USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Womelsdorf > A history of Bethany Orphans' Home of the Reformed Church in the United States : located at Womelsdorf, Pa. > Part 8
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WILLIAM D. GROSS. DIED DECEMBER 7, 1884.
The Board of Managers of Bethany Orphans' Home with sincere sorrow hereby records the death of William D. Gross, during a period of twenty-five years one of its most active members.
As treasurer of the Home for an equal length of time., he performed a large amount of unremunerated labor,
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and performed it exceedingly well. He departed this life at his home in Philadelphia, on December 7, in the sixty-third year of his age. A man so humble and meek, so mild in his demeanor, charitable in his judg- ment of others, affable and gentle in spirit, clear and firm [in his convictions; so forbearing towards others, so severe in judging himself, was peculiarly fitted to have in charge the important trust which a grateful Church has committed to his hands. His faith was as simple and trustful, and his conscience as tender and pure as a child. Keenly sensitive to the semblance of wrong, he seemed to live and act as under the eye of God. Such a loving man, so full of pitying, helpful sympathy, for the needy. brought rare qualifications to the office of treasurer of the Home. He was one of its most persistent and most liberal supporters. Many of his gifts were given in secret. Repeatedly he advanced' various amounts of his own funds to relieve for a time, our depleted treasury. Whilst they are not recorded in our books, they are doubtless on record in the book of eternity. Through his kindly correspond- ence with the friends of the Home, he endeared him- self to many who had never seen him. He loved our institution, and enjoyed his visits there, more than those to any other place. Next to his own family, he tenderly loved the fatherless, and delighted to mingle with them.
We, who have so long been associated with him in our labor of love, now more than ever feel what he was to us and to others.
Resolved, That we gratefully acknowledge the good-
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ness of God in endowing our now departed brother with natural and spiritual gifts, above all with that constraining love of Christ which enabled him to per- form such valuable services to the Church he loved, and to leave to others the legacy of a well-spent life.
Resolved, That the death of two of the members of our Board within a period of less than a month, sol- emnly admonishes us to be active and faithful in our Christian calling during the short and uncertain life alloted us upon the earth.
Resolved, That our Christian condolence is hereby tendered to the family and friends of the deceased ; and further, that as far as possible we will attend his funeral in a body.
GEORGE GELBACH. DIED SEPTEMBER 30, 1886.
The Board of Managers of Bethany Orphans' Home is again called upon to record the death of one of its members. Mr. Geo. Gelbach departed this life on September 30, 1886, at the age of 76 years.
In years, as well as in office, he was the father of our Board. He became a member in 1865, at a time when the institution was in its infancy. During the various trials of its early history, as well as its subse- quent mission, he proved himself, by word and deed, one of its most helpful supporters. His calm dispo- sition, well-balanced judgment and ripe experience were of great value and weight in the deliberations of our body. With considerate charity he appreciated the conscientious views of those differing from him.
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He took an intelligent interest in the progress of Christ's kingdom, and rejoiced in the prosperity and success of every good cause. In this Board, as in other Boards of the Church, his death will be seriously felt for years to come. We sincerely mourn the loss of a cordial and helpful co-worker in the cause of the fatherless, no less than the loss of a personal friend and brother in Christ.
We thank God for his long and useful life, so abund- ant in good works, so faithful in kind deeds. His season of laborious serving has changed into the joys of harvest. He rests from his labors, and his works do follow him. At the end of a long and busy life, he closed his earthly career "in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season."
May the labors of his life be abundantly sanctified, not only to our own institution, in which he took such a zealous interest, but to every Christian enterprise for which he labored, and to every heart affected by his death.
This Board hereby tenders its Christian condolence to the family of our deceased brother, and prays that the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort may console them in their sore bereavement.
HENRY WIRT. DIED DECEMBER 9, 1890.
The Board of Managers of Bethany Orphans' Home, at Womelsdorf, Pa., has learned with sorrow of the death of Elder Henry Wirt, of Hanover, Pa. For a period of thirteen years he has been an active and helpful member of this Board. His loving and sym-
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pathetic heart responded promptly to the claims of the fatherless. His large experience in practical affairs and his ripe judgment were of great help to us in the management of the institution. And when, by reason of his growing infirmities, he could no longer meet with us in person, his contributions assured us of his helpful co-operation. Very pleasing was his parting blessing bestowed upon the Home and a be- quest of a thousand dollars towards its support.
Resolved, That this Board with grateful esteem cherish the memory of its late co-laborer, Henry Wirt, as a man of great purity of character, abundant in acts of well-doing and a true-hearted Christian brother.
Resolved, That we hereby tender our cordial condo- lence to his bereaved widow and relatives, and com- mend them to the God of all consolation and hope.
DR. JOSEPH COBLENTZ.
DIED AUGUST 3, 1899.
This Board with saddened hearts hereby records the death of Dr. Joseph Coblentz, one of its former members. He departed this life on August 3, 1899, aged 79 years, 6 months and 13 days. He was a mem- ber of this Board for some years.
In addition to his ordinary duties, he served as physician to the Home during a number of years without compensation. As an educated layman and physician of rare attainments, his services were of great value to the institution.
This Board bears its cordial testimony to the per- sonal worth of our former co-worker in the cause of
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the fatherless and shall cherish his memory with grateful appreciation and respect.
Resolved, That the sympathy of this Board be here- by tendered to his bereaved family and friends.
WILLIAM R. LAWFER. DIED SEPTEMBER 15, 1900.
The Board of Managers of Bethany Orphans' Home sincerely mourns the death of William R. Lawfer, of Allentown, Pa. For a period of seventeen years he was one of our most active members. Without stint, he gave us the benefit of his vast business experience and practical tact in the management of the institu- tion. His untiring energy and personal popularity mustered multitudes from the Lehigh Valley at our anniversaries and helped to make our annual festivals great gatherings of the hosts of the Lord.
We loved him and he loved us with the sincerity of a natural brother. His warm heart was larger than his private business, in a certain sense, larger even than his family. Upon hundreds of fatherless chil- dren he lavished the richness of his father-heart. They clamored for his little speeches at the services of the Board, abounding with pithy incidents, dipped out of wide experience. His inventive mind was ever upon the alert to devise for them new means of instruc- tion and pleasure. One of the busiest men in his own affairs, he always found time for his orphan home work. For years he loved to spend Ascension Day with a number of friends at the Home. At the last meeting, it was already noticed by these friends that his health had begun to fail. They little expected, however,
CROWD AROUND FRICK COTTAGE ANNIVERSARY DAY.
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that his own ascension was so near at hand. It is well-yet we miss our now sainted brother. To-day hundreds of our orphans at the Home and scattered over many states, in spirit, mourn with us at the bier of their loving friend, William R. Lawfer. May God sanctify to us and to the cause his life and his death. We praise God for the valuable service which our de- ceased brother gave to Bethany Orphans' Home for a period of seventeen years. We tenderly condole with his family on their sore bereavement and commend them to the Father of mercies and the God of all com- fort.
LOUIS KRAEMER. DIED DECEMBER 15, 1903.
Mr. Louis Kraemer, who departed this life on De- cember 15, 1903, was a member of the Board of Man- agers of Bethany Orphans' Home for a period of four- teen years. In recording his death, this Board wishes to place on record an expression of the high regard in which Mr. Kraemer was held by every member of this body.
A man of warm sympathies, decided convictions, liberal spirit and amiable disposition, he was by na- ture and by grace well qualified to render helpful service to the cause of caring for the poor and needy. He was always in attendance at the meetings of the Board when it was possible for him to be present. As a man of affairs, his judgment and counsel were of great value in the transaction of the business pertaining to the material management of the Home .; while his sympathetic nature always prompted him to use his
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influence in behalf of the appeals for help, being will- ing to err on the side of devising too liberally for the fatherless rather than that any needy one should suf- fer for want of help.
Not only did he promptly and liberally support any forward movement for the improvement of the Home, but he frequently spoke of enlarging along various lines in which he hoped to take an active part. To this end, also, in his will, he devised the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, to be used, in the judgment of the Board, in the enlargement and improvement of the gymnasium and the Boys' Industrial Department.
We shall hereafter miss him in our Board meetings, but will fondly cherish his memory as that of a con- genial friend, a helpful co-laborer, an earnest and faithful steward and a true man of God.
DR. JEROME Z. GERHARD. DIED NOVEMBER 20, 1906.
The vacancy in the Board of Managers, occasioned by the death of Mr. George Gelbach, was filled in con- nection with the regular meeting on January 6, 1887, by the unanimous election of Dr. Jerome Z. Gerhard, who served faithfully up to the time of his death, when the Board adopted the following minute:
"The Board of Managers of Bethany Orphans' Home, having heard, with painful surprise, of the un- expected death of their beloved associate, Dr. Jerome Z. Gerhard, hastens to extend its sincere sympathy to the bereaved family and to unite with the many friends of the departed in lamenting his early death.
BOYS AT WORK IN CARPENTER SHOP.
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"In our work for the Orphans' Home we shall keenly feel his loss. Being a man of wide and deep experience, a thoughtful observer and a wise and prudent coun- sellor, he was well fitted, by nature and training, to render valuable services in the management of a large institution. With rare devotion to duty, he conse- crated his talents and attainments unreservedly to the cause of humanity, and, though hard pressed by the exacting demands of a laborious profession, he 'yet found time to attend the meetings of the Board regu- larly and to perform faithfully all the duties assigned to him as a member.
"As was to be expected, Dr. Gerhard took special interest in safeguarding the sanitary condition of the Home and in promoting the health and comfort of the employes and the children. He was a zealous advo- cate of the improvement of the farmer's house, the re- fitting of the Home kitchen, the re-furnishing of the Home bedrooms and the enlargement of the Home dairy, orchards and gardens. He rejoiced greatly over the fine physical condition of the children and urged the importance of the care of the body as a good foundation for the development of the mind and the cultivation of the spirit.
"Dr. Gerhard's constant aim was the perfection of the Home in every respect, and in striving toward this, he thoroughly appreciated the difficulties to be over- come, generously sympathized with every earnest effort to make improvements and charitably bore with the shortcomings of the faithful; yet, with sweet reasonableness, he persisted in his unwavering purpose
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to secure for Bethany and its children all the benefits of an ideal home.
"While Dr. Gerhard's bodily presence has gone from us, the memory of his kindness, goodness and useful- ness will remain with us, and we will continue to cher- ish his ideals as a dominating feature of the vision of the greater and better Bethany that is yet to be.
"We present to the bereaved family of Dr. Gerhard a copy of this minute, that it may ever be to them an assurance of the love and esteem in which we held the departed, and, in doing so, we pray that the God of all comfort and consolation may fill their hearts with that peace which the world cannot give and cannot take away.
"We publish this minute in the church papers as a well-deserved tribute to the memory of a good man, who having borne the burden and heat of the day, was faithful unto death and has now entered into rest.
JACOB RADER.
DIED MARCH 3, 1907.
Elder Jacob Rader became a member of the Board of Managers on January 8, 1885. He was selected on the strength of his well-deserved reputation for busi- ness integrity and Christian character, which had made him a man of commanding influence throughout the eastern section of the state.
The event proved the wisdom of the choice; for although Elder Rader was at the head of a large and exacting business, he rarely missed a meeting of the Board, being present at all but sixteen of the ninety-
REV. THOS M. YUNDT
JAMES T.REBER
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five regular and special meetings held since the day of his election. This regular attendance may be taken as an indication of the measure of his devotion to the cause of the orphans.
Elder Rader was a useful member of the Board. He gave it the full benefit of his ripe business experi- ence and his thorough knowledge of mem and meas- ures. He was positive in his convictions, a staunch defender of the views which to him seemed right, a determined advocate of the measures which he thought would safeguard and promote the interests of the Home; yet with it all, genial and kindly considerate of the views and feelings of his associates in the Board.
Elder Rader was a watchful and effective advocate of the claims of the Home on the floor of Synod and Classis, as well as in his home congregation and Sunday-school. It seemed to be his delight to speak of the Home and for the Home, and, speaking from manifest convictions, he always spoke with telling effect. His deeds added emphasis to his words, and the remembrance of them will continue to inspire de- votion to the cause which he so dearly loved.
And now Elder Rader has entered into rest. We shall miss his patriarchal presence, his hearty greet- ing, his earnest counsel, his warm friendship, his loyal devotion. But we will cherish his memory and labor on in the conviction that in spirit he is still with us in the administration of the trust committed to our hands. May we, like he, be faithful until death shall set us free.
CHAPTER XX.
IN MEMORIAM: REV. THOMAS M. YUNDT.
R EV. THOMAS M. YUNDT, son of Thomas and
Eliza (Marks) Yundt, was born near Allentown, February 10, 1858. Next to the youngest of a family of nine children and motherless before five years old, he was, unconsciously, being prepared for the great work in the orphans' cause. He was baptized in in- fancy by the Rev. Joseph Dubbs, pastor of Zion's Reformed Church, Allentown, Pa., the church in which the General Synod met where the Mission Board was organized by which he was elected superintendent ; and was confirmed in Zion's church, by Rev. N. S. Strasburger, at the age of fifteen years.
His father was a farmer and young Thomas remained on the farm until he was eighteen years of age. He worked for a time in a machine shop. He taught public school for two terms. He received his prepara- tory training in the public schools, West Chester Nor- mal, Muhlenberg Academic Department and prepared for college privately under James L. Schadt, Esq., and the Rev. Dr. A. R. Horne, and entered Muhlenberg College in the fall of 1878, and was graduated in the class of 1882. He studied theology in the Yale Divin- ity School, New Haven, Conn., and was graduated in 1885, with the degree of B.D. During his seminary course, he worked in the summer vacations under the
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auspices of the American Home Missionary Society, at Centerville, Dak., and South Milwaukee, Wis. He was licensed to preach by the Lehigh Classis, in 1885. His examining committee consisted of Revs. G. S. Wagner, D.D., and N. C. Schaeffer, D.D. He was or- dained by Lebanon Classis in 1886. In the fall of 1885, he took charge of a mission church in Kansas City, Mo., and was there only a short time when an unexpected and unsolicited call was extended to him to become superintendent of Bethany Home, at Womelsdorf, Pa. He took charge of the Home as superintendent and Mrs. Yundt as matron in the spring of 1886. They closed their work at the Home on August 1, 1904. During this time, they had 473 children in charge, five new buildings were erected, sewers built, water works erected, lawns enlarged, additional land purchased and an endowment fund of $27,000 raised.
Mr. Yundt was pastor of the Alsace Reformed church during the winter of 1904-5. In June, 1905, he was elected to and accepted the office of Superin- tendent of Home Missions.
Rev. Mr. Yundt was a member of the National Con- ference of Charities and Correction. He wrote many articles for the papers, also a history of Bethany Home, and traveled, preached and lectured in behalf of the Home throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. He helped to organize and was a director in the Womelsdorf Union Bank.
He was married in 1885 to Minerva A. Koons, of
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Allentown, Pa. They had five children, four of whom are still living.
Funeral services were held at the late residence of the deceased, in Reading, on Tuesday afternoon. They were largely attended by friends in the city. Rev. W. F. More, of the Orphans' Home, conducted the services and delivered an address. Fifty children from the Home were present and sang the hymn, "Hear What the Voice from Heaven Proclaims." A quartette of the employees chanted several selections. Among the many floral tributes was a beautiful design of trailing arbutus, from the orphan children.
On Wednesday morning, April 24, a short service was held at the house, after which the body was taken to Allentown, where it lay in state in Zion church, from 12 to 1:30 o'clock, after which further funeral services were held, the edifice being crowded with relatives and friends of the departed. Rev. E. R. Eschbach, D.D., of Frederick, Md., President of the Board of Home Missions, preached the sermon. Rev. Dr. B. Baus- man, of Reading, and Rev. W. F. More, of Womelsdorf, delivered eulogies on the life of the departed. Rev. Paul Leinbach, of Easton, and Rev. H. M. J. Klein, pastor of the church, assisted in the services. Private interment was made in West End Cemetery, Allentown.
EXTRACTS FROM FUNERAL ADDRESSES. .
A BROTHER BELOVED. BY REV. B. BAUSMAN, D.D.
Such was Rev. Thomas M. Yundt to his numerous friends. A genial, loyal friend; a faithful servant of
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Christ, loving and beloved. It has pleased the Lord to call him to his reward. On Friday, April 19th, at 5 p. m., he fell asleep in Jesus. He fell at his post in the prime of life, less than fifty years of age. His comparatively brief, but beautiful, career, was abun- dant in good works. We loved him for what he was and for what he wrought. God be praised for giving him to us so long.
During more than eighteen years, he and his esti- mable wife bore on their hearts the nursing, fostering care of Bethany Orphans' Home. With hundreds of fatherless and motherless children, they lived and loved their beautiful lives; these mourn his departure with filial sorrow. Though dead, he yet speaketh.
"O, though oft depressed and lonely, All my fears are cast aside; If I but remember only Such as these have lived and died."
He will be greatly missed as Superintendent of Home Missions. In his larger sphere, he won the loving re- gard of many people all over the Church. With a tender heart, I lay this little chaplet on his coffin.
FROM THE ADDRESS OF REV. W. F. MORE.
"Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." John 13: 1.
These words were spoken by our precious Saviour when He was near the end of His earthly life. Every One who is familiar with the history of our Lord knows that He fully suited the sentiment and the action to the word. For even in His dying agonies He com-
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mended His weeping, heart-broken mother to the tender care of His beloved disciple. "Having loved his own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end."
What was absolutely true of our Lord Himself is also measurably true of His faithful followers, and we, therefore, take no unwarranted liberty when we apply these words to the life and death of our departed friend and brother, the Rev. Thomas M. Yundt. He also loved his own which are in the world, and he loved them unto the end. Yea, his love grew, in intensity, spirituality and preciousness as the light of eternity brought out more and more clearly the enduring values of life. At the time when wasting sickness tried the mettle of his soul, he bore most impressive witness of his love for his own. How well I recall my last con- versation with him, on Good Friday morning, in his room at the Sanitarium! Too weak to sit up, and speaking with considerable difficulty, but with much earnestness, he gave expression to many things which seemed to burden his mind and to be waiting for utter- ance before his little remaining strength would ebb away and the light of his mind would fail. In the very midst of his conversation, he chanced to look out of the only window in his little room and noticed my wife and daughters walking along the beautiful moun- tain side. Then, as though in his estimation far more important than the subject of our previous conversa- tion, with most impressive voice and gesture, he said, "Brother, do not neglect your own. You have the care of many orphan children. Care for them well
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but don't neglect your own. Give your children all the joy you can. Don't neglect your own, don't neglect your own." In that never-to-be-forgotten admonition, uttered with all the solemnity that at- taches to the waning hours of life, I see the most con- vincing proof that he cherished his own and that having loved them, he loved them unto the end.
It is, however, one of the distinguishing marks of a Christian that, while he loves his own, his affections go far beyond the narrow bounds of those of his own flesh. "Henceforth I know no man after the flesh," says the great apostle, and if the ordinary Christian fails to reach that exalted eminence, he must, in some measure at least, begin to know man "after the Spirit." This is pre-eminently true of those who, like Brother Yundt, come into most intimate spiritual relations with others in the conduct of an Orphans' Home. The orphan children become one's own in the Spirit. The Bethany children whom Brother Yundt fathered he also looked upon as his own. He loved them, and he loved them to the end.
Six weeks ago, on March 8th, he was with us for the last time, and he remained with us over night, partly, at least, in order that he might give the children a treat in the way of a magic lantern exhibition. He did this at much inconvenience to himself, for then already he was seriously ill, and much in need of the comforts of his own home. But it was his suggestion and strongly-expressed desire to do this for the children, and it was the last time that he could gratify his heart by giving them pleasure. I helped him to prepare the
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lantern and to select the slides for the occasion. This simple service was an epitome of his entire life. With a keen insight into child nature, he insisted on some "funny pictures" for the little folks, but still more strongly did he insist that most of the pictures should be instructive and inspiring. How wisely considerate he was! His love for the orphan children extended not only to his end, but it was much concerned also for their welfare unto their end. It is eminently fitting, therefore, that among the many beautiful floral tributes there should be one from the Bethany children. It is made of the wild flowers of the mountain, which the departed liked so well-a funeral pillow for the Bethany father-to typify the rest remaining for the weary child of God.
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