The Colorado statesman., 1916-08-05
OBITUARY..

(From Detroit Leader, July 2S)
Charles Smithea, Jr., born October
3rd, 1909, in Denver, Colorado, to Mrs.
Anna Newman Smithea and Mr.. Chas.
Smithea, fell asleep in Jesus, June
18th, 1916 at Herman Kiefer Hospital
after an illness of nine days.
But for our dear Lord Jesus and the
band of Angels, who lowered around
his little white bed, to accompany his
spirit home, our darling would have
been alone in those mis- last moments
on earth.
The mother, in another room, lay
stricken with the same dreadful dis
ease (diphtheria). The kind nurse
had bent over him but a few moments
before, and left him sleeping quiet
ly." Upon her return the little dar-
lings pure, spotless soul had Joined
the throng before the throne OF God,
his voice blending with theirs, while
they sang "Hosanna to Our King"
| baseFno doubt but that ere this
they have learned from him a ne'J
song, I'm Drinking F'roLa the Foun-
| tain That Never Shall Run Dry
The little fellow had attended
church with his parents but few
times, q think twice. when | first
| heard him singing the refrain of that
soul stirring melody "Beulah Land"
| as he played
| called him to me and asked him
| to sing for me, he threw back his lit
tie shoulders and head and with his
| beautiful eyes flashing with the spir-
1t of the song, he sang the chorus, all
he had then caught from the singing
of the great Congregation at the
Second Baptist Church, though for
| me. | was amazed
Charles was a most remarkable
child, honest, truthful, generous, un
| selfish, to a fault, and he loved, o,
how he loved his mother" ani
daddy"
He captured the hearts of all who
saw him, men, women and children,
all had a kind word, touch on the
head, for this beautiful boy, as they
passed him at play before our door.
|. He was a child in years and
statue, but he spoke and thought like
a man.
He was always careful of the feel
ings of others, always ready to make
excuses for other faults, always a lit
tie comforter.
If he could not think of the words
to express his sympathy for Mother
should she be suffering with a bad
headache, he would tip toe to her
bedside, pat her hand, lay his little
cheek against hers or touch her hair,
and tip toe out again to play. Again
and again he would slip in just to
look at her.
In the morning after one of her bal
headaches he would remain in his own
bed playing with some little thing he
had fallen to sleep with in his hands.
sometimes it was only a piece OF
string, until she called him; so great
and manlike was his consideration
for Mother"
Is it to be wondered at, that God
had need of him, in His Angelic
Choir-and took him back again?
For the Lord gave him,
"The Lord hath taken him away,
blessed be the name of the Lord -
Our house, our street appears to be
empty since he left us; but we be
lieve that he will be near his loved
ones, to guard and to comfort them
through the trials yet to come upon
them.
That all of us will he better men
and better women for having had him
come into our lives.
"Suffer little children to come unto
me and forbid them not, for such is
the Kingdom of Heaven" said our
Lord.
Those of us who knew and loved
Charles will pray daily to our Heaven
IL Father to help us to be grateful
that our darling was not allowed TO
linger for a long period upon bed OF
suffering, and, that we may learn
the lesson of love and fidelity so beau
tifully portrayed in his young life.
Yes,-and that we may soon, be
eble to say from our hearts, Thy
Will Be Done"
~ nT DODTED rOIE