Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-03-21
THE LATE DIR. ID. Ii. BITTLE.

Mrs. S. Z. Bittle, widow of the late
lamented and able minister of the Luz
theran Church, who died at Savannah,
Ga, and formerly pastor of the Luther
an Church of this town, in writing a
short biography of her husband, closes
as follows
Upon the close of the war ne return.
ed to Maryland, and he again engaged
to act for Roanoke College to solicit
donations. For two years he was so
employed, and then finding my health
so fral he resigned his position and
took charge at Shepherdstown, w. Va
His record there is before the church.
He labored with his own hands at the
church Once when rafter was to be
hauled up to very high and dangerous
point, the man employed refused to
stand upon a narrow and totteringplank
and pull at the rope, and sneeringly
said, you christians value your necks
and wish such an ungodly sinner as l
am to break mine" Instantly DR.. Hittle
sprang upon the ladder,went up quickly,
stood on the dangerous place, seized
the rope and said, Never say that
again. Hoist away" A gentleman
came hurriedly to me and said, "For
Gods sake don't let Dr. Bittle 60 on
that dangerous roof again" will
mention that the ungodly man, when
he saw Dr. ). up there at the rope,
rushed up the ladder and stood by him.
. Many instances could give, but space
forbids. Filled with zeal, full of faith,
looking to God for the increase, he
worked diligently in the charge. The
church knows the result. The parson-
age, the remodeled church, ana the
funds necessary to accomplishing works
were the results OF energy and MUCH
prayer.
DR.. Bittle had frequent calls to larger
/ churches and better salaries. He was
modest, humble christian. lie detested
wire pulling, and never sought the
first seais, never aspiring for Office in
Synod, and never pushing himself for
ward. lie preached Christ, and sought
to hold up the cross and hide himself!
Many precious souls were added as seals
Of his ministry, and when he at last de
cided to move to Savannah, the Synod.
the church, and the town protested, and
begged him with tears not 10 60. a
dear brother minister wrote, at is not
the will of God for you to go" But he
felt that somebody must go, and when l
said, Don't you fear the climate 2 he
replied, Il should if God was not at Sa-
yannah also as well as here He came
South, and God let him labor for a little
over two years. Not long ago he said
to me, sometimes | so long to go to
heaven, have such an intense desire
to be there, that | can hardly endure TO
remain on earth. said, ''Do you want
to leaye me ?" ooh, no; but do want
to see my Saviour =
Every time he prayed in the family at
the close he would say, "And now, 0
Lord, bless my young people" a few
weeks since, when speaking Of sensa-
tional sermons, he said, Il will not
preach anything but Christ, neUer, neUer
will | preach a sensational sermon
Nerer did he introduce politics into the
pulpit. The last Sabbath night he lived
we were going to the street car, and he
had a slight attack Of his heart disease.
] begged him to return and not attempt
to 90 to church Though painting for
breath, he said, "No, | must preach till
| die" lie preached with unusual So
lemnity, and at the close, leaning over
the pul pit, he said, "Now let me ask
you, what have you done for Christ ?
what are you doing for him ? what do
YOU intend to do 2 Returning home,
| in one of the squares he stopped and
said, Il have that dreadful pain again"
/ | cot him after a little 10 drug store
and he rallied enough to get home.
Tuesday night he was calmly sleeping,
when Death came on noiselcss wing
and struck the fatal blow
lie started up to hear;
The mortal arrow pierced his frame,
He fell, but felt no fear
Three hours of dreadful agony, and the
strong nan yielded. When told he
must die, he quietly said, at makes no
difference" Giving me long, agoniz-
ing glance of love, he tried to speak,
aud his lips formed the word. "Lord y
All yes, the Lord said, "Come up high
Ell, and he obeyed.
AT mdn light came the cry,
60 meet thy God prepare =
lie woke-and caught his Captains eye
Then strong in faith and prayer,
His spirit with bound
Left lis encumbering clay
His tent at sunrise on the ground
A darkened ruin lay."
He often said that he was ready 10 de-
Fart at any moment, fer said he, Il am
sinner, but Jesus is my Saviour"
Many were his acts of kindness and
words of gentle admonition to others
Emnently a man of prayer and Of faith,
prayer now is turned to praise, and
to;t h IN oloricuS sipht