| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 4 |
Page 10 |
On July 12 Mr. Miller left Atlantic City for Washington. There he made out his final reports. Then he left for his home in Ohio, where he arrived – after making a number of visits on the way – on August 1.
At once he was besieged by requests to do work that would turn him aside from the ministry for an indefinite period. The American Union Commission, The American Railway Library Union, and the United Presbyterian Freedmen’s Mission clamoured for his services. But he decided not to make his decision till he had taken time for study. In the meantime he prepared for his long delayed licensure. He did not like to think of turning aside from the ministry, yet he trembled as he thought of the responsibility of standing in the pulpit:
“How shall I dare to open my lips or speak forth my words? A mistake here is a mistake fatal, eternally. As I think of these things my poor weak heart cries out, ‘Oh, my God, who is sufficient for these things?’ …I hear a voice that answers, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee, and I will perfect strength in weakness.’”
The closing weeks of the summer were spent in the composition of sermons. For these the young student had received far better preparation in ministering to the needs of others than he could have received in the classroom alone.
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