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- Twenty Ninth Day: "Goodness And Mercy Shall Follow Me."
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 constant presence of goodness and mercy in the believer's life, likening them to guardian angels who follow closely behind, providing protection and provision in all circumstances. He emphasizes the trust needed in God's leading, even in times of darkness and uncertainty, knowing that His hand is always there to guide and sustain. Chapman encourages the congregation to remember God's faithfulness to past generations and to trust in His wisdom and provision for their lives, regardless of the paths they may walk.
Twenty-Ninth Day: "Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow me."
"THIS sentence may be read, 'Only goodness and mercy shall follow me,' for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. These twin guardian angels will always be at my back and my beck. Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. Goodness and mercy follow him always. 'All the days of his life,' the black days as well as the bright days, the days of fasting as well as the days of feasting, the dreary days of winter as well as the bright days of summer. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins." It is Mr. Meyer who says that. The shepherd always goes before his sheep; goodness and mercy like shepherd dogs come after. What a protection for the sheep! how safe the journey may be! He Leadeth Me. "In pastures green? Not always: sometimes He Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me In weary ways, where heavy shadows be; "Out of the sunshine, warm and soft and bright, Out of the sunshine into the darkest night. I oft would faint with sorrow and affright, "Only for this; I know He holds my hand; So, whether in green or desert land, I trust, although I may not understand. "And by still waters? No, not always so; Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow, And o'er my soul the waves and billows go; "But, when the storm beats loudest, and I cry Aloud for help, the Master standeth by, And whispers to my soul, Lo, it is I!' "Above the tempest would I hear him say, 'Beyond this darkness lies the perfect day, In every path of thine I lead the way.' "So, whether on the hill-tops high and fair I dwell, or in sunless valleys where The shadows lie, what matter? He is there. "And more than this: where'er the pathways lead, He gives no helpless, broken reed, But his own hand, sufficient for my need "So, where He leads me I can safely go, And In the blest hereafter I shall know Why, In his wisdom, he hath led me so." SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY. 1. Remember this is one of "all the days," and God had you in mind when he made the pledge of help. 2. Be sure the God who kept his word with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will not begin to break his word with you. 3. Trust him when you cannot understand him; rejoice even when darkness seems to settle about you. 4. Walk boldly, knowing he is leading, and goodness and mercy are following close behind.
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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.