David Faure

David Pieter Faure was the founder of the Unitarian Church in South Africa, an interpreter and a Grand Master of the Freemasons in South Africa.

David Faure
Head of The Unitarian Church in South Africa
In office
1867–1896
Preceded byChurch was founded
Succeeded byBalmforth, R.
Grand Master of Lodge de Goede Hoop (South African Freemasons)
In office
1893–1897
Preceded byHofmeyr, J.H.
Succeeded byLewis, C.E.
Personal details
Born
David Pieter Faure

(1842-11-11)November 11, 1842
Stellenbosch, Cape Province , South Africa
DiedAugust 17, 1916(1916-08-17) (aged 73)
Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Spouse(s)Helena Johanna Augusta Munnik
Children6
Alma materLeiden University
Known forUnitarianism, Freemasonry and being an Interpreter

Roots

Faure was born in Stellenbosch, Cape Province, South Africa on 11 November 1842. He was the younger of two sons of Abraham Faure and Dorothea Susanna de Villiers. He married Helena Johanna Augusta Munnik on 17 March 1871. He died in Cape Town on 17 August 1916. He studied theology at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands up to 1866, when he graduated. [1]

Influences picked up in the Netherlands

The denomination under which he studied was Dutch Reformed. He had become aware of different ways of thinking (free thinking). This was expressed to him by Prof. J.H. Scholten. Upon his return to South Africa in 1866, the Dutch Reformed Church had a panel of theological experts that interviewed graduates before admitting them to the church (called Colloquium Doctum (Latin). Due to the liberal influence Faure was under in Holland, he was not admitted as pastor. The Colloquium Doctum was put in place, as two theological contemporaries of him, Burgers, T.F. from Hanover (1862) and Kotze, J.J. from Darling (1864) were suspended as they differed from the church-prescribed theory.[2][3]

Founding of the Unitarian Church

In 1867, Faure founded the Unitarian Church. It was first called the Free Protestant Church. He was pastor up to 1897, when Pastor Ramsden Balmforth from England, UK took over. In 1870 his church expanded to Graaff-Reinet.[2][4]

Faure’s belief regarding Charles Darwin’s Evolution Theory

On 30 July 1876 he had a “Discourse” about the Evolution Theory of Darwin. This was done in the church. He believed one could as a Christian accept Darwin’s evolutionary theory. It was printed in The Standard and Mail (a newspaper).[3]

Interpreter

The “Fiat Justitia” case 1880

David Faure was a circuit interpreter from 1872-1880. He was the interpreter in the Koegas murder case. Faure not being satisfied with the case wrote letters to the Argus newspaper. It was address to FJ Dormer the editor. He used a nom de plume - Fiat Justitia. It is Latin for: Let justice always be told. In his letters he said there were racism and deviance from common law. The newspaper published it. Dormer was charged with crimen injuria. The presiding judges were Stockenström, A. and de Villiers, H. These judges at the end judged that obstruction of justice did occur and that racism did took place in the court. Thomas Upington the Attorney General was declared incapable of being in such a public position. Judge De Villiers praised Faure but still deprived him of his post. The Argus employed him as an interpreter.[5]

The London Convention

When the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek delegation under the leadership of President Kruger travelled to London, UK Faure accompanied them as interpreter. The purpose of the visit was the signing of London Convention [1] This convention controlled the relations between the UK and the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek.

Freemason

He was the Grand Master of Lodge de Goede Hoop (South African Freemasons) from 1893 to 1897, when he took over from Jan Hofmeyer.[6][7]

Biography

His autobiography was written in 1907.[8]

References
  1. "Rev David Faure". faure.co.za. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  2. Oliver, G. "Unitarian history - South Africa". unitarian.co.za. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  3. Hale, Frederick (May 2014). "The evolution of South African Christian responses to Darwinism after the publication of The descent of man". Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae. 40 (1): 77–94. hdl:10500/13701.
  4. Heller-Wagner, Eric (1995). "Radical religion and civil society: The Unitarians of South Africa" (PDF). In De Gruchy, John W.; Martin, S. (eds.). Religion and the reconstruction of civil society. Pretoria: University of South Africa. pp. 125–151. hdl:10500/19562. ISBN 978-0-86981-943-2.
  5. Erasmus, H. J. (February 2013). "Circuit courts in the Cape Colony during the nineteenth century: hazards and achievements". Fundamina. 19 (2): 266–299.
  6. "Deputy Grand masters". freemasonrysd.co.za. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  7. Kleijn, Angie (27 October 2015). "Voortrekkers, generaals en presidente was vrymesselaars" [Voortrekkers, generals and presidents were Freemasons]. Bronberger (in Afrikaans).
  8. Carter, George E (2010). The Life of David Peter Faure, A Unitarian in South Africa. Edwin Mellen Press. ISBN 978-0-7734-1697-0. OCLC 818111858.
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