Biography of Thomas Rand, Jr., St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Jim Conway


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THOMAS RAND, Jr.:
Early St. Landry Parish Baptist Minister
and Educator

[Editors note; In a previous article, Thomas Rand Institution which appeared
in La Voix des Prafrie, Vol.13, No.50, (July 1992), p.53, mention was made 
and a list of students attending the school in 1860, was presented. Since 
that article appeared we have received a Biographical sketch of the 
Reverend Thomas Rand, professor ot the school. The sketch was taken from 
Rev. W. E. Paxion, History of the Baptists of Louisiana trom the Earliest 
Times to the Present, C. R. Publishing Co., St. Louis, (1888). The sketch
written by Rev. F. Courtney, M.D. We thank Kathleen Stagg for the 
submission.]

Elder Thomas Rand, Jr.

"The subject of this sketch was born in West Springfield,
Mass., July 10th 1813. His father, Thomas Rand, Sr., was also
a Baptist preacher, and had an academy at West Springfield,
where many men afterwards distinguished received the
rudiments of learning. The son was brought up in a literary
atmosphere, and imbibed an ardent thirst for knowledge. He
improved the opportunities he enjoyed, and became a ripe
scholar. At an early age he became the subject of diving grace;
and in 1836 he was licensed to preach.

That he might the better qualify himself for the sacred calling
he entered Hamilton Theological Seminary, where he
graduated in 1838. Not long afterwards he came to Louisiana
and engaged in teaching, in St. Landry Parish. He was
ordained in 1841. He devoted his life to preaching and
teaching, and both by precept and example encouraged a
higher standard of ministerial attainments. The fact that the
Louisiana Association fostered ministerial education was
largely due to his influence.

He encouraged the Association to raise a library fund and
purchase books for the use of her ministers. A valuable library
was thus accumulated to which all her ministers had access
and by which they were greatly benefited. He was for some
time missionary of the Association, and enjoyed the confidence
of the Creole population among whom he labored; and was
instrumental in bringing many to the light of the Gospel. He
died at Lake Charles, in the Parish of Calcasieu, July 1 st,
1869."