Why Tarriest Thou?
At the close of the Triennial convention in May of 1814, Richard Furman on his way home to Charleston, S.C., stopped in the Nation’s Capitol. He happened to meet an acquaintance, Mr. James Monroe. Mr. Monroe said, “and you were the young preacher who fled for protection to the American camp, on account of the reward which Lord Cornwallis had offered for your head?” It seems that young Furman was not only a warm-hearted Baptist preacher, but an ardent advocate of the Revolutionary War. Everywhere, on stumps, and in barns, as well as in pulpits, he preached resistance to Britain. Colonel Monroe insisted that reverend Furman preach in the Hall of Congress. All the elite, including the President and Cabinet Ministers, would be present, for Colonel Monroe had circulated the early efforts and eloquence of the young preacher. Furman chose for his text, Acts 22:16, “And now, why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized.” He enjoyed great freedom as he spoke, and his voice rang out as in days of old. His earnestness caught the imagination of his audience and everything built as with a grand crescendo. Catching the spirit of the hour, he rose to the grand climax of his presentation. His clear stentorian voice rang out, “And now, why tarriest thou? Arise! And be baptized.” At the word “ARISE,” several of his august audience seemed electrified and rose from their seats, as if alarmed at their past sinful hesitation. This Mr. Monroe, Colonel Monroe, soon after became President James Monroe of the United States. Reverend Furman later contributed greatly to the constitutional change, which ended the established church (i.e. state/church) in South Carolina.
Dr. Dale R. Hart, adapted from: This Day in Baptist History III, (David L. Cummins) p.p. 270 – 272
In Spirit and In Truth The Word 