1769-1850
Books (22)
A Brief History of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church at Princeton, New Jersey, Together with its Constitution, By-Laws, etc., 1838, 62 pages in all. The Brief History is the first seven pages followed by the organizing Plan of the Theological Seminary for 37 pages.
Here is the first history of Princeton Seminary, written by its second professor who oversaw its inception. Includes the organizing Plan for the seminary, an important historical document which articulates Princeton’s original vision, parameters and by-laws. Read the section on the personal piety of the students, starting on p. 19.
A brief retrospect of the eighteenth century. Containing a sketch of the revolutions and improvements in science, arts, and literature during that period, vol. 1, vol. 2, 1805, 462 & 440 pages, here is another volume 2 with different contents, 1803, 536 pages
Being a review of the great progress and advances made in the natural sciences and arts during the 1700’s.
Doctrinal Integrity, Buy including The Utility and Importance of Creeds and Confessions, 1839, 138 pages, and Adherence to our Doctrinal Standards, 1833, in three letters, with a Preface by Kevin Reed, 1989
The classic piece showing the Biblical warrant and necessity for creeds in the church, and the great importance of officers upholding them with their vows.
Infant Baptism Scriptural and Reasonable, and Baptism by Sprinkling, part 1, part 2, part 3 & 4, HTML Buy 1835, 163 pages
Why read modern treatments of infant baptism when you can read better older works? Here it is.
Jonathan Edwards, no date, 251 pages, written for the American Biography series
Little known biography of Edwards from an always careful pen.
A Letter to a Gentleman of Baltimore: in reference to the case of The Rev. Mr. Duncan, [in reference to the necessity and utility of creeds] 1826, 91 pages. This is a lengthy letter to an anonymous friend reviewing Rev. Mr. Duncan’s book Creeds, which argued against the use of creeds due to the sufficiency of the Bible.
Letters Concerning the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry… with a Prefatory Letter on the Episcopal Controversy, 1830, 558 pages. The Letters are systematically laid out in the table of contents starting with the testimony of scripture concerning church government, then the testimony of the history of the church, followed by the rise and progress of prelacy and its practical problems.
Miller became heavily involved in public debates about prelacy (top-down church government by bishops) due to the rise of the influence of Episcopalians in his area. This is must reading for a defense of presbyterianism from scripture and history, and for showing the Biblical and historical errors of episcopalian government.
Letters from a Father to his Sons in College, 1852, 260 pages
Here is help for godly living as well as overseeing the development of your own children as they leave home and grow into independent young adults at college. Much needed by fathers and mothers in our own day as youth are everywhere neglecting and forsaking the God of their fathers in college. Be a constant, positive influence in their life for good.
Letters of a Grandfather, to the surviving children of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, comes after p. 90, then numbering starts over, 1839, 98 pages
Grandfathers, teach your grandchildren practical godliness! Write letters to them!
Letters on Clerical Manners and Habits, 1835, 414 pages
“Love… does not behave itself unseemly,” 1 Cor. 13:4,5. Study your life with an eye to this verse. Here is a book to help. Filled with practical wisdom and application of the scriptures. This is especially important for ministers and elders (clerics) who are to be blameless in all things (1 Tim. 3:2), and yet often needlessly offend by one word (James 3:2). The book is also interesting and a bit humorous as it sheds light on the culture of a different day. Culture changes but the principles of God’s Word, which it is filled with, do not.
Letters on the Eternal Sonship of Christ: addressed to the Rev. professor Stuart, of Andover, 1823, 308 pages, 8 letters specifically aimed at Unitarianism
More relevant in our day than ever as some teachers are casting skepticism on the ‘begottenness’ of the Son in eternity.
Letters on the Observance of the Monthly Concert in Prayer, 1845, 120 pages
1821, 328 pages
Letters to Presbyterians, on the present crisis in the Presbyterian Church in the United States, 1833, 340 pages
Memoir of the Rev. Charles Nisbet, D.D.: Late President of Dickinson College, Carlisle, 1840, 357 pages
Memoirs of the Rev. John Rodgers, D. D., late pastor of the Wall-street and Brick churches in the city of New-York, 1813, 449 pages
The Primitive and Apostolical Order of the Church of Christ Vindicated, 1840, 398 pages
The Ruling Elder: respecting the Warrant, Nature and Duties of the Office, HTML, Buy 1840, 335 pages
The best American book on the subject preserving the historic reformed view that the Ruling Elder is a distinct office from the Minister and that the Ruling Elder is also a “presbyter” (“elder” in the English) along with the Minister. Thornwell would come along and claim that the Ruling Elder holds the same office as the Minister. Hodge in the North then rightly distinguished the Ruling Elder as a separate office, but excluded the Ruling Elder from the category of “presbyter” (“elder” in English), as do the Episcopalians.
Thoughts on Public Prayer, Buy 1849, 324 pages
Helpful practical advice for those who lead in public prayers, especially for ministers. We should study prayer, not for the purpose of artificiality, but so that we can better articulate our own thoughts and desires, contour our prayers most fittingly to our and other’s circumstances, and to express a greater range and depth of Biblical and godly sentiment.
The Utility and Importance of Creeds and Confessions, Buy 1839, 138 pages, included in Kevin Reed’s reprint Doctrinal Integrity above
Chapters out of Books
Conversation, HTML, from his Letters on Clerical Manners and Habits. 1835
Presbyterians do not Observe Holy Days, 1835, 14 paragraphs, from his Presbyterianism the Truly Primitive and Apostolical Constitution of the Church of Christ, p. 73-78
Religious Conversation, HTML, from his Letters on Clerical Manners and Habits. 1835
Articles (15)
Charles Nisbet, 1785-1804, a five page biographical reflection in William B. Sprague’s Annals of the American Pulpit, 1858, p. 455
The Christian education of children and youth, 1840, 84 pages
Church Attachment and Sectarianism, 6 pages, from The Presbyterian Magazine, Jan., 1854
“It is indeed, not only a misfortune, but a sin, that the Church of Christ which ought to be one in name, and in profession, as well as in fact, is divided into so many different denominations,” Miller rightly states. Let us not be sectarians and forget that we are part of the One Body of Christ on earth. This is a very balanced treatment.
The importance of a thorough and adequate course of preparatory study for the holy ministry, 1832, 58 pages
John Ewing, 1759-1802, 1859, a four page biographical reflection in William B. Sprague’s Annals of the American Pulpit, p. 216
Letter, on temperance of alcohol, 1836, p. 23, two and a half pages
Letter on Christmas Observance, HTML, 1828, 7 paragraphs, this letter is addressed to a secular commercial advertiser
Letter to William B. Sprague on revivals, p. 22 of the Appendix, 22 pages
Matthew Wilson, D.D., 1754-1790, 1859, a three page biographical reflection in William B. Sprague’s Annals of the American Pulpit, vol. 3, p. 178
Revivals of Religion, Part 1 and 2, 1833
The Views of Calvin on Prelacy, Vindicated, 1844, Appendix II, p. 87, 40 pages
The Vows of Teaching and Ruling Elders, 1833, two pages, abridged by Rev. Morton H. Smith
Lectures and Discourses (10)
A Discourse Designed to Commemorate the Discovery of New York by Henry Hudson, 1810, 30 pages
A Discourse for Promoting the Manumission [Freeing] of Slaves, and Protecting such of them as have been, or may be Liberated, 1797, 36 pages
The Guilt, Folly, and Sources of Suicide: Two Discourses, HTML, Buy 1805
Suicide is not often addressed at length by Christian ministers. Here it is.
The Importance of Mature Preparatory Study for the Ministry, 1829, 54 pages
The Importance of the Gospel Ministry, 1827, 68 pages
On Ecclesiastical Polity, 1833, p. 171, 42 pages
On the Importance of Creeds and Confessions: an Introductory Lecture, with an Appendix entitled A Letter to Scripturista, 1833, p. 301, 95 pages
The Rejection of Revealed Truth Referable to Moral Depravity, Heb. 3:12, 1830, p. 195, 44 pages
Introduction
Introductory Address to: Lectures to Young People, 1835, by William B. Sprague, 15 pages
Sermons (18)
The Appropriate Duty and Ornament of the Female Sex, Acts 9:36-41, 1808, p. 249
The dangers of education in Roman Catholic seminaries, Deut. 6:6,7, 1838
The Duty, the Benefits, and the Proper Method of Religious Fasting, Dan. 9:3, Two Sermons 1831
Fasting is not often addressed by Preachers, and the common Christian is largely unfamiliar with it, though it was a staple of God-fearing religion in the Bible. Here is help for a significant aspect of the Christian life.
An historic occasion, being the opening of Princeton Seminary, the first presbyterian seminary in America. Miller aptly suited his discourse for the occasion.
The Earth Filled with the Glory of the Lord, Num. 14:20,21, Buy 1835
Each part of the Lord’s vineyard has different terrain, circumstances, problems and peculiar qualities, which require different callings, gifts, and methods of labor. Here is help for those that labor in large cities.
The Evidence and Duty of Being on the Lord’s Side, Ex. 32:26, 1826, two sermons, p. 97
The Good Man: A Sermon in Memory of the Rev. George S. Woodhull, Acts 11:24, 1835
The Importance of Domestic Happiness, Job 5:24, 1835, p. 241
A happy home is a large part of life that ought not to be neglected, but ought to be cultivated and nurtured. The blessings and fruits born by it will richly reward you.
The Importance of Gospel Truth, John 17:17, 1832, p. 1
The Literary Fountains Healed, 2 Kings 2:21, 1823
The Nature and Effects of The Stage, Lam. 2:1,13: A Sermon on the Burning of the Theatre at Richmond, 1812
Introductions (7)
An Introductory Essay to: An essay on the spirit and influence of the reformation, 1833, 12 pages
An Introductory Essay to: A Manual on the Christian Sabbath by John H. Agnew, 1834, 16 pages
An Introductory Essay to: The articles of the Synod of Dort, by Thomas Scott, 1856, 50 pages
A Recommendatory Letter to: History of the Ancient Christians Inhabiting the Valleys of the Alps by Jean P. Perrin, 1847, 7 pages
A Recommendatory Letter to: The force of truth, 1841, by Thomas Scott, 11 pages
A helpful introduction to a classic of Christian literature. This is Scott’s autobiographical account of the development of and the force of the truth of the doctrines of grace on his own soul. Scott was an Anglican pastor and first published this account in 1779.
A Recommendation to: The internal evidence of the Holy Bible, or, The Bible proved from its own pages to be a Divine revelation, by Jacob J. Janeway, 1845, two pages
Extracts
Samuel Miller on the Sincere Free Offer of the Gospel
Related (7)
Trumbull, David – [Handwritten] Notes on Church History From Lectures by Samuel Miller (1842-1845) 160 pp.
Trumbull (1819-1889) was an early Protestant missionary in Chile and the founder of the Presbyterian Church in that country.
A Discourse Commemorative of the Character and Life of the Late Rev. Samuel Miller, 1850, by the Rev. Henry A. Boardman, 40 pages
The life of Samuel Miller, D.D., LL.D., vol.1, vol. 2 Buy 1869, 373 & 577 pages, by his son Samuel Miller
The major biography of Samuel Miller by his son.
The Intellectual Life of Samuel Miller: The Opening Address of the Session of 1905-1906 at Princeton Theological Seminary, 1906, by John De Witt, a professor at Princeton Seminary, 22 pages
Samuel Miller, 1791-1850, Buy 1858, thirteen pages of biographical reflection on Miller from William Sprague, James Carnahan, and Nicholas Murray including a bibliography, in William B. Sprague’s Annals of the American Pulpit, vol. 3, p. 600
Two letters in reply to certain publications of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller, by George Weller, 1836, 134 pages, an episcopalian response to Millers’ An Examination of the Reasons for Rejecting Episcopacy
A Vindication of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in a series of letters addressed to the Rev. Samuel Miller, D.D.: in reply to his late writings on the Christian ministry, and to the charges contained in his life of the Rev. Dr. Rodgers ; with preliminary remarks, by Thomas How, 1816, 534 pages
An episcopalian response to several of Miller’s writings on presbyterianism against epsicopalianism