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J.R. Miller

J.R. Miller

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.

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J.R. Miller

December 15. The Descent from the Cross

"When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb" Matthew 27:59, 60 According to the Roman custom, the bodies of those who were crucified were left hanging until they were eaten by birds and wild beasts. This barbarous custom being revolting to t... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 16. The Sepulcher

"In the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher. There they laid Jesus." John 19:41, 42 As we stand by this garden-tomb, many thoughts are suggested. Christ touched life at every point. Beginning at infancy, He went through every phase — at last lying down ... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 17. Love and Sorrow

"Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid." Mark 15:47 It was a loving watch — but a hopeless one, which those devoted women kept. No stars shone through their cypress trees that afternoon. To their faith, their Christ was lost; because their faith had taken in only an earth... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 18. The First at the Sepulcher

"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb" Mark 16:1-2 Nothing shines more brightly in the story of our Lo... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 19. The Stone Rolled Away

"They asked each other, 'Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?' But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away!" Mark 16:3-4 We are all alike. Even these holy women on this most sacred errand, seemed to borrow trouble. There was a s... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 2. The King of the Jews

"Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS." Matthew 27:37 There was no other crime charged. He had done nothing amiss. Pilate had satisfied himself of that. He had examined Him, and could find no fault in Him — hence he would not write any charge... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 20. The Empty Tomb

"The angel said to the women: Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified." Matthew 28:5 It must have been a glad errand to the angels who were sent to minister at the grave of the Redeemer, to roll the stone away, to keep watch at the empty sepulcher, and to tell ... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 21. Go and Tell Peter

"Go your way, tell his disciples and Peter." Mark 16:7 Why "and Peter"? Why was Peter named — and none of the other disciples? Had Peter been the most loyal and faithful of all the Master's friends, that he deserved such a mark of distinction as this? Oh no! We remember how Peter had fallen. The las... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 22. Mary Magdalene

"At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus." John 20:14 The story of Mary Magdalene is one of very tender interest. Jesus had wrought for her a very wonderful deliverance, casting out the seven demons which possessed her. From that time, her d... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 23. Why are you crying?

"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 su... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 24. Rabboni!

"She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" John 20:16 Jesus had not forgotten Mary's name in His experience of death. It was the ancient heathen belief that death washed from the soul all memory of the earthly life — its loves, its sorrows, all its recollections. But here we see Jes... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 25. True Christmas Joy

"Jesus said to her, "Mary." John 20:16 On this Christmas day, we come to the hour of restored joy, which is even richer and deeper, because it is fuller than the joy of the Savior's birth. Christmas tells of the first coming of Christ to earth, with blessings for a lost world. But Jesus was lost to ... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 26. The Walk to Emmaus

"As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them" Luke 24:15 These two friends, as they walked along with heavy hearts, had only one theme: they were talking of their sore loss and of Him whom they had lost. They were so intensely absorbed ... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 27. Abide with Us

"They constrained him, saying, Abide with us." Luke 24:29 If the two disciples had not constrained Jesus to stay with them, He would have passed on, and they would have missed the blessed enjoyment of His company, and the disclosure of Himself which He made to them at the end. The lesson is for us. ... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 28. Prize Present Blessings

"Their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." Luke 24:31 All along the way, Jesus had walked with these disciples, pouring the warmth of His spirit upon them; but they did not recognize Him — until the moment of His vanishing out of their sight. It is the same with... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 29. Rejoice in the Lord

"Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." John 20:20 Christ's death had caused them great sorrow; to have Him back again from death — gave them unspeakable joy. Indeed there never would have been and Christian joy — if Jesus had not risen from the dead. It was necessary that He should ... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 3. Divine Forgiveness

"Father, forgive them — for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34 This was the first saying spoken by our Lord on His cross. It was uttered just when the soldiers were in the act of crucifying Him — driving the cruel nails through His hands and feet. It was a moment of excruciating, inconceivable ... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 30. Do You Truly Love Me?

Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 31. Follow Me

"When he had spoken this, he said unto him, Follow me!" John 21:19 We have come now to the last day of the year. For a whole year in these daily readings, we have been walking with Christ. Is there any better word with which to close this book and close the year than this last invitation of Jesus, "... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 4. Self-Sacrifice

"The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said: He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." Luke 23:35 It was because He would save others — that He could not save Himself. The soldier in the battle cannot save himself — and save his ... Read More

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