin, if the living faith be known by the temper with which the believer stands affected towards the turpitude of his own nature, and if the most obvious tendency of that divine energy which moulds the inward man to the habits of spirituality and godliness, be the expulsion of sin from the heart, then may we contemplate a rich display of vital Christianity in your late beloved Pastor. Under such views you may not indeed expect to find in his whole life, the serenity of cloudless skies, and the perpetual smile of unchanging seasons. But if we have not been greatly deceiv-subject, and was enriched with ed, his experience resembled a faithful register in which the true state of the passing season had been duly noted, and where might be found that alternation of bright and gloomy days, which usually forms the real state of each revolving period.

In the deep and practical knowledge of the heart he was truly a master in Israel. His information had been derived from a severe and

As a Minister of the Gospel he had carefully studied, and successfully acquired all the proprieties of the sacred office. Like some of the great models of ancient eloquence, he conquered, by early assiduity, the natural impediments to the sublime art of persuasion, and thus acquired a habit of extemporaneous expression at once pure and perspicuous. His method of treating a subject was always remarkably happy, and no one ever thought of improving an arrangement of topics which his masterly conception had once formed. In the discussion of the several parts he was always deliberate and solemn. His style, which was simple and clear, rose by a natural elevation with his

chaste and pertinent illustrations. The general character of his preaching was judicious, affectionate and instructive; but frequently, in his better moments, he adopted a loftier strain, and, yielding to the impulse of a feeling which was deeply tinged with the native grandeur of his sentiments, he appeared before his audience in all the power commanding rhetoric. At such intervals, my brethren, we have seen

of a

sons of early wisdom upon the minds of your sons and your daughters. Though in his view of Scripture doctrine he followed no man exclusively, yet he was not unwilling to be found coinciding with such men as Doddridge, Fuller, and Dwight. He thought that many of the advocates of exact system in Theology had not deserved well of the cause, and that it accorded better with Christian wisdom to adopt an un

your Pastor, as if clad in the pan- || oply of truth, marching in the triumph which captivated hundreds had conceded to him. At such intervals the stranger, struck with astonishment by the expression of a form high in masculine dignity, and of a countenance which seemed to realize some of the best de signs of ancient and modern art, paused to listen to the tidings which fell from his lips. In this we do not utter a fanciful embel-mutilated Revelation, than to press lishment, but only speak what we have often heard expressed by men whose impartiality could not be suspected, and whose judgment and independence qualified them to utter an opinion deserving to be repeated.

it by forced constructions into the service of a system.

In general learning he had made such progress as would have ranked him among men of the first intelligence in any country. The defect in his grammatical studies was well supplied by his liberal and comprehensive knowledge of the Philosophy of Language, and whilst he did not lay claim to a minute acquaintance with the rudiments of the ancient forms of speech, he was well versed in useful criticism, and in the principles of rhetoric, both ancient and modern. Few men possessed a better taste than Dr. Furman. This faculty in him was so well cultivated, and withal, so much alive to the

position, that he had caught most of the finer passages in Classical and English literature, and treas

Seldom, if ever, have we known any man so distinguished for that prudence which is connected with respectability and usefulness. The smallest matters were weighed by him with a jealous circumspection, and where the feelings, or the opinions of others were concerned, he adopted the most conciliating and amiable course. As an evidence of this it will be sufficient to remark, that where he was known, all were his friends, none were his enemies. In asserting the peculiari-beauties of correct and elegant comties of the denomination to which he belonged, though bold and impressive, yet he always evinced respect for the sentiments and prac-ured them up in his memory. tices of others, and by the spirit of modest deference, he secured the kind regard of his opponents. Like Melancthon he was great in counsel, and whilst conducting plans of general utility and benevolence, exhibited a wisdom, the plenitude of which seemed adequate to every occasion. How well he performed the duties of a faithful, laborious Pastor, many of you can tell. You must long remember his affectionate assiduities, his kind admonitions and spiritual prayers. Long must you remember the parental tenderness with which he advised your youth, and inculcated the les

He possessed an uncommon talent in perceiving the utility of those studies connected with the mind, and in condensing them into such a compass as to make them clearly intelligible to every capacity. In this way we have heard him expound the leading principles of Logic and Moral Philosophy with a clearness and facility which could have been acquired only from long and diligent application. Indeed, there was scarcely any branch of knowledge to which he had not given his attention, and his capacious mind had grasped the more essential pre-requisites to the suc