Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-08-03
3Hliscellanfoulg.
Touching Narrative.

Some time siEce we gave an account of the
death of Ihrce young ladies' daughters OF Il cer-
gyuan in Kentucky, from burns caused by the
explosion of camphrne l:mp. Their father has
written tie following narrative or his bcrrHvr-
ment to the editor of the Nashville Advocate:
My DEAR BROTHER McFERRIN: | am in
deep afiiiction yes. almost overwhelmed with
the mighty Tide Of sad bereavement Oh. how
deeply painful to record The death OF my three
lovely daughters; but it must be done.
Anna Eliza, aged Is years, wanting only six
days.
Hester Jane, aged l6 years and one day.
Laura Washington, aged 9 years, months,
and days.
On Monday evening, May. 22d while my
daughters were around the supper table, the
servant Matilda washing the lea things, Hester,
assisted by Laura, filled the lamp; the fluid took
fire, the cali in her hand, and the lamp instantly
exploded. throwing the burning fluid upon all
present The servant girl ran TO barrel of
water, and soon extinguiShed the flames upon
herself The girls passed out at the front Of
the house. and ran to the store, Il distance of
sixty Yards They were so completely cnvelop-
ed in fumes, that they could not be seen, pre-
sening The appearance Of moving pillars Of fire,
lie flames rising and breaking off in curling and
brilliant sheets several feet above their heads.
The heat was 81 Intense, that the soldering in
I.aura's earrings melted, and they fell to- pieces
Their clothes were burned almost entirely of
them before the flames could be exinguished.
Myselfand wife were from home, OF my circuit
at y distance of twenty-five miles We got the
/ news about day!igh, the next morning, by nine
O'Clock we were ut home.
.l,.N<l l.,el e.
minutes before we arrived, OH that we could
seen her before she died. During her suffer-
incs she frequently said. I" | am afraid will
never see my dear pa and ma any more, and
when died | would 90 to the good place. D
NV dear child was in The constant habit of pray
ing before she retired TO rest. J. have often
heard her weeping when engaged in prayer
Sometimes after prayer she would come 10 me,
and put her arms around me, and seemed 10 feel
| the emotions Of Joy and love.
Hester Jane, my second daughter Joined the
church in 1850. She was attentive 10 the read
ing of the Holy Scriptures and other means of
grace She had been very serious, and was in
The habit of reading the Scriptures just before
going to bed, for mouths and we have no doubt
but she' WAS happily converted in the midst of
of the flames. Oh what miracle of grace and
| goodness As soon as she could converse, she
was perfectly calm. and said: Il have put my
trust in Sod" When asked if she was hadly
burned, she replied: I" | am suffering very much,
but am calm and resigned" After being ta-
ken to.the house. she was asked if she felt COIN
!. Portable she answered: am rot comfortable
but am happy" "Why, what makes you hap.
py, when suffering so much?' Her reply was
Because have made peace with God" She
continued in that heavenly state Of mind When
| approached her bedside, she looked up and
smiled, and said so sweetly: e" Dear pal" "How
do you feel my daughters" said |. a feel bet.
ter, now, pa, don't weep; am so happy"
When told her Laura was dead, she exclaim.
ed, "Oh sweet Laura!' said to her, "My
daughter, under this severe affliction, how do
you feel about getting wel?" She replied, g.
think had rather go now; the most of our
friends are gone, and the few that arc left will
soon follow" She rejoiced in prospect of death
+" Laura" said she, I" is with her ma now" moi
thinking her end was so nigh, | went to the
graveyard to select spot to bury my dead
Her ma, seeing her sinking very fast, said to her
Hester, what shall tell your pa for you il
you do not see him again." After moments
pause, with n ceunicnance brightly lighted up
with the glory of God, she said, "Give my love
to all my friends, especially to Mr., Gam es.
teemed relatively and tell him to take warning
from one much younger than he is. Tell him
and his aged father TO prepare for death fo'
nothing but whut now enjoy, can give then
happiness in this hour. Tell pa / die trusting
III the Lord; the Saviour is vih mel am hap
py and resigned. have been seeking religion
a good while; only regret that | did not seek
it more earnestly, that might have enjoyed il
before rs now do" To an intimate friend
she said Hannah, seek religion, for nothing