Miller, George Benjamin, D.D., an eminent divine of the Lutheran Church, was born of Moravian parentage at Emmons, Lehigh County, Pa., June 10, 1795. His father, the Rev. George G. Miller, connected with the classical and theological school at Nazareth, and descended from a long line of Moravian clergymen, furnished him with special facilities for intellectual and moral culture. He entered Nazareth Hall as a pupil when only eight years of age, and there he continued his studies for eight'years. He then left for Philadelphia, and commenced liis career as a teacher in a private school. Subsequently he turned his attention to mer- cantile pursuits, but he soon discovered that the work was not adapted to his natural tastes and inclmations. In less than a year he resumed his former employment, and became associated with the Rev. Dr. Hazelius as an instructor in an academy at New Germantown, N. J.,
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and at the same time continued his theological studies, which had been commenced at Nazareth. In the au- tumn of 1818 he entered upon the work of the ministry at Canajoharie, N. Y., having been previously licensed to preacli by the New York llinisterium, then under the [)residency of the Rev. Dr. Quitman. In connec- tion with his pastoral labors he established a classical school, and gave regular instruction. In this position he faithfully labored till 1827, when he accepted a pro- fessorship in Ilartwick Seminary, N. Y., and again be- came the colleague of Dr. Hazelius, whom he succeeded as i)rincipal of the institution in 1830. With the ex- ception of live years spent in the work of teaching and preacliing elsewhere, he continued connected with this seminary, either as principal or professor of theology, until his death, devoting all his energies to the prepa- ration of young men for college or of candidates for the lioly ministry. His name will always be as closely identified with the history of the institution as that of its benevolent founder. He died with the harness on, April b, 18G9. Dr. Miller was married to Delia B. Sny- der in 1816, and in 18GG commemorated his "golden wedding" with a large number of relatives and friends, who had gathered from different parts of tlie country to present their congratulations and good wishes, the whole family, twenty-three in number, on the evening preced- ing the wedding festivities, uniting in the celebration of tlie Lord's Supper, and the reverend patriarch, sur- romuled by three generations, administering the sacred ordinance. Dr. ^liller was a man of quick, acute, and discriminating intellect. lie was distinguished for his accurate and ripe scholarship. As a man of learning, he had few superiors in the country. He had a perfect command of his own vernacular, and spoke and wrote (ierman and French with wonderful facility. He was familiar with the exact sciences, his acquaintance with history was very extensive, and his knowledge of the ancient classics critical and complete. He was also a profound Hebraist, and thoroughly versed in the Script- ures, so that he never found it necessary to use a con- cordance, but coidd turn with almost unfailing intuition to the required passage of the sacred page. Dr. Miller was noted as a man of original thought and independent research. As a writer, he was universally commended as clear, accurate, and instructive. The productions of his pen show his power of analysis, of generalization, and great condensation in the method of statement. His extensive erudition and eidarged experience were only surpassed by the loveliness of his Christian charac- ter; and his earnest, simple-hearted, active jiiety made a deep impression upon all who came witliin the range of his intluence. His elevated type of Christian excel- lence, his high culture, his unpretending, modest char- acter. Ids life unsullied by a single stain, attracted to- wards him by the strongest sympathies all men. He was a bright and shining light in the Church, and his name will ever be cherished with the most affectionate interest. All his acfiuisitions were made subordinate to that which most deeply interested his fictive mind — the study of divine truth. All his treasures were laid at the Master's feet, and devoted entirely to his service. When, in 1830, he received the distinction of D.D. from Union College, he meekly submitted, remarking to a friend that the letters would serve as a good Scriptural motto, Deo iJuce. The Lutheran Church owes to him as much as to any other laborer in this country. The only works published by Dr. Miller are a volume of Ser- mons on somi; of the Fundamental rrwciplis of the Gos- pel, and a text-book on (Jcrman (irammar, wliich never reached an extensive circulation. I'or a more detailed account, see Kranrjel. Qi/. liev. 1870, Jan. ji. '25 st). ; Me- vmr'uil Viilniiu- if'/furlirirk .Sniuiiiin/. (M. L. S.)
Miller, George "W., a minister of the Methodist ICpiscupal (liurcli, was l)orn near Westminster, ^Id., in 182t!. He was converted at sixteen ; entered the ndn- istry of the United Brethren Church in his twenty-lifih year, and travelled for seven consecutive years. He
then joined the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he labored until his death, at Pioneer, Ohio, Aug. 10, 1872. He was an earnest and successful minister, a faithful and beloved pastor.