Rev. M. G. Milligan was born near Moulton, Alabama, December 16, 1827. His father moved to Arkansas in 1843, but died in a short while. In 1844 his widowed mother moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where M. G. was her only support, and for a time this was done by cutting cord wood for the sum of ten cents per day.

At this place he came in contact with a Cumberland Presbyterian Sunday School in a little brick church on Court Street, of which Rev. Robert Donnell was pastor.

In 1846 his mother moved to Aberdeen, Mississippi, and in the same year the boy was converted under the preaching of Rev. Finis A. Harris and Rev. S. W. Donatham. He joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Grove Alabama.

At once he felt impressed with a call to the gospel ministry, but being severely conscious of his limited education he halted and tried to excuse himself before the Lord. But the impression only grew stronger, until leaning upon God's manifold promises to his trusting children who call upon Him in the day of trouble, he surrendered, and in a very unexpected way, an opportunity presented itself for him to go to school at Oak Grove Academy for ten months. During the following winter he worked sawing lumber with a whip-saw and secured money to attend the same school another ten months.

In 1847, he joined New Hope Presbytery. Bravely battling with environments for which he was not responsible, and seeming adverse winds, he continued to pursue his studies. In the meantime he transferred to Jackson Presbytery, and in 1848 was licensed at Larkinsville, by Rev. E. J. Stockton.

In August 1850 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Starkey, who lived only five years. Of their family of three children, only the writer survives.

He was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry in 1853, at Shiloh Church, in Madison county, Rev. John Drake preaching the sermon, and Rev. E. J. Stockton presiding and giving the charge.

After the death of his wife he rode the circuit, his rounds embracing all of Jackson, and parts of Marshall and Madison counties; would be gone for a month at a time preaching nearly every day. To him the Master's call meant consecration, and not a mere profession.

Again he was married to Mrs. H. A. Collier, widow of Rev. Green A. Collier. His next location was Big Cove, near Mt. Pleasant Camp ground. Here he endeavored to do his Master's will until in 1865, when he moved to Gadsden, and joined Talledega Presbytery. Through his influence the first Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Gadsden was built in 1867 and 68. He was made Missionary pastor of Talledega Presbytery, which presbytery had seceded from the General Assembly in 1862. Under his ministry the presbytery was induced to repeal the secession act, and was restored to fellowship and cooperation with the Assembly.

He has preached for sixty years in the three above named Presbyteries, and is the only surviving man of either of them who were members at the time he joined them. At this writing, he is nearing his 88th birthday anniversary. His mind is clear, his hearing good, his nerves strong, but his limbs tottery. He says he could preach as good as ever, if his congregation would only come to him. During the perpetuation struggle for the existence of his church, his heart was fixed, his convictions clear, his life with full meaning and utmost effort, was upon God's altar, and in his honest conviction, that altar was not to be removed from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. However, he exercises christian patience and charity towards his persecutors, and in the spirit of his Master, "When he was reviled, reviled not again."

In 1904 he was bereft of his second companion, and now with no regret for the past, with gratitude for daily recurring present blessings, looks forward with joy to the "crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give."

[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers.Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. The Assistance of Revs. J. L. Price and W. P. Kloster is Greatfully Acknowledged. Nashville, Tenn.: The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 221-224]

MILLIGAN.--Rev. M. G. Milligan was born December 16, 1827. Died July 15, 1916.

On the adjournment of the General Assembly in May he visited his brother in Mississippi, while there he was taken ill, and survived only a few days.

Brother Milligan joined New Hope Presbytery in 1847 when he was twenty years of age. He soon moved into the bounds of Jackson Presbytery, where he was licensed in 1848, and ordained in 1850. He 1865 he moved to Gadsden, Ala., and united with the Talledega Presbytery. He lived and labored in the bounds of this Presbytery till he was called home.

Brother Milligan had a hard fight against poverty. His father died when he was a boy, being the oldest of a family of several children, the widowed mother depended principally upon his labor as a means of support. Thus he was confronted with the proposition of supporting the family and obtaining an education. Under such conditions it seemed impossible to qualify himself for the work of the ministry. But with a strong faith in God he began the preparation. His education was largely the result of untiring efforts in connection with other activities of life. He was possessed with an intellectuality of a high type. His reasoning was clear, analytical, profound. He was a fine sermonizer. He was not a sensational preacher, but went to the law and the prophets for his arguments. His knowledge of the scriptures and insight into their meaning were marked characteristics of his life and his preaching. There was a vein of humor ever present in his social life which gave spice to his companionship. He gave the best efforts of his life to the cause of Christ through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. When the effort was made to destroy the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Brother Milligan, with the vigor of younger manhood, entered upon the work of defending the church he loved from the malignant efforts of her enemies to destroy her. Brother Milligan could say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

Many a time he sang:

"I love thy kingdom Lord,
  The house of thine abode,
The church my blessed Redeemer bought
  With his own precious blood.

"For her my tears shall fall,
  For her my prayers ascend,
For her my toils and cares be given,
  Till toils and cares shall end."

Now he wears a crown of righteousness and his works do follow him.

M. M. RUSSELL.
Attalla, Ala.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, October 12, 1916, page 914]