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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's obedience of love to follow the example of Jesus, who leads us in paths of righteousness and joy. As we walk with Him, our sorrows turn to rejoicing, disappointments become divine appointments, and our lives are transformed by His guidance. The key is to allow Jesus to have the right of way in our lives, leading us in liberty and joy.
Fourteenth Day: "He Leadeth me."
"THE Christian delights to be obedient, but it is the obedience of love to which he is constrained by the example of his Master." If he is leading us, two or three things are true. 1. He will go before us, and he will select no way in which his sheep could not travel. "Soon I go, not knowing; I would not if I might; I'd rather walk in the dark with God Than go alone in the light. I'd rather walk by faith with him Than go alone by sight." If it be the path of sorrow, it is turned into rejoicing because he is with us; if it be the way of disappointment, change the d to an h and it will become "his appointment," and it will be our joy. 2. We must be like his bond-slaves as we go on; it is not, however, the slavery in which shackles keep us from freedom, but the spirit of that text, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." It does not mean liberty for us to do as we please, for that is lawlessness; but rather liberty for him to do as he pleases with us; and that is all joy. It is possible under certain conditions for the marble to be molded like clay in the hands of the potter, and thus to become the statue of an angel; but this is nothing compared with the transformation which may be wrought in our lives, did he but have the right of way in them. 3. There can be only one way through this world for the child of God if this text be true, and that is the way where he can travel before us. In our attitude toward the world and our walk through it we must go only as he leads. SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY. 1. Make a firm resolve that this day of your life shall be for his glory, and so let him lead you where he wills. 2. Remember his words, that "inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, you did it unto me." Lift some one's burden today; cheer some one's downcast soul. This will please him. 3. If there is some one against whom you have a grudge, do that one a favor today. The chances are, your feelings will change entirely before the week is ended. Live and act today as you think Jesus would. This is allowing him to lead you.
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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.