| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 2 |
Page 4 |
Equally strong and hearty was the testimony of General Meade on the same occasion:
“One of the brightest pages in history of the Great War from which we have just emerged will be the record of the noble spirit displayed by our people, in their devotion to the wants and comforts of our soldiers. No one not in the field and witnessing the scenes of distress there exhibited, can fully appreciate the services thus rendered to humanity. The United States Christian Commission was conspicuous in the great work of love and charity, and I am sure that the survivors of the war will, like myself, ever have in grateful memory the debt of gratitude so greatly due to it.”
It was in March, 1863, when Mr. Miller – then a middler at Allegheny Seminary – began his service as delegate. He promised to serve for six weeks. But his work was so well done that at the expiration of this period he was urged to remain for the summer campaign. A good situation was waiting for him at home, but he determined to give this up and stay where he felt he was needed more. He was, therefore, therefore, assigned to the Army of the Potomac. As Assistant Field Agent, it fell to him, together with two others, to direct the extensive operations of the Commission at Gettysburg after the notable battle fought in July of that year. The Annals of the Commission contain this reference to the service there rendered:
“Every station occupied by the Commission on this field of blood is worthy of a special record. Suffice it to say that at every point of this field, as at others of like character, the effort to relieve temporal wants was blended with Christian counsel and consolation, and as ever before, so here, the Holy Spirit attended such ministrations with the divine blessing.”
Page 4