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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 detecting the Lord's leadings through various ways: following Jesus' example, seeking guidance from His teachings in the Gospels, listening to advice from friends, being attentive to sermons or hymns, and recognizing inner promptings of the Spirit as God's leadings. Chapman emphasizes the importance of being willing to do God's will, stating that it requires a well-kept life to both do and will to do His will. He highlights the rarity and value of a truly willing soul that seeks to align with God's will.
Fifteenth Day: "He Leadeth me."
THERE are certain ways by means of which we may surely detect the Lord's leadings. His own example is an illustration. What did he do in circumstances so nearly like our own? His instructions given his disciples in the Gospels may serve as guideposts for us, pointing out the way in which we should walk. The advice of a friend may be the very clearest teaching of God. The preaching of a sermon or the singing of a hymn may open clearly the way. Those inner promptings of the Spirit which come we know not how are as a rule the leadings of God. And, if two of these agree, it is at least well to consider carefully whether this may not be God's call to walk in the way of his own choosing. However, Henry Drummond has said in his "Ideal Life," "Let it be remembered that it requires a well-kept life to will to do the will of God. It requires a well-kept life to do the will of God, and even a better-kept life to will to do his will. To be willing is a rarer grace than to be doing the will of God, For he who is willing may sometimes have nothing to do, and must only be willing to wait, and it is easier far to be doing God's will than to be willing to have nothing to do; it is easier far to be working for Christ than it is to be willing to cease. So there is nothing rarer in the world today than the truly willing soul, and there is nothing more worth coveting than the will to will God's will. There is no grander possession for any Christian life than the transparently simple mechanism of a sincerely obeying heart; and, if we could keep the machinery clear, there would be lives in thousands doing God's will on earth even as it is done in heaven." "Father, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me The changes that will surely come I do not fear to see I ask thee for a present mind, Intent on pleasing thee." SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY. 1. Tell him that for today at least you are perfectly willing to be led. 2. Wait patiently before you move, that you may know whether he is really going in advance of you. Remember that much of the chafing and disappointment and fret of life have come because you were impatient and moved before the pillar of cloud led you. 3. Do not say, "I cannot know his will; I am stupid about it all." This matters little to Christ, even if it be true. If he cannot make you understand in one way, he will in another. It is the business of the Shepherd to lead the willing sheep aright.
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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.