O God, as Enoch walked with You, we desire to walk with You this day. The world is full of danger, and we cannot get on safely without Your protection. The paths are tangled — and we could never find the way alone. We need Your companionship, to make the day one of blessing. So we ask that we may be permitted to walk with You. We will try to be faithful, not running ahead of You, nor falling behind — but keeping with You all the day. May You walk with us — and may You help us to walk with You.
We thank You for the rest of the past night. You have kept us. We lay down and slept — and You sustained us. You are our safe keeper. All our mercies come from You. Give us grateful hearts as we begin this new day. We want to please You in all things, not wandering from Your commandments. Help us, for while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak, and we cannot be faithful but as we get strength from You.
Bless all our household this morning, and give us each a personal blessing. We go out now to our different duties. It may be that we shall never all meet together again; may we therefore separate in love, so that if we never again all come together in this world, there may be in no heart any regrets because of unkindness at parting. Bless to us our morning meal, and give us wisdom for all the duties, tasks, responsibilities, and struggles of the day. May the influence of our lives be for the good, leaving on every one we touch a blessing. Make us strong for work. Deliver us from the arrow that flies by day, and the pestilence that walks in darkness. Keep us all day near Your own heart, and give us the grace, mercy, and peace we need. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
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SATURDAY EVENING
We thank you, O our Father, for the wonders of the universe which night reveals. We could not see the stars while it was day. They were hidden in the splendors of the light. But when the sun went down — all these glories came out. These all are Your works, O God. It comforts us to remember that our Father made all these marvelous things. Surely You are able to take care of us, Your redeemed little children.
We thank You, also, for the world of blessing which other nights reveal. You have a thousand comforts of Your love which we do not see, while the sun of prosperity shines. It is only when we have some trouble, that we begin to learn the meaning of Your promises. It is only when we lose human friends — that we find You as the Friend of friends. It is only when we lose earth's treasures — that we begin to know the value of the invisible treasures of Your grace. So we thank You for every loss of ours — which has revealed a gain and a blessing. We thank You for every bereavement — which has made You more to us. We thank You for the hard paths — which have made us trust more reposefully in You. We thank You for the hiding of day — which has brought out in our night the stars of hope. Help us always to believe that when You take away one blessing — that You give us another which is better.
We ask You now that You will make all this day's experiences work for our good. Bless us as a family, and give each one of us a personal blessing. Fold us in the arms of Your love, while we sleep, and let no evil befall us. Shelter all our loved ones, and hear their prayers. Bring us all home at last, through Your love, to the sinless world, with Yourself, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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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.