STRANGE CASE OF RELIGIOUS MONOMANIA.
A craioi)'' case of suicide from religious monomania has been investigated by a London coroners' jury. The deceased was named Sarah Harriet Golding, and was only 20 years of age. Her body was found in the moat at Fir.chley. At the inquest, Albert Golding, of 10, Bphinstoue-stroet, Highbury, deposed that the deceased was his sister. Latterly she had been in a very low, desponding state, owing, he believed, to her connection with a religious sect called
''Bibic Christians. 1 ' She once went out with the intention of drowning herself, owing to the belief that she had not been as religiously good as she might have been. Deceased had been in employment with Mr. Maxted at .Bromley. Deceased had lived with witness for some time atHighburj-, and during that time she spent nearly her whole leisure iu the room in Hollo way Road and also spent her whole money. Mr. A. Muxted of 2, Tweedie Road. Brornley, Kent, deposed that the deceased had been in a verv listless and despondent state from November last.She left at five on Wednesday afternoon, and left a letter saying that she was driven to commit suicide. The following letter was produced in the handwriting of the deceased : "Please do not mourn for me. I have
been most unhappy. I think that my failing strength has driven me to this. My dyim: love to all. It is not death to die to leave this weary road, amidst the brotherhood on high to live at home with God. I have died without a stain on my moral character, but mv spiritual one has not been as perfect as it might havo been. I wish you all a long and affectionate farewell. I ask my dear brohter Albert to kbs my dear mother fer me. I have no doubt I shall be thought crnel, but all of you think it lor the best. Good-bye;, and many thanks for your very great kindness to me. Albert, my dear brother, will you trust iu Jesus ?" A verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind w*as recorded at the inquest.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6488, 2 September 1882, Page 7
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353STRANGE CASE OF RELIGIOUS MONOMANIA. New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6488, 2 September 1882, Page 7
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