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Miller, Samuel (1), D.D., LL.D.

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Miller, Samuel (1), D.D., LL.D.

an eminent Presbyterian divine, whose name is cherished as that of one who materially assisted in laying the foundations of the Presbyterian Church in this country, was born October 31, 1769, at Dover, Delaware. He received his early literary training under the direction of his father, the Reverend John Miller, a native of Boston, who early settled as a Presbyterian pastor in Delaware. Samuel was educated at the University of Pennsylvania (class of 1789), and graduated with the highest honor in his class; commenced the study of theology under his father, and finished his theological course under the Reverend Dr. Nesbit, at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania; in 1791 was licensed to preach, and in 1793 was installed as colleague pastor with Drs. McKnight and Rodgers over the First Presbyterian Church in New York City, and, after the dissolution, was pastor of the Wall Street Church until 1813. He was instrumental in the establishment of Princeton Seminary, and subsequently was appointed to the chair of ecclesiastical history and Church government, which he held for more than thirty-six years. He died January 7, 1850. Dr. Miller was an extensive author, and published, Sermon on Psalms 2:11 (February 1799): — A Pastoral Discourse (1800): — A Brief Retrospect of the 18th Century (1803, 2 volumes, 8vo): — Letters on the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry (1807,12mo): — Discourse designed to Commemorate the Discovery of New York (1809): — Memoir of Rev. John Rogers, D.D. (1813, 8vo): — Letters on Unitarianism (1821, 8vo): — On the Eternal Sonship of Christ (1823): — Lectures at the Seminary (1827): — Letters on Clerical Manners and Habits (1827, 12mo): — Lectures at the Seminary (1830): — Essay on the Utility and Importance of Creeds and Confessions: — On the Office of Ruling Elder (1831, 12mo): — On Baptism: — Letters on the Observance of the Monthly Concert in Prayer: — Memoir of the Rev. Charles Nesbit, D.D. (1840): — The Primitive and Apostolical Order of the Church of Christ vindicated (1840, 12mo): — Letters from a Father to his Son in College (1843): — Thoughts on Public Prayer (1848): — On Christian Education of Children. Dr. Miller also contributed a Life of Jonathan Edwards to Sparks's "American Biography." Dr. Miller possessed admirable natural qualities that constituted the foundation of his eminently attractive character. His countenance, full of generosity and manliness, was indicative of great purity and nobility of character; his manners were uncommonly dignified and polished; his conversation brilliant and attractive. He was pre- eminently a man of system and method. His intellect was naturally clear, comprehensive, and symmetrical. As a minister, he was singularly adapted to profit theological students — his preaching clear, direct, and full of evangelical truth. As a professor, he was eminently qualified; his lectures were luminous exhibitions of his subject, full of welldigested thought, and arranged with graceful naturalness. As an author, he was at home in almost every field, whether literary or theological. His taste was beyond criticism, insomuch that, in reading his works, one rarely meets with an expression that admits of being essentially improved. His style is marked by an elegant simplicity-generally easy and flowing, but occasionally rising to the more artificial, condensed, and elevated strain. See Life of Samuel Miller, D.D., LL.D., by Samuel Miller (1869); The Biblical Rep. and Princeton Rev. January 1870, page 33; Amer. Presb. Rev. July 1869, page 619; Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1863, page 52; N. Amer. Rev. 28:505-531; Sketches of the Lit. of the United States; London Athen. 1835, page 716; Dr. J.W. Francis's Old New York (2d. ed. 1858), page 57; Life of Archibald Alexander, D.D., by his son, page 380.