Richard Miller did nothing to become famous among God’s servants on this earth. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been rewarded in Glory for his sacrifice and service to the Lord.
Richard M. Miller was born in Seveir County, Tennessee on this day in 1815. While a teenager he was born again. When his family moved to Missouri, he joined the only Baptist church in the area. Although with little formal education, the Lord called him into His service, first as a witness of God’s saving grace and then as a preacher. Feeling self-conscious of his limitations, he confined his ministry to the backwoods.
The Union Baptist Church in Osage County called for his ordination on July 8, 1843, and he became their pastor, but he soon extended his work into Johnson, Cass, Miller, Maries and Pulaski counties as well. At the time there was not a single major community in any of this region, nevertheless, Bro. Miller was able to gather a good number of converts in Pisgah, Pulaski county, and it was there he and his family eventually settled.
Miller preached the gospel on Sundays, visited the lost in the evenings and worked on his farm during the day. One day while working in his field, he suffered a stroke. His wife found him on the ground helpless and nearly speechless. Three days later he passed into the presence of the Lord.
Today’s vignette could have been about Roger Williams who was banished from Massachusetts on this day in 1635. Or we might have examined I.J. Stottard who set sail to become a missionary in Assam on this day in 1847. But God has many more humble servants like Bro. Richard Miller than eminent missionaries or infamous historical personalities like Williams. All God’s worthies will be recognized in Heaven, but I believe more of them should be mentioned here on earth.
