SAFE IN JESUS
 
Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”  

Many Southern ministers endured difficulties during the War but few had times of trial like those of Charles C. Bitting.  Bitting pastored the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia during the War Between the States.  When that city was taken by the Yankees, Bitting refused to take an oath of allegiance to the United States.  A squad of soldiers actually marched into his church; and while the deacons were pushed into one corner of the church, the soldiers arrested Bitting from behind the pulpit.

It was the first of two arrests.  The second was after a Sunday service when Bitting and his seven-year-old son were walking home.  Soldiers accosted them on the street.  This time, he was kept in prison for two months.

Years later, his son recounted the horror:  “The prisoners were divided into two parties and every other day were given a forced ride on the railroad in the direction of Orange with the hope that the presence of these well-known Southern sympathizers would prevent the destruction of the train.  My father was compelled to ride upon the cow-catcher of the locomotive.”

Although he still refused to take the oath, Bitting was released.  Yet he was constantly harassed.  Spies were ever present to listen to his sermons.  Threats were made against his life.  Despite all manner of persecution, he felt safe in Jesus.

Once he was told to take his family to the dock for deportation.  It was a ruse.  While they were away, the parsonage was robbed of “every piece of furniture.”

Pastor Bitting and his family lived in extreme poverty.  Breakfast was reduced to molasses and a crust of bread.  On one such occasion Bitting led in family devotions and prayed about their need.  Almost immediately, a couple came to be married and gave the minister a five-dollar gold piece.  Feeling safe in Jesus, he claimed it was an answer to prayer.