"He was not that Light — but was sent to bear witness to that Light." John 1:8
The mission of every Christian is likewise to bear witness to the Light. The Bible says that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord; but in our natural, unregenerate state — the candle is unlighted. It is capable of being lighted; but until the divine Spirit touches it with heavenly fire and sets it ablaze — it is dead and dark.
When the candle is lighted, however, it shines within us and makes us light. Thus it is, that we bear witness to the Light — it is Christ in us which shines! Our light is but a little of His light, breaking through our dull souls. Everyone that sees us — sees in us a few gleams of the true Light.
There is another way also in which we may bear witness to the Light. We cannot alone, light anyone to Heaven; we cannot save any perishing one, nor give life to any dead soul. But we can point lost and dying ones to Christ, who is the great and true Light; we can tell others, in their experiences of need and sorrow, of the fullness there is in Christ.
We should bear this witness to Christ in many ways. We can do it by our words, telling what He has done for us. There certainly is great honor for Christ, and also great blessing for others, in simple testimony for Christ. If a physician heals us, we speak his praise among all our friends. Why should we not thus bear witness to Christ?
We can bear witness, too, by our lives, showing in ourselves, what Christ can do for others who will come to Him. We should always be good witnesses, true representatives, never giving any wrong impression of our Master, either by word or by deed. It would be sad indeed, if anyone looking at us — should get a wrong thought about Christ. We need to be most careful that we never in any way misrepresent Him.
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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.