O God of Bethel, God of our fathers, be our God. Bless us, make Your face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, and give us Your peace. We would not dare go out into the great world this morning, if we did not have You to go with us. But You are everywhere. Where can we go from Your presence? Into whatever corner of the earth we might be cast — we will see You bending over us. Nothing can separate us from Your love! No power can snatch us out of Your hand! We will go out from the shelter of our happy home, into a world filled with dangers — but we do not fear, for we shall be with You wherever we may go.
We consecrate ourselves now to You. You have redeemed us, and we are Yours. We recognize Your claim, Your rightful ownership in us — and present ourselves to You as freewill offerings. Yet we know how hard it is to give ourselves to You, for our evil hearts keep drawing us away continually. Take us then, O God — for we cannot give ourselves to You. In temptation, may You shelter us, and let us not sink away into destruction. If we come under the power of evil — may You lead us safely through it. Save us from all that would dishonor You or hurt our own lives.
We ask for grace to make this a holy day. Help us to do our common tasks, in a way that will please You. Save us . . .
from indolence,
from covetousness,
from all neglect of duty,
from all evil tempers or feelings,
and from all resentments.
Help us to be patient toward all men, to be forbearing, kind, thoughtful, courteous, loving, and prayerful. Guard us, and bring us home at nightfall in peace. We ask all in the name of Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.
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THURSDAY EVENING
Night has drawn its veil over the world again, and we come to take refuge in You. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. We fear not the darkness, for You are in it. It is but Your garment enfolding You. You are as truly in the darkness, as in the light. May the wings of night be to us as Your wings — under whose shadow we shall find refuge, warmth, and blessing.
Some things have not gone well today. We have had our troubles. Our hearts have been hurt. You are the healer — will You heal us? Take the tangled threads out of our clumsy hands, disentangle them and weave them into a web of beauty! Take the dark things of the day's providences, the things that seem wrong, and by the power of Your grace, transmute them into blessing. Help us indeed to keep our hands off the strange, complex affairs of our lives — for we would only spoil the pattern which You are fashioning in us, if we attempted to adjust these complicated affairs. May You take entire charge of the myriad things of our lives that are beyond our managing, and bring good and only good out of them.
We ask for a more perfect faith, that we may never doubt Your love or Your goodness for a moment. Save us from all fear and from all unbelief. Help our half-beliefs, our little faiths. Help us to see the invisible things, and to rest upon them as upon an eternal rock!
Forgive the sins of this day. Accept our thanks for all Your goodness. Shelter us tonight, and bless us in our sleep, giving us renewal of strength. May we rise in the morning, if we are still in this world, ready for a new day of service. We ask all 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.