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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

April 27. True Righteousness

"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law — you will certainly not enter the kingdom of Heaven!" Matthew 5:20 In place of abolishing or destroying the law — Jesus put new meaning into it. As He expounded it, it went far more deeply int... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 28. Angry Without Cause

"But I tell you — that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of Hell!" Matthew 5:22 We ought to learn to read the commandments, with the light of our Lord's explanation upon them. So long as the sixth comma... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 29. Acceptable Worship

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you — leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift!" Matthew 5:23-24 There is something to do — before we kneel ... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 3. He Could Not be Hid

"The news spread quickly that He was in the house!" Mark 2:1 Whenever Jesus enters a home — it never can be kept quiet for long. He cannot be hidden. The neighbors will soon find out that He is there! The people cannot keep the secret. They will let it out in a great many ways. They will show it in ... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 30. True Charity

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing!" Matthew 6:3 There are some people who want every good thing they do, to be well advertised. If they give money to some good cause — they want to have it noticed in the papers. If they are kind to the poor... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 5. Bearing One Another's Burdens

"Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God's Word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat." Mark 2:2-3 That was a very touching sight, those four strong men carrying their helples... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 6. Faith Seen in Our Works

When He saw their faith." Luke 5:20 So far as we know, no one had spoken a word to Jesus about the sick man — but there really was no need for words. The pains at which the friends had been to get this poor sufferer into the presence of Christ, told of a very strong faith. The best evidence of faith... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 7. Strength Bestowed

"Jesus said to the paralytic: Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home! He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all." Mark 2:10-12 That was surely a very strange command to give to a paralyzed man. He could not get up. He could not take up his mat. He could not walk a step. He was... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 8. Blessed by Sickness

"Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there — had been an invalid for thirty-eight years!" John 5:3-5 That was a long time to be sick! It is very hard to be an invalid year after year! This day's lesson may come to some who have been th... Read More
J.R. Miller

April 9. Even So Send I You

"I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred." John 5:7 Are there not many unsaved people in every community who might also say, "I have no man to bring me to Christ"? There are many lost souls, for whom no one is caring. Christians must not forget that the unsaved can receive g... Read More
J.R. Miller

As I Have Loved You

Jesus called his commandment of love—a new commandment. Why new? There was an old commandment which ran, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Some people suppose that this is the same as the commandment Jesus gave to his disciples. But there are two differences. The old commandment refers to ... Read More
J.R. Miller

As unto the Lord

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Ephesians 5:22 A great deal is said in the Scriptures, about serving the Lord. But how are we to serve him? What kind of work comes under the head of service? There are wrong impressions regarding this. People suppose that they are... Read More
J.R. Miller

August 1. Crumbs from the Master's Table

"Even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table!" Matthew 15:27 Both the humility and the quick, eager faith of this woman — appear in this response. She was not offended by the language our Lord had used. She was willing to be as a dog under the Master's table. The children we... Read More
J.R. Miller

August 10. Self-Denial

"Then Jesus said to His disciples: If anyone would come after Me — he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me!" Matthew 16:24 There are few things at which people enact greater farces — than in their feeble and foolish efforts at self-denial. Very few seem to have the remotest concepti... Read More
J.R. Miller

August 11. No Cross, No Crown!

"Then Jesus said to His disciples: If anyone would come after Me — he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me!" Matthew 16:24 The cross is to be taken up — not simply borne when laid upon the shoulder. This implies willing, cheerful suffering for Christ. Some people endure trials — but... Read More
J.R. Miller

August 12. Lost — yet Found

"Whoever will save his life — shall lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake — shall find it." Matthew 16:25 It would appear that saving one's life would be — to avoid self-denial and sacrifice — and to live to gather as much as possible of the things that give earthly comfort, pleasure, ... Read More
J.R. Miller

August 13. An Unanswered Question

"What is a man profited — if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26 That is putting the case in its most favorable light! The whole world is the largest possible gain. But suppose a man does gain the whole world — it cannot ke... Read More
J.R. Miller

August 14. Christ's Special Friends

"Jesus took Peter, James, and John" Matthew 17:1 These three disciples belonged to the inner circle of our Lord's friends. There must have been something in them which peculiarly endeared them to Him. We know . . . that Peter was a leader among the apostles, and also a bold confessor; that John was ... Read More
J.R. Miller

August 15. Heavenly Messengers

"Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus." Matthew 17:3 These two heavenly messengers were conversing with Jesus; they were talking with Him about His death. Several thoughts are suggested by this. One is, that the death of Jesus was part of the divine plan. It was ... Read More
J.R. Miller

August 16. Duty After Privilege

"Peter said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." Matthew 17:4 We would know that it was Peter who said this — even if his name were not given; it is just like Peter. He wanted to hold the heavenly vi... Read More

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