Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-10-28
Communicated.
REV. Id. III. BTTTLE. I'D. ID.

II N n
"How are the mighty alien Z
This exclaimed the discon solats
David in his lamentation over the
death of Saul and Jonothan. The
distress of the mourner was deep,
and the fact that this exclamation
occurs three times in rapid success
sion is evidence of the very soul
anguish of the pious and tender
hearted David. And this anguish,
/ can imagine, was intensified
when his mind was fixed upon
Jonathan alone +; for, while hepays
"A glowing tribute 10 the proves
of Saul though his enemy, he gives
!, true and faithful expression to
his deep affection for Jonathan, his
good and heroic companion in
arms, when he,says 20, Jonathan
thou vast slain in thine high
places. / am distressed for thee,
my brother Jonathan very pleas
ant hast thou been unto me /; thy
love to me was wonderful, passing
The love of woman
A feeling akin to this in kind, if
not in degree, no doubt. pervaded
the heart of many one upon the
death OF DIR. Bittlo. When the in
telligence OF his death reached me,
| fell sad, truly sad because a
good man in Israel had fallen.
But he fell, not like Jonathan in
the field of battle and carnage, but
while battling, in full armor, for
the right, in the interests of edu-
cation, humanity, religion and the
church.
Though I was not as intimate
with DR.. Bittle as some others
whose position in the church has
thrown them more in his society,
and enabled them, by closer in
tercourse, to appreciate his true
worth in the church and in the
community in which he occupied
so important and useful position.
vet the esteem and affection which
have gone out to him from my
heart, since my first acquaintance
with him, two score years ago,
have never suffered the slightest
diminution.
When / left my cottage
home, a mere youth, to go to
Gettysburg, and enter upon a
course of studies, it was mid-Win-
ter. From beyond the Allegha-
MES, across mountain and valleys,
over snow-drifts aud through slush
walked the distance of 100 miles
until / reached my destination.
Weary, strange, anxious and
timid upon my arrival, what more
welcome than true friend to con-
sole, encourage and adviser I
found friends, but none as SYM
pathetic, generous anu true as DR..
Bittle, then Tutor in the Prepare
tory Department, and my first
teacher in the Institution. In en-
tering the arena of College life
how needful is such friend to the
young and inexperienced student;
and never can / forget the friend
ly sympathy, the fatherly advise,
ard the brotherly affection of DR..
Bittle as exhibited in his words of
pious cheer to the lonely student,
drawn from his own feelings.
The light of his influence then
shed upon the starting point of
my college course, has cast its rays
onward through my lifes' path
with unfading lustre. And hav-
ing been for years engaged in a
similar calling, though not so
prominent position, l have en-
deavored humbly to imi-
tate this excellent Preceptor
in my conduct towards, and
intercourse with, those under my
instruction. My field oflabor hav-
ing always been remote from his,
there could not be much inter-
course between us, and my appre-
citation of character, in the living,
being rather silent than ostenta-
tious, he was perhaps scarcely
aware Of the depth of my regard
and esteem; and, living, he might,
perhaps, in his humility, not rel
ish even this expressed tribute. L
feel, however, that this much is
due to his memory from an hum
ble co-laborer in the cause of edu-
cation and religion. w. G..
Rann I'm "a Mans Heart.