"Why are you crying?" John 20:15
There really was no cause for tears; for Jesus, whom she mourned as dead — was living. Does not Jesus ask the same question now of many a mourner, "Why are you crying?" We cannot restrain our tears when a dear friend is taken from us; and there is nothing wrong in such tears. Jesus Himself wept beside the grave of His friend whom He was about to raise to life.
But with too many, the grief at loss of dear ones — is unsubmissive, unbelieving, even rebellious. When a Christian dies — he but departs to be with his Lord; can we therefore weep for him? Surely not; death to him is glorious gain. Shall we weep because he is with Christ, in eternal blessedness; because he is past all pain and trial; because he has been exalted to a place in the King's palace? Shall we blame God, and weep bitter, rebellious tears — because He has taken one of His own children away from us? Does God make mistakes? Are we not sure of His love? Was it in anger, that He came and caused us such grief? May we not be sure that the sorrow which came with such heavy fall, was really God's best kindness for us, as well as for the beloved one He took to Himself? Is it not sin, then — for us to weep without any sweet submission and loving acquiescence?
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.