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J. Wilbur Chapman
John Wilbur Chapman (1859–1918) was an American Presbyterian preacher and evangelist whose dynamic ministry bridged the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving a profound impact on American evangelicalism through his revival campaigns and hymnody. Born on June 17, 1859, in Richmond, Indiana, to Alexander H. Chapman and Lorinda McWhinney, he grew up in a devout Presbyterian family with two sisters and a brother who died in infancy. Converted at age 17 in 1876 during a revival at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, he felt called to ministry and graduated from Oberlin College in 1879 and Lane Theological Seminary in 1882, where he was ordained that year. He married Irene Steddom in 1882, who died in 1886 after bearing three children—Bertha, Irene, and Agnes—followed by marriages to Agnes Pruyn Strain in 1888 (died 1907, with three more children) and Mabel Cornelia Moulton in 1910, who outlived him. Chapman’s preaching career began with pastorates at Liberty Presbyterian Church in Indiana and Dutch Reformed Church in Schuylerville, New York (1882–1885), followed by First Reformed Church in Albany (1885–1890) and Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (1890–1899), which grew to over 2,000 members under his leadership. Resigning in 1899 to become a full-time evangelist, he conducted citywide revivals across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, notably partnering with Charles Alexander in 1907 for campaigns that drew millions, including a 1908 Boston revival baptizing 2,500 converts. Known for hymns like “One Day” and “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners,” and books such as The Secret of a Happy Day, Chapman served as General Secretary of the Presbyterian General Assembly’s Evangelism Committee (1903–1918). He died on December 25, 1918, in New York City after gall bladder surgery, leaving a legacy as a preacher whose fervor and organizational skill revitalized urban evangelism, bridging Moody’s era to Billy Sunday’s.
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J. Wilbur Chapman preaches about the Christian life having two elements: the contemplative and the active, both richly provided for by God. He emphasizes the importance of finding refreshment and satisfaction in God's provision, likening it to green pastures in a parched land, symbolizing the Scriptures of truth. Chapman highlights the necessity of feeding on the word of God for nourishment, satisfaction, and peace, contrasting it with the world's distractions and emphasizing the need to hear God's voice for true restfulness. He suggests starting the day in quietness, alone with God, to secure a foundation of Bible-study and prayer for a spiritually fulfilling day.
Eighth Day: He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures.
"THE Christian life has two elements in it, the contemplative and the active and both of these are richly provided for." The text above introduces us to the contemplative. "In a hilly country like Palestine, under a burning sun, only the glens or valleys were covered with the green herbage, which was refreshing and satisfying to the flock. If I should write that the Lord hath green pastures for us, I could present the thought of the riches of his provision for us; but, when I say he will lead us into this place of refreshment, I present to you the thought of his goodness and his grace." "But the slopes of Palestine, bared to the hot sun of the East, are not more parched and barren than the portion of the world through which you will be obliged to walk this day; so without the green pastures it will he a sad experience. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truth, always fresh, always rich, and never exhausted?" As with a new-born babe food is the requisite, proper nourishment it must have, so the fresh pasture of the word of God is opened, the knowledge of his will revealed, the delight of his fullness unfolded, and perfect satisfaction is offered. "When by faith we are enabled to find rest in the promises, we are like the sheep that lie down, and we find both provender and peace, rest and refreshment." It is said that hungry sheep never lie down. Why is it, then, that so many of God's children seem famished and are not comfortable in him? It is because they are taken up with the world, because they are feeding upon husks, because they have turned their faces away from the truth, but more truly still because they have refused to hear his voice leading them into all this restfulness and satisfaction. It is God's will that we should be filled with peace. SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY. Begin the day in quietness. Get alone, if only for a little while, with God. Give him the right of way in your life; breathe in of his gracious presence; keep very still before him, and let this be in the early part of the day. Why in the Morning? At a meeting of Morning Bible-Readers held lately in Calcutta the following reasons were given why we should read the Bible and pray in the morning. 1. We owe first things to God. 2. We are most likely to be able to secure a quiet time in the morning. 3. There is much danger that Bible-study and prayer will be crowded out entirely if not enjoyed in the morning. 4. The mind is then free and fresh. 5. First impressions last. 6. Bible-study and prayer make a good foundation for the day. 7. We should seek a high-level start. 8. By this we are put on guard against sin. Ps. 119:9, 11 9. We shall most probably have occasion during the day to use what we get in the morning. One should not go out into wild districts without weapons and ammunition. 10. Many good and holy persons recommend this as one of the chief secrets of deep spiritual living. 11. There is biblical authority for the habit. See Ps. 5:3, and elsewhere.
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John Wilbur Chapman (1859–1918) was an American Presbyterian preacher and evangelist whose dynamic ministry bridged the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving a profound impact on American evangelicalism through his revival campaigns and hymnody. Born on June 17, 1859, in Richmond, Indiana, to Alexander H. Chapman and Lorinda McWhinney, he grew up in a devout Presbyterian family with two sisters and a brother who died in infancy. Converted at age 17 in 1876 during a revival at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, he felt called to ministry and graduated from Oberlin College in 1879 and Lane Theological Seminary in 1882, where he was ordained that year. He married Irene Steddom in 1882, who died in 1886 after bearing three children—Bertha, Irene, and Agnes—followed by marriages to Agnes Pruyn Strain in 1888 (died 1907, with three more children) and Mabel Cornelia Moulton in 1910, who outlived him. Chapman’s preaching career began with pastorates at Liberty Presbyterian Church in Indiana and Dutch Reformed Church in Schuylerville, New York (1882–1885), followed by First Reformed Church in Albany (1885–1890) and Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (1890–1899), which grew to over 2,000 members under his leadership. Resigning in 1899 to become a full-time evangelist, he conducted citywide revivals across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, notably partnering with Charles Alexander in 1907 for campaigns that drew millions, including a 1908 Boston revival baptizing 2,500 converts. Known for hymns like “One Day” and “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners,” and books such as The Secret of a Happy Day, Chapman served as General Secretary of the Presbyterian General Assembly’s Evangelism Committee (1903–1918). He died on December 25, 1918, in New York City after gall bladder surgery, leaving a legacy as a preacher whose fervor and organizational skill revitalized urban evangelism, bridging Moody’s era to Billy Sunday’s.