| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 1 |
Page 4 |
He was also a man of prayer who knew how to point out to the family the way to the Throne of Grace, because he had found it himself and was traveling it daily. He knew the meaning of the exhortation, “Pray without ceasing.” One of the burdens of his private prayers was that his boys might become ministers of the gospel. It had been his wish to become a minister, but the way was closed – the claims of his dependent parents on his time could not be passed by. After the death of their first born, the husband and wife promised God that if a son was given them, he should be dedicated to the ministry.
In this godly home the Sabbath was sacredly set apart. Seldom, if ever, was the family pew empty, though the church was several miles distant, and the roads were frequently well nigh impassable. There were no evening services in the churches in those days, but the home became a little sanctuary. The devout father was the minister. Matthew Henry’s “Commentary” was taken from the shelf, and his exposition of the text of the evening was read aloud. Then came the reciting of the Shorter Catechism; as the children grew old enough they were required to learn this as rapidly as possible. Each took part in the recitation as far as the questions had been learned, and read the answers which had not yet been memorized. When all the children had completed the one hundred and seven answers, no catechism was ever seen at the Sabbath evening service. The father would propose the first question, which was answered by the one sitting nearest to him. This one would become questioner in turn, while the one answering the second question would propose the third in order, and so on to the end of the series. The method required the memorizing of both questions and answers, but those who mastered the book in this way had a working knowledge of theology that served them excellently in later life. Every member of the family felt as James did when he said in later years, “I owe to my father’s home the religious training which has meant so much to me in my life.”
The home in which religion was given such prominent and constant place was not the abode of gloom. The children were glad to spend the evening in the company of their parents. Music was their solace during many of these evenings. James frequently took part in this relaxation, either with his rich tenor voice or on the violin. Frequently there would be a guest in the family circle, for not many days passed without the coming of one or more visitors. Frequently on Sunday a minister who had come to assist the pastor at the communion service or on some other occasion would be entertained by Elder Miller. The conversation of these visitors did much to shape James’s purpose in life.
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