"It was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour." Luke 23:44
It was a mysterious and supernatural darkness. We may say, and we can say no more — that it was nature sympathizing with the crucifixion of its Lord. How dense this darkness was, we cannot tell; but it must have filled the hearts of the multitude around the cross with awe.
There was also a still deeper darkness around the soul of Him who hung on that central cross. It was so dark, that He even seemed forsaken of God. We can never understand it, although we know that it was atoning for sin, which made the darkness. Jesus wrapped the glooms of death about Himself — that we might be clothed in garments of light! He died thus in darkness — that we might walk into the valley amid the splendors of heavenly light. He had agony in His last hour — that we might have joy. His head wore the crown of thorns, and had no place to rest in dying — that under our heads, might be the pillow of peace.
It is profitable for us to contrast the death of Christ — with that of His disciples in all ages since. He shrank from the "cup;" they are eager to drink it. He seemed forsaken of God; they look with ecstasy and unclouded vision into the Father's face! Why did death mean so much to Him, and why is it such a peaceful experience to them? It is easy to answer this question. Death has no bitterness for the Christian — just because it was so bitter to the Redeemer. He drew the curse from death — and now it has in it only the sweetness of blessing. Indeed, there is no death anymore for the Christian. Jesus abolished death. What we now call 'death' — is death no longer, since He passed through it. It is now only the shadow of death, and even the shadow is lighted up with the beams of Divine glory bursting from Heaven. Let us never forget that we have light in our dying — because Jesus had darkness!
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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.