| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 13 |
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During the first weeks when Dr. Miler was witnessing for his Master by his ability to keep serene in inactivity, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in session at Louisville, Kentucky, did him unusual honour. Immediately after the adoption by the Assembly of the Resolutions of the Report of the Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work, Rev. J.A. Worden, D.D., took the platform and said:
“The Rev. J.R. Miller, D.D., Editorial Superintendent of the Board, is critically ill. Side by side he and I have laboured for thirty two years. Now it is feared that Dr. Miller, whom so many thousands love for his own sake, is sick unto death. The hand that has written messages of Christ’s truth and love to millions in this and other lands seems forever to have dropped the pen. The feet that went about Philadelphia’s streets on errands of mercy, as those of few others have ever done, now appear to be finally paralyzed by unwearied going. The voice that for fifty years preached and taught Christ publicly and from house to house, is almost still, and the heart that only throbbed for love of God and man is slowly ceasing to beat.
“May I have the privilege of moving that this General Assembly do now join in prayer for our beloved Dr. Miller – minister, writer, editor, counselor, friend, – and that by a rising vote we send to Dr. Miller a message of prayer, sympathy and love?”
The resolution was adopted by a rising vote, and the Assembly was led in prayer. Later Rev. W.H. Roberts, D.D., the Stated Clerk, sent this message to Dr. Miller:
“It is my privilege to communicate to you the action of the General Assembly, expressing its sympathy with you in your serious illness. The fact of your illness was presented to the Assembly by the Rev. James A. Worden, D.D., Commissioner from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and immediately after the adoption of the Report of the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Publication and Sabbath School Work. After Dr. Worden’s appropriate and touching address, the Assembly was led in prayer, and in a most felicitous manner, by the Rev. M.A. Brownson, D.D., pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. It is proper to add that the Assembly, generally and individually, realized the great value of your services to the Church through many years, and cherished the hope that you would, in due time, be restored to that field of labour which you have made so fruitful for the glory of Christ and the welfare of souls.”
To this letter Dr. Miller sent the characteristic response:
“I am deeply grateful for the Assembly’s message. The kind words sent from all over the world tell me that the end of my work is at hand. I am ready.”
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