Miller Morning Thoughts Devotional

Biography of JR Miller

James Russell Miller (20 March 1840 – 2 July 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.

The Christian Commission

The Christian Commission was created in response to the disastrous First Battle of Bull Run. On 14 November 1861, the National Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) called a convention which met in New York City. The work of the United States Christian Commission was outlined and the organization completed the next day.

In March 1863, Miller promised to serve for six weeks as a delegate of the United States Christian Commission, but at the end of this time he was persuaded to become an Assistant Field Agent and later he was promoted to General Field Agent. He left the Commission on 15 July 1865.

Further Studies and the Pastorate

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 11 September 1867. Miller pastored various Presbyterian churches until his death. See Wikipedia.org for a Complete Biography of John Miller

Books by John Miller

During the time that John Miller was on the Presbyterian Board, he added several dozen periodicals to their offerings. Miller's lasting fame is through his books. Many are still in publication.

• Family Prayers for Thirteen Weeks
• Bible Readings from the Life of Christ
• Christlike Living in a Sinful World
• Living without Worry
• Week Day Religion, 1880
• Home Making, 1882 (currently published by The Vision Forum as The Family) theWord
• In His Steps: For Those Beginning the Christian Life, 1885 theWord
• The Wedded Life, 1886
• Silent Times, 1886
• Come Ye Apart, 1887
• The Marriage Altar, 1888
• Practical Religion, 1888
• Bits of Pasture, 1890
• Making the Most of Life, 1891
• The Everyday of Life, 1892
• Girls: Faults and Ideals, 1892
• Young Men: Faults and Ideals, 1893
• Glimpses Through Life's Windows, 1893
• The Building of Character, 1894
• Secrets of Happy Home Life, 1894
• Life’s Byways and Waysides, 1895
• For a Busy Day, 1895
• Year Book, 1895
• Family Prayers, 1895
• The Hidden Life, 1895
• The Blessing of Cheerfulness, 1896
• Things to Live For, 1896
• Story of A Busy Life, 1896
• A Gentle Heart, 1896
• Personal Friendships of Jesus, 1897
• By the Still Waters, 1897
• The Secret of Gladness, 1898
• The Joy of Service, 1898
• The Master’s Blessed, 1898
• That will Do 1898
• Young People’s Problems, 1898 theWord
• Unto the Hill, 1899
• Strength and Beauty, 1899
• The Golden Gate of Prayer, 1900
• Loving My Neighbour, 1900
• The Ministry of Comfort, 1901
• Summer Gathering, 1901
• How? When? Where?, 1901
• The Upper Currents, 1902
• Today and Tomorrow, 1902
• In Perfect Peace, 1902
• The Lesson of Love, 1903
• The Face of the Master, 1903
• Our New Eden, 1904
• Finding the Way, 1904
• The Inner Life, 1904
• Manual for Communicant Classes, 1905
• The Beauty of Kindness, 1905
• When the Song Begins, 1905
• The Best Things, 1907 theWord
• Glimpses of the Heavenly Life, 1907
• Morning Thoughts for Every Day in The Year, 1907
• Evening Thoughts, 1908
• The Gate Beautiful, 1909
• The Master's Friendships, 1909
• The Beauty of Every Day, 1910
• The Beauty of Self Control, 1911
• Learning to Love, 1911
• The Book of Comfort, 1912
• The Joy of The Lord, 1912
• Devotional Hours with the Bible (eight volumes), 1909-1913

Works by John Miller