We have just received the sad news of the death of our dear friend and brother, the Rev. Azel Freeman, D.D., of Cumberland, Ohio. In the death of this good and noble man our Church has sustained no ordinary loss. Dr. Freeman has long been known among us as a man of great learning, deep piety, and sterling worth. He filled many positions of trust and honor in the schools and pulpits of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He began his career as a teacher, we believe, in old Cumberland College, at Princeton, Ky., where he became distinguished as a mathematician and linguist, an unusual combination of gifts. For a time he was a professor in Bethel College, in Tennessee, before its removal from McLemoresville. He was also at one time, just prior to the war, a professor at McGee College, in Missouri. During the war he was principal of De Laney Academy, at Newburg, Ind. It was while engaged in this work that he conceived the idea of founding a school of high grade in the North-west.

If we are not misinformed, he was the first to urge the establishment of such a school. In Indiana Synod he introduced resolutions looking to such an undertaking.

His pen and voice were busy in those dark days, cheering and urging on our scattered people in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. Few men did more than he in those trying times to strengthen and fortify the Church against despair. Around his leadership gathered scores of brave and noble men, and founded Lincoln University. He was made its first president, a position which he filled with great acceptability for four years. He was universally beloved and honored by students, professors, and patrons.

Holding certain theological views which were not indorsed [sic] by his Church, and particularly by some strong friends of the institution, he resigned the presidency rather than cause any division among the supporters of the university. In his position as president of Lincoln University, Dr. Freeman did the noblest work of his life. He loved the institution as a mother loves her own child. It was to his wise and generous planning that the institution owed most of its early popularity. Four fifths of all the books now in the college library were gathered while he was president.

Dr. Freeman was a great lover of books. He was, without doubt, one of the most widely-read men in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He read Latin with more ease than most men read English. He was a fine Greek scholar. For more than forty years the Greek Testament was his daily and hourly companion. He knew history, ancient and modern, as but few men know history. He was passionately fond of English poetry. There were very few poets from Chaucer to Tennyson with whose writings he was not intimately acquainted. In astronomy he was deeply learned. He used to take great delight in calculating eclipses of the sun and moon.

It was, however, as a theologian that our friend was most profoundly read. He was familiar with the writings of theologians in all ages of the Church of Christ. Bible commentaries, Church histories, and theological works were his greatest treasures. He was an ardent, patient, reverent, and devoted student of God's word. We have never known any man who had a more tender and childlike reverence for the Bible than he had.

It is not strange that such a man inspired young men with a love of truth and a lore of learning. The writer of this desires here to acknowledge his great indebtedness to this noble and good man. While Dr. Freeman was President of Lincoln University, the writer made his acquaintance. From that hour until the time of his death, Dr. Freeman was to him a source of strength, help, and inspiration. In all the joys and sorrows of many years their hearts were one.

Death can not rob one of such a friend. The grave can not hide him beyond the reach of love.

After leaving Lincoln, Dr. Freeman had a checkered but useful career. He was for a short time president of a State normal school in Nebraska. He was for a brief time pastor of the Church at Waynesburg, Pa., and for several years President of Greenville Female College, in Kentucky. His health, never strong, failed him while in Kentucky. He returned to his native hills in Pennsylvania, and traveled over the country on horseback selling books for the American Bible Society. He afterward became pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Old Concord, in Washington county, Pa., where he remained six years, laboring with great zeal and earnest love for his little Church. Less than a year ago he left the congregation at Old Concord, and took charge of the Church at Cumberland, Ohio. In all the places where he lived we venture to say that he won the confidence and love of all who knew him. He was modest, gentle, and true. He was a man of simple habits, lofty aspirations, noble impulses, and unblemished character. He had a childlike faith in God, and an unflinching loyalty to truth. He loved his friends sincerely, and bore wrong like a Christian. He was twice married. He was born May 11, 1818, and died December 3, 1886.

He loved his fellow-men, and was loved by them. He has carried our affections with him to the beautiful home of the soul. Heaven is richer and earth is poorer because of the death of this noble Christian scholar.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 9, 1886, page 4]

It should have been mentioned, that at some time previous to this [before 1850], Rev. Azel Freeman, of Newburgh, Indiana, was appointed to the Professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the college. He accepted the appointment, and continued with us to 1853. Mr. Freeman is a fine scholar and an excellent educator. His labors with us, and afterwards in connection with Dr. Baird, in the same institution, and still again at the head of Bethel College, and Lincoln University, will furnish material for one of the best [page 163] chapters in the history of our educational work. On the occasion of his resignation, the Board of Directory adopted the following preamble and resolutions:

"WHEREAS, Rev. Professor Azel Freeman has this day resigned his Professorship in Cumberland College; and, whereas, the Board feels the deepest regret that he considers it necessary to retire from the institution; therefore, on motion it was

Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be tendered to Prof. Freeman for his untiring devotion to the interests of our beloved institution, and for his fidelity in the discharge of the duties of his station;

Resolved, Further, that the Board feels under the strongest obligations to him for his Christian, moral, and literary influence upon the institution, during his professorship;

Resolved, Also, that the Secretary transmit a copy of the foregoing resolutions to Prof. Freeman.

RICHARD BEARD, Pres't.
W. H. MILLER, Sec'y, pro tem.
FEBRUARY 17, 1853.

The entrance upon the following collegiate year, in September of 1854, was said to be unusually auspicious. Everything seemed to be encouraging to the new administration. The number of students was large, and the faculty had been strengthened by the addition of two new Professors. In the course of the first session of the year, the subject of selling [page 168] the old building and the property connected with it, and erecting a new building more convenient to the town, was seriously considered. But from some cause difficulties arose, and on the 29th of January, 1855, Mr. Baird tendered his resignation of the Presidency. His resignation being accepted, Prof. Azel Freeman, who had been a second time placed in the chair of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the institution, was appointed President pro tem. Mr. Chesnut, who had occupied the chair of Ancient Languages, having resigned, as it appears, about the same time, Mr. Young, who had been placed in charge of the Department of Physical Science, was appointed, in addition, to the charge of the Department of Ancient Languages. Both these gentlemen accepted the new appointments.

Mr Freeman seems to have held his pro tempore appointment but a short time, since we find that at a meeting of the Board, May 3, 1855, "Rev. M. Bird was duly elected President of Cumberland College."

[Source: Beard, Richard. "Sources and Sketches of Cumberland Presbyterian History. No. V." The Theological Medium. A Cumberland Presbyterian Quarterly. April 1876, pages 129-172]

1851
Stated Clerk of Princeton Presbytery
[Source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 21]

1854
This is the first year presbyterial directories appear in the General Assembly Minutes.
Not listed in Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1855
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1856
A. Freeman, McLemoresville, Tenn.
Minister - Hopewell Presbytery - West Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1856, page 59]

1857
A. Freeman, McLemoresville, Tenn.
Minister - Hopewell Presbytery - West Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1857, page 68]

1858
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1859
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1860
Not in partial presbyterial directory in General Assembly Minutes.

1861
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1862
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1863
Azel Freeman
Minister - Indiana Presbytery - Indiana Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Alton, Illinois.
Served on Committee on Missions.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1863, pages 64 & 66]

1864
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1865
Azel Freeman, Newburgh, Ind.
Minister - Indiana Presbytery - Indiana Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Evansville, Indiana.
Served on Committee on Education.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1865, pages 164, 167 & 205]

1866
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1867
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes.

1868
A. Freeman, D. D., Lincoln, Illinois
Minister - Mackinaw Presbytery - Synod of Sangamon
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868, page 104]

1869
A. Freeman, D. D., Lincoln, Illinois
Minister - Mackinaw Presbytery - Synod of Sangamon
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, page 83]

1870
A. Freeman, D D, Lincoln, Illinois
Minister - Mackinaw Presbytery - Synod of Sangamon
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1870, page 78]

1871
Azel Freeman, DD, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, page 82]

1872
Freeman, A., D.D., Greenville, Ky.
Minister - Anderson Presbytery - Synod of Green River
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, page 121]

1873
Freeman, A., D.D., Greenville, Ky.
Minister - Anderson Presbytery - Synod of Green River
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, page 98]

1874
Freeman, A., D.D., Greenville, Ky.
Minister - Anderson Presbytery - Synod of Green River
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 97]

1875
Freeman, A., D.D., Peru, Neb.
Minister - Nebraska Presbytery - Synod of Missouri
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1875, page 81]

1876
Freeman, A., D.D., Jefferson, Pa.
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1876, page 93]

1877
Freeman, A., D.D., Jefferson, Pa.
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1877, page 89]

1878
Freeman, A., D.D., Jefferson, Pa.
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1878, page 97]

1879
Freeman, A., D.D., State Lick, Pa.
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1879, page 93]

1880
Freeman, A., D.D., State Lick, Pa.
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1880, page 129]

1881
Freeman, A., Old Concord, Pa.
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1881, page 92]

1882
Freeman, A., D.D., Old Concord, Pa.
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1882, page 122]

1883
Pennsylvania Presbytery used 1882 listing.

1884
Pennsylvania Presbytery used 1882 listing.
Commissioner to General Assembly in McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1884, page 6]

1885
Freeman, A., D.D., Old Concord, Pa.
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Pennsylvania Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, page 134]

1886
Muskingum Presbytery used 1881 listing.
Pennsylvania Presbytery used 1885 listing.

1887
Mortuary List
A. Freeman, D.D. - Muskingum Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1887, page 15]

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, June 7, 1877.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, September 28, 1878.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, March 19, 1879.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, March 26, 1879.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, August 25, 1879.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, December 1, 1879.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, March 18, 1880.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, June 22, 1880.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, October 26, 1880.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, November 20, 1880.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, December 27, 1880.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, December 27, 1881.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, April 11, 1882.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, July 13, 1882.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, October 27, 1882.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, July 18, 1883.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, December 19, 1884.

Azel Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, May 19, 1886.

Charles Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, May 31, 1886.

Guy Freeman, letter to William Prescott Freeman, August 19, 1898.

Lucinda Ann Dunham Freeman, letter to Guy Freeman, December 20 [no year]