Samuel M. Miller

Samuel Martin Miller (1890–1975) was a Swedish-American Lutheran pastor, educator, author, and hymn composer whose vision for lay religious education deeply impacted Midwestern Lutheranism in the early twentieth century. Born on August 26, 1890, in Lowell, Massachusetts, Miller pursued theological training and was ordained as a pastor within the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church (the Augustana Synod), a body heavily rooted in Swedish immigrant traditions.

Recognizing a profound need for structured, intensive biblical training for laypeople rather than just ordained ministers, Miller became a principal architect of the Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI) movement. When the new Lutheran Bible Institute was established in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1919, Miller was appointed as its very first Dean, later serving as its president. Under his leadership, the institute grew from holding evening classes in local church basements to a major educational campus that reached thousands of adults through intensive coursework, extensive mail correspondence programs, and regional radio ministries.

Beyond his administrative and pastoral duties, Miller was a gifted writer and musician who dedicated his talents to developing simple, scripturally rich hymnody for corporate worship and children's education. He frequently served as both the author of the text and the composer of the musical tune, establishing a legacy as a complete hymn writer.

Miller's published catalog features several devotional pieces that gained widespread use within Lutheran and evangelical circles, including:

• "When Jesus Comes in Glory" – A majestic eschatological hymn celebrating Christ's return, set to his original tune WHEN JESUS COMES IN GLORY.

• "Jesus Only, on the Mountain" – A reflective text based on the Transfiguration of Christ, paired with his tune JESUS ONLY.

• "In a Manger Sweet With Hay" – A popular, tender Christmas carol written specifically for children's collections.

• "In the Holy Father's Keeping" – A comforting hymn focusing on divine providence and eternal security.

Miller later relocated to Florida, where he spent his final years before passing away on February 26, 1975, in Volusia County. He was laid to rest at the Ebenezer Lutheran Cemetery in Pierson, Florida, leaving behind an enduring legacy as an educator who brought biblical scholarship to everyday church pews.