Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-10-06
T1,e Late President BsftIe.


Z Editors Vindicator-I have just seen
a notice of the death of DR.. Bittle, OF
Roanoke College, and cannot resist the I'M
pulse of my heart to pay all humble tribute
to his memory.
DR.. Bittle may have been surpassed by
men in his Church in profound scholar
ship; there may have been Others with
more salient points of character, but L
doubt if the Lutheran Church in Virginia
possessed a man Of equal. parts for the high
position he occupied. In his Grafton on
Washington, MI Everett remarked, sit
has been said of Washington that he had
no salient points-neither has a circle, and
vet it is the most perfect OF all the geomet-
rical figures" So it may be said OF DR..
Bittle, he was a symmetrical man. The
writer of this knew him well, having often
been bis guest, and aided him in the reli-
gious services of the sanctuary. as well as
having been aided by him in sacramental
meetings. From a long residence in the
vicinity OF the College over which he pre-
sided, and having been called upon repeat
edly to act a: q committeeman IN the
award of medals in cases Of contest among
the students, q fair opportunity was afford
ed to learn the charac of the man.
Dr. Bittle WAS q good scholar. He added
yearly to the store Of his attainments, par
ticularly in the department Of metaphy-
sizes. The students who passed through his
course, always took a high stand at the
University Ct Virginia-under that prince
of metaphysicians, the late DE-. McGutfey.
Twice the writer of this, in connection
once with Rev. j. P. Smith, of Fredericks-
burp. and once with DR.. Dabney, Of the
Theological Seminary in Prince Edward,
had an opportunity to test the thorough
ness of his instructions, in most rlgld and
scauhing examination OF class, IN which
gold medal was the prize OF the success
full competitor.
DR.. Bittle was also an able preacher of
the Gospel. He held firmly the great doc
trinr Of Luther, the doctrine of salvation
by the imputed righteousness Of Jesus
Christ D0ctrt11U st0ntjs Uel cdGGltas eccle-
size" This doctrine he preached with
great clearness ard ability. Many in the
county of Augusta have listened with de
| light and profit to his discourses and lee
lures.
| Dr.. Bittle was a great educator. The
| College of Roanoke is the out growth of d
| plant that first gernanated in Augusta
| county He realized the need OF an insti
| tuition for the youth Of his denomination,
and especially for tie training Of its min
! istry. Salem was selected as the location
| of the College as soon as il gave promise OF
success. He was its chosen President.
| For it lie labored, and toled, and prayed,
! till his heart-strings broke in death. lie
was one of the most indefatigable men as
college President, the writer OF this ever
| knew. He would spare himself no labor
| nor care to increase the endowment of the
| institution, and to present it's claims on
! the patronage of the public. lie once said,
| some what jocularly, i'll the presence OF the
| audience at a meeting OF the Lutheran
| Synod at Tabor church, ''When [ die |
hope my funeral sermon will be preached
| from the text And it came to pass that
the beggar died. y abiding to his persis-
| tent efforts to raise funds for the College.
| AS college President, DR.. Bittle pos
/ sessed the art of governing, ard at the
! same time of winning the confidence OF the
governed. Rarely would any boy dare q
! conflict with his authority. Re was not
severe as o general rule, but he WAS wise,
and if severe, tenderiy severe. He was llb-
| erai and catholic III his split to other rell-
gious denominations. No influence was
| ever brought to bear of an illegitimate
| character, to proselyte the students Of
| different faith from his own. Ills first and
chief aim was to make. Christian gentle
men of all who came under his influence.
L
church a student, who made a profession
of religion during his College life, would
become q member.
The College was his pet. He gave it his
best thoughts, his laborS and his prayers.
He once told the writer that he had but
one wish. and that was that God would
spare his life ten years. For this, he said,
he prayed, in order that he might see the
Institution endowed so as to guarantee it
Il 4- fN,.I ,ai1
ties for poor young men III securing an ed
ucation. God in his all-Wise but mystic
rious providence, has not seen good to pro
long his days. And yet Dr.. Bittle will
live, live enshrined III the hearts Of his
pupils-liye to stimulate Others to love and
good works-live in the noble monument
he has erected to the cause of sound learn
ing and piety in Roanoke College. May his
inspiring mantle drop as that of Elijah did,
Or some one to take up his unfinished work,
and carry it forward to a successful COM
pletion.
III some way or other, Dr.. Bittle's name
ought to be connected with Roanoke Col
lege. d. b. r.
[From Rev. Dr.. Bittles last Report President Of
Roanoke Coege.l
We are making the religion of the Sa-
viour the prevailing element in the regu
latlOn OF the Studles ana dlSclplne OF the
Institution. The I g Mems Christian
Association is dOinga work in Roam
olze College. The Instiu..~ - ! is under re-
ligious influence; it breathes a religious
atmosphere. 1t is just such q College as
religious men should most heartily sustain,
for whose prosperity they should con5in-
ually pray and contribute of their means
as God has blessed them.
Our people are slew in realizing the
power of such an Institution in the Church.
They have never yet fully appreciated its
influence in the ertension Of The Church in
the Southern States. I fear that our min
listers do not discharge their duty in bring
ing the cause Of education prominently
before their congregations. We live in an
age of progress, and we must keep step
with this spirit of progress, or we lose our
position in the evangelization of the world.
D. T. BIrTLE.