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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 5. At Home with the Lord

"Today shall you be with Me in paradise!" Luke 23:43 This was the second saying of the Savior on the cross. Something touched the heart of one of the robbers — may it not have been the Savior's prayer for His murderers? He became penitent in his dying hour, and cried to Jesus for mercy: "Lord, remem... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 6. The Divine Legacy

"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." John 19:26-27 This was the third saying of the Savior on the ... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 7. The Dark Valley

"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 tel... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 8. Christ's Cry on the Cross

"My God, my God — why have You forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46 This was the fourth saying of the Savior on the cross. It is too mysterious for explanation, and we may only ponder it with hushed hearts for a little. "My God, my God — why have You forsaken Me?" It was not the nails in His flesh, nor the i... Read More
J.R. Miller

December 9. Divine Thirst

"Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said: I thirst!" John 19:28 Here we have the fifth saying of the Savior on the cross. It was just before the end. All things belonging to His work as Redeemer were now finished. He had suffered from thirs... Read More
J.R. Miller

Doing, and Not Doubting

Some good people talk altogether too much in a doleful strain. Indeed any doleful talk in a Christian is too much. We have no right to go about airing our fears and doubts. In the first place, we need not have fears and doubts, if we have truly committed our life to Christ. Surely we are safe in his... Read More
J.R. Miller

FAITHFULNESS

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!" Matthew 25:21 No higher praise can be given to any life--than to say it has been faithful. No one could ask for a nobler epitaph than the... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 1. Homage

"When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea ... Magi (wise men) from the east came to Jerusalem, and asked — Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2 That was the most wonderful birth that ever occurred in this world... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 10. The Coming of the Lord

"Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." Matthew 3:3 The Lord is always coming to us, or is always ready to come to us — if the way is open for him. Yet no doubt we are continually losing heavenly visitations, because the road is blocked up. If we would receive the visitations, w... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 11. The Wrath to Come

"John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him — You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" Luke 3:7 There are a good many people who want to flee from God's wrath — but are not willing to give up that which draws God's wrath down upon them. When a godless man bec... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 12. Evidence of Repentance

"Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance." Matthew 3:8 There is only one way to prove that we have truly repented. It will not be enough to tell people that we have repented; they will wait to see the evidence in our lives. Suppose a wicked man joins the Church and then goes back on Monda... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 13. The Divine Patience

"The ax already lies at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire!" Matthew 3:10 The picture is very suggestive. The axe at the tree's root, or raised in the woodman's hand to strike, shows that judgment impends, hangs ready to f... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 14. Our Every-Day Life

The people asked, "What should we do?" John replied, "If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry." Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, "Teacher, what should we do?" "Show your honesty," he replied. "Make sure you collect n... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 15. Self-Renunciation

"John answered them all: I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire!" Luke 3:16 There is something very fine in John's behavior on this occasion. The people were expect... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 16. Baptism

"I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire!" Luke 3:16 Baptism with water is right. It is one of God's appointments, and He would require nothing that is useless. Some... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 17. Wheat or Chaff?

"His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn — but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!" Luke 3:17 The illustration which the preacher of the desert here uses is very striking. The wheat-sheaves were gathered on the threshing-floo... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 18. The Divine Patience

"Even now the axe of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire!" Matthew 3:10 The picture is very suggestive. The axe lying at the tree's root, or raised in the woodman's hand to strike, shows t... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 19. The Baptism of Jesus

"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." Mark 1:9 One meaning of Christ's baptism was that it was His consecration to His public ministry. For thirty years He had dwelt in the quiet home at Nazareth, doing no miracle, wearing no halo, manifesting no ... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 2. The King of Kings

"Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:2 Surely it was strange, that the Jews did not know of the birth of their own King. Usually when kings are born, the whole realm rings with joy. But when the Messiah was born, t... Read More
J.R. Miller

February 20. The Shadow of the Cross

"Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Matthew 3:15 One meaning of Christ's words here is that, as man in the place of sinful men, He must take upon Him all the conditions of humanity. He had no sins of His own to confess — and yet He came to John as other m... Read More

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