| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 3 |
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In these records, written while others slept, it is noteworthy that he gave full credit to the delegates, speaking of them n the highest terms if he could, passing over their faults and failures without a word when this was possible, and making excuses for them when it was necessary to make some reference to their shortcomings. Perhaps the bitterest comment he permitted himself concerning a delegate was written after trying experiences with “a very bright and fascinating young man, who has occupied a full sized delegate’s place in bed and boarding houses, but who has not done very much of a delegate’s work… one of two young gentlemen, who look for all the world like a flower pot. He had a pretty face, a fine coat, a clean shirt, polished boots, smoothly combed hair, a bewitching smile, a graceful bow, a smooth tongue, a neat hand, a gentle voice, and was altogether decidedly Frenchy, artistic.” Then followed a sentence in which Mr. Miller, who was already showing the passion for service that later made him so remarkable, revealed his attitude to life, “But I always like the bee better than the butterfly.” This is the only reference in his notes to such a butterfly; there was too much to be said of the bees in his reports.
The monthly reports of the activities of his department were made up from the daily records. These reports are accurate and complete. A number of them are quoted in the records of the Christian Commission. The largest of those thus selected for preservation was written at the close of his first quarter’s service with the Army of the Shenandoah. Those who would read a vivid story of the work at the front of the heroes of the Commission should study this document as it is given in the full in the volume of annual reports of the organization. Generous portions are quoted here, not only because of the glimpses they give of Mr. Miller’s work in the last year of the war, but also because they clearly reveal so much of the ripening character of the thoughtful, diligent, humble writer.
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