Richard Furman
Story★★★★Richard Furman was the most prominent and influential Baptist of the South at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries. He was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Charleston, South Carolina, and served as the first President of the Triennial Convention, the first national body of Baptists in America. Furman was appreciated by American civil leaders for his outspoken support of the colonies’ cause in the Revolutionary War. The British military leader Cornwallis even commented that he “feared the prayers of that godly youth more than the armies of Sumter and Marion.”
During a trip to Washington, Furman was asked to preach before Congress. The President, Cabinet members, legislators, and foreign officials were in attendance because of Furman’s reputation for eloquence. Furman preached on the passage, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized.”
At the climax of the sermon he paused, stared at the audience of dignitaries, and repeated the words of his text. Some of the audience did not tarry but arose from their seats, ‘® If the gospel is worth telling, it is worth telling to the rich and the poor, the common folk and the dignitaries.
If it is worth following, it is worth following now. (Acts 22:16) (Evangelism, Procrastination) (CDW)
The point
Richard Furman, a prominent Baptist leader, was respected for his Revolutionary War support and eloquence in Congress; his gospel message transcended worldly status.