Wendt, Charles Henry Frederick “Freddie” – 1882-1883

WENDT

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:31

In Memorium – The messenger of death entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. August Wendt, late one afternoon, and selected the tenderest lamb of the fold, Baby Freddie, and bore him away in his bosom to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, across the river, to greener pastures and sunnier skies than this world ever knew.
Night soon drew her shadowy curtains over the earth, shutting out every ray of light, yet a deeper gloom o’er-shadowed the hearts of this household for the pet lamb was gone. But the morning light brought the comforting message: “He cannot return to you, but you can go to him.”
“There is no flock, however watched and tended, But one dead lamb is there.”
Little Freddie was born August 11, 1882 and died May 29, 1883. On the following Thursday a large number of sympathizing friends assembled in his home to pay their last tribute of love to this little one, who seemed even more beautiful in death than in life, dressed in his long white robe, the very one he wore, when his parents consecrated him to the Lord in baptism. He was sleeping his last sleep, in this tiny casket adorned with lovely flowers, as peacefully as if in his own cradle.
The services were conducted by Rev. J. H. Cutler, assisted by Rev. W. G. Thorn. The choir sang “He Leadeth Me,” and “When He Cometh to Make Up His Jewels.” Six little boys acted as pallbearers and immediately after them followed six little girls dressed in white with beautiful wreaths upon their brows.
After the body was lowered to its final resting place the boys each dropped a small bouquet and their wreaths into the open grave. Father, mother, you who mourn for your little one, look up! The chastening rod is in your heavenly Father’s hand, and he doeth all things well.
Source: Newton Journal; June 6, 1883, page 3, col. 8