William Webb Freeman -- A Tribute
Brother William Webb Freeman, elder in the Commerce, Texas, church of Christ, preacher of the gospel of Christ, educator in the higher fields of learning, and frequent contributor to The Gospel Guardian, is dead. He was called to rest, following a severe heart attack a few days earlier, on Tuesday evening, April 27, 1954 at 10:45. Brother Freeman had served the Commerce Church as elder and preacher for thirty years.
William Webb Freeman was born at Lafayette, Tennessee, September 20, 1887. He was the son of A. E. and Sarah Ellen Bray Freeman. In 1901, Brother Freeman moved with his parents to Lockney, Floyd County, Texas, where he attended Lockney Christian College. While a student there he was baptized by Brother G. H. P. Showalter, present editor and owner of the Firm Foundation. He began preaching at Mangum, Oklahoma, in 1910, and faithfully preached the gospel to the day of his death. Three hours prior to the heart attack that took him away he taught a class of about 100 at the meeting house in Commerce on the theme, "The Church Through the Ages." While attending Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, in 1918 he met and married Miss Ethel Mills of that city.
Few men have attained the scholastic standing of Brother W. W. Freeman. He was one of the best educated men in America. In addition to attending the schools above named he attended Abilene Christian College, Cordell Christian College, Potter Bible College, Columbia University, Yale University, Southern Methodist University, Chicago University, and the University of Texas, from which he earned three bachelor degrees, two masters degrees, and a doctorate.
He came to Commerce and to East Texas State Teachers College from Abilene Christian College where he had taught Bible and New Testament Greek in 1923. During his years here he taught in several departments but at the time of his death he was head of the audio-visual aids department.
Brother Freeman was ever ready to respond to the call of the Master. He often aided small congregations in their struggles to exist. His labors of love among such shall live long after him. His example as a Christian gentleman was of the best. His home life was ideal. We shall all miss his wise counsel and influence as an elder, a preacher, a father, a teacher, and as a citizen. Few men have been more abundant in labors. Although his life was one of much activity, Brother William Webb Freeman loved above all things else to preach and hear preached the unsearchable riches of Christ. To many of us who knew him well, it seems strange that one so well prepared in soul and intellect for the service of the Master should "so soon lay by the sickle while the great harvest fields of the world wait in vain for reapers." As we who were close by his side during his last hours watched the outer man perish inch by inch, yet at the same time we saw the inner man renewed hour by hour as the hour of departure drew near. Following our last prayer at his bed side, shortly before the end came, a smile swept his face and he whispered with us gently the last amen.
Many tributes by telegram, letter and telephone were paid to him. Brother G. H. P. Showalter wired, "His passing is a distinct personal loss to me and to the great loyal brotherhood of the churches of Christ. He was capable, talented, loyal and faithful in the service of the Master."
Brother Grover C. Brewer's message stated in part, "The academic world has lost one of its leading educators. The church has lost a faithful gospel preacher and we have all lost a true friend and a beloved brother in the Faith of the gospel. We believe that our loss is his gain and we shall see him again in the sweet bye and bye."
Brother Don H. Morris, president, Abilene Christian College said, "He was a Christian gentleman and I personally appreciated his friendship and the many ways in which he has helped in the building of Abilene Christian College."
Brother B. C. Goodpasture, editor of the Gospel Advocate, stated from the pulpit in Tyler, Texas, where he was engaged in a meeting when the news of Brother Freeman's passing reached him, "The church has lost a noble character, and I personally feel a distinct loss."
Judge Claude V. Hall, for many years a fellow faculty member, and a fellow elder in the Lord's church for many years wrote, "Professor Freeman was a profound scholar. His was the most highly cultivated intellect with which many of us ever came in contact. He was more than a man of learning and polish. He was broad-minded in the true sense. While he had positive convictions, yet he was ready to account for the views held by those who disagreed with him ... He made himself a part of the great world in which he had his being. In many divisions of scholarship his pen and voice were ever active.... While we miss him, and wish we could recall him from his heavenly abode, yet it is a wish that can never be requited. But we are consoled in the happy and cheering thought and assurance that he so lived that we know he has entered upon a life of eternal rest and peace which passeth all understanding. His life is spent, and his work is done. We still can glorify his memory and the work that he has done for his Master."
He is survived by his wife, a faithful Christian woman, one daughter and one son, a granddaughter, two sisters and two brothers.
Funeral services were conducted at the Commerce meeting house on Thursday, April 29, at 4:00 p.m. This writer delivered the funeral oration while other preachers of the gospel assisting with the services include, Brother V. E. Howard, Greenville, Texas; Brother Frank L. Cox, Ennis, Texas; Brother Elmer L'Roy, Lamar Avenue Church, Paris, Texas.
He Was My Teacher
Elmer L'Roy, Paris, Texas Reuel Lemmons said this morning, "A good man in history is like a diamond found among the pebbles on a rocky hillside."
I thought, "How true that is of Brother W. W. Freeman."
He was a good man, and only eternity will reveal the good that he did. We who remain may be able in some ways to measure the influence he left behind and know that the world is better because of his passing this way.
I first knew Brother Freeman when I enrolled as a student at East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce. He was Teacher; I was Student, but we were something else; we were brethren. I was glad to receive the words of a ripe scholar in the classroom. I sought his company at other times to participate in conversation with him.
At those times his talk was of the church and of the gospel. No man that I have known knew and appreciated more the appeal to return to the Bible for a complete restoration of the "Ancient Order" in religion.
Brother Freeman believed the Bible and relied on the New Testament as his sole rule for his faith and practice. He was quick to see the import of small things. From him, for instance, as a mere scrap from a conversation I learned to be careful lest in language I take to myself any "Priestly" function because I preach the gospel. But here is scrap conversation as I remember his words:
"I hear Christian men say as they baptize penitent believers, 'I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.' Why say, 'I baptize you,' as though I was conferring some grace on you by my act? A priest, because he claims power in Christ's stead, might say 'I' and imply that the act was of merit because it was done by a priest."
I could see the logic of his words and could see the picture of Romanist claims of priestly power. But I must baptize believers in Christ: "Dr. Freeman, what should I say?" I asked, for I had said, "I baptize you."
"Put it in the passive voice," he replied. "Say, 'you are being baptized in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.' You are then saying exactly what is being done; that you as a servant of Christ help the penitent believer do as the Lord directed that he might receive the blessing."
A little scrap of conversation, yes, but how many of us have been sensitive to the shades of meanings of the things we say? Too careful? Not at all when the concern is for a "thus saith the Lord."
I feel a great loss in the passing of Brother Freeman. His life and his presence in services when I preached (I know he came not to learn of me, but to support and encourage) have been a constant source of encouragement. Knowing him as I did gives me both reason and desire to think that all is well with him over yonder.