The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-10
II HCM<fN S.fCRIFECE.

Charles Freeman Stays His Daughter I,
Obedience to Divine Commnnd--She VIII
I u" Brought to Lifo or Taken to Heaven
| Tho people Of the village of Pocas
set, massachusetts, are in an intense
,, state Of excitement over q strange
murder committed in that place, the
bare facts Of which have already been
published. The particulars arc of Il
remarkable character, and arc here
given in full. Fireman, the murderer,
is about thirty-thrcc years Of age, and
was married in 1868. lie had thrtN
children, one of whom died in infancy,
another is seven, and the third, Edith,
who was killed, about fivo years of
age. At tho ago of twcnty-onc Free
man experienced religion, but says he
was beat out of 1t by backsliding
Christians. In February, 1878, hc was
converted to Advcnlism, and has bccn
II very earnest worker and speaker for
the cause since and recognized us Il
leader Of tho Second Advcntists in
Pocassct for ovcra year. Mr.and Mrs.
| Freeman have always lived happily
! together and tlo.izcd tho bright chill
drcn which had comtortcd them.
THE MURpERER's NARRATIVE.
On his way to ,inil he told the story
trust in his final justification TINT
know" he said, "that | had Il rcvcla-
,,l,. IL snl> tl,,,
Lord appeared to me and told ne to
kill one ofmy family aud offer it as
sacrifice. Well, lie did not say what
one, but on Thursday morning, on
awakening from n sound sleep, some
time about two o'clock, tho Lord APP
pcarcd to me and informed me that the
victim OF the sacrifice was my
pet, my idol, and my baby Edith. |
awokc my witr aud we talked tho
matter over and prayed to the Lord for
guidance and direction, that ii it was
Gnd's will that the cup might pass
from me. and ended by saying, Gods
will he done. The Lord said that it
was necessary, and SO arose, went
out of doors to my shop and got
sketch knife. then came in, and
placing the lamp on the chair near the
bed, drew the clothes. raised my
hand to strike the fatal blow, fully
convinced that the Lord would stay
my hand rs lie did with Abraham
when about to oilEr up his son Isaac;
but ne did not, and tho knife dcSccnd-
rd. My darling turucd rs the knife
struck her, and, lifting her hands and
opening her eyes, said oh. papa' my
oldest child awokr just as her little
sister was about to DC slain, and sent
her to her mothers room. l struck
the deadly blow as tcndcrly as could,
and the little one died W III the light OF
heaven on her face. l then took the
bleeding child in my arms and wcpt
, bitterly. lay down with it in bed.
1t seemed as il God had forsakcn me
| rs he did Jesus on tho Gross. l PRAYED
and wcpt bitterly, and in tho morning
felt gloriously. God rewarded my
soul with light, and went to the de-
pot Mt peace with my God and all the
world. l notified the selcctmcn aud
constablos to be- present ut the meeting
III tlio afternoon. but none came"
Ills RELIANCE ON GOD.
"Do you expect to hang for it ~
asked the correspondent.
"No, answered Freeman, "God
has commanded me to thus rndclv
awaken the world from its present con
ttition, and God will justify his servant.
II it had been my wife or the other
| child ! should have done the same. l
begged God to take my life; but that
was not to be. loved the child bet
tor than myself"
You don't feel uneasy at going to
jail?"
"No, not ut MI, why should II"
| lie said further that he was a second
Abraham, and the feeling gave 49,,
great delight. He loved his child
better than himself, and expected the
heavens to fall rather than that he
would be permitted to Kill his dear
one. lie related the circumstances
OF the horrible deed; substantially
! stated above, and Mrs. Freeman eaZctl
raptuouSly on her husband rs he re-
cited the terrible tale and corroborat-
cd his statements regarding her belief
in this gospel. AS he cxpoundcd his
views to the reporter he became very
enthusiastic, finally getting Oh his
knees on the scat and facing the back
of the car before many knew who he
was, and was soon addressing the
.s''A III litt CiC.
lie said in the course of his remarks.
''cithcr the child will be raised from
the dead in three days or she will be
translated bodily to hcaven.' In his
talk he exhibited great familiarity with
both the Old and the New Testament.
fREEMAN's ACT APPROVED BY Ills SECT.
One Of the strangcst features of the
terrible tragedy is the fact that the
members ofthc sect to which Freeman
belongs, tho Second Advcntists, who
were present ut the house by his invita-
tion, approve his act, ycgarding it as
the result of direct revelation. When
the meeting at Frccman's house on
Thursday afternoon was called 10
order Mr.. Freeman said he had very
lmpartant communication to impart
from the Most High. The usual plny-
ing. and singing were dispensed with,
d Mr.. Freeman proce, dcl with the
recital of his terrible crime, giving
every point with painful minutcncss,
The Advcntists then quietly dispersed,
and each kept locked in his own breast
Ia n II