Notes by David Trumbull from Miller’s Church History Lectures
Digitized scan of ‘Notes on Church History’ with severe OCR corruption; most text is illegible and filled with digitization artifacts.
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Notes by David Trumbull from Miller’s Church History Lectures
Recommendation to J.J. Janeway’s The Internal Evidence of the Holy Bible
A 19th-century apologetic arguing for the Bible’s divine authority from internal evidence: unity, miracles, fulfilled prophecy, moral excellence, and the redemptive plan of Scripture.
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Recommendatory Letter to Archibald Bower’s The History of the Popes
Announcement of an affordable American edition of Bower’s History of the Popes (to 1758, with continuation), with numerous Protestant endorsements framing it as a critique of the papacy.
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Remarks on the Monthly Concert of Prayer
Samuel Miller urges observance of the monthly concert in prayer, promoting united, persistent intercession for revival and the spread of the gospel. He traces its Scottish origin.
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An Address, Delivered in the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth-Town, N.J., November 24th, 1845
Samuel Miller’s 1846 dedication address honors Rev. James Caldwell, a patriot minister murdered in 1781, celebrating his ministry and arguing Christianity promotes civil and religious liberty.
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A Letter to the Churches, Concerning a Theological School (1810)
Minutes of the General Assembly urging establishment of a centralized theological seminary to train ministers, meet vacant congregations’ needs, and solicit funds.
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Recommendatory Letter to “History of the Ancient Christians Inhabiting the Valleys of the Alps” (1845)
History of the Waldenses, Albigenses, and Vaudois, showing their Calvinist doctrine and Presbyterian polity. Defends them against Romanist and anti-pedobaptist misrepresentations.
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Resolutions on Mr. Albert Barnes, May 30, 1831 (1831)
General Assembly minutes (1821–1835) covering missions, copyright issues, and judicial cases—notably the Rev. Albert Barnes matter. The Assembly ordered presbytery division and handled complaints.
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Foreword to J.M. Olmstead’s Thoughts and Counsels for the Impenitent (1846)
Urgent evangelical exhortation to the unconverted: repent and not trade your immortal soul for worldly gain. Emphasizes Christ’s costly redemption and eternal judgment.
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Letter to Joseph H. Jones re: Ashbel Green
Life of Rev. Ashbel Green: devoted Presbyterian pastor and college president who shaped theological education, preaching, and pastoral care through deep piety and leadership.
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Remarks on Clericus
Letters: Geneva’s Evangelical Society appeals to American Christians for funds; one piece condemns buying milk on the Sabbath; another argues dancing isn’t per se sinful.
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Thoughts on Public Prayer
Samuel Miller advises young ministers on public prayer—its history, common faults, liturgies, and how to attain excellence—urging pastoral engagement, careful preparation, and reliance on the Spirit.
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The Appropriate Duty and Ornament of the Female Sex (1808)
Sermon defending women’s distinct, God‑ordained sphere—wives, mothers, household duties—exemplified by Dorcas. True ornament is piety and good works, not fashion.
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November 19, 1810 Letter to John Codman (1810)
Memoir argues against ministers exchanging pulpits with heterodox preachers, warning this practice dilutes evangelical doctrine, weakens preaching, and fuels Boston’s apostasy.
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Church Attachment and Sectarianism
Distinguishes faithful attachment to one’s denomination from sinful sectarianism; urges holding fast to doctrinal truth while loving, praying for, and rejoicing in other Christians.
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February 9, 1836 Letter on the Doctrine of the Atonement (1836)
Critique of Arminian inconsistencies arguing Methodist writers often teach Presbyterian doctrines; examines the nature and extent of the atonement.
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Extract from a Speech to the General Assembly on Freemasonry (1821)
Brief biography of Samuel Miller, Princeton professor, noting his 1821 defense of Freemasons in the General Assembly, seminary growth, and missionary involvement.
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February 28, 1848 Letter to William B. Sprague (1848)
Commemorative biography of Rev. John N. Abeel (1768–1812), a Reformed Dutch/American minister noted for piety, eloquent experimental preaching, pastoral care, charity, and revival leadership.
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The Life of Samuel Miller, D.D., LL.D., Vol. 1
A comprehensive biography of Samuel Miller, D.D., Princeton seminary professor, tracing his ancestry, ministry, writings, controversies, and influence on Presbyterian theological education.
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