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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 restoration and reclaiming power of God when the soul grows sorrowful, sinful, or weak. He emphasizes the difference between falling and falling away, using examples like Peter, the lost chapter in Luke 15, and the prodigal son. Chapman highlights the importance of seeking restoration from God, who brings us back to our original standing in fellowship with Him, offering peace, joy, and spiritual renewal.
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Eleventh Day: "He Restoreth My soul."
"WHEN the soul grows sorrowful, he revives it; when it is sinful, he sanctifies it; when it is weak, he strengthens it. He does it. His ministers could not do it if he did not; his word would not avail by itself." The believer is liable to fall; but to fall and to fall away are two quite different experiences. Peter fell, until he struck the prayers of Him who said, "Satan hath desired you, but I have prayed for thee." The fifteenth of Luke is the lost chapter for the Christian; and it is possible for us, like the coin, to be lost and still be in the house; for our place to be as an adornment for our risen Head, as the lost piece of silver, and yet be on the floor and for that reason useless; but, as the sheep had its shepherd, the money its owner, the prodigal his father, so we have our Lord to whom we may offer the prayer, "Restore my soul, O thou shepherd of the sheep." The same hand which first rescued us from ruin reclaims us from wandering; and, when he restores, it is to the same standing that we had before our fall from fellowship. Some one has said that that expression of the prodigal's father, "Bring forth the best robe," is literally, "Bring forth the same old robe he used to wear," which teaches that, when the prodigal went home, it was to have the same standing he had before his awful blunder. We must have restoration, for of what use would be the green pastures and a soul out of tune with God? We must have placed upon us his hand, and hear his voice saying, "Peace, be still"; for of what use would be the still waters if our souls were turbulent and distressed? You may be lost to the holiness, the happiness, the peace, the power, that once was yours. If so, you need his restoring touch. If you were ever higher spiritually than you are today, you have fallen just the difference between that higher point and this. SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY. 1. Find out what it is that has robbed you of your peace and joy. The responsibility cannot be upon God; it must be with you. 2. Confess your faults to God or to men as you may have sinned against them. Remember you are no more nearly right with God than with your fellow men. 3. Believe that what you have honestly confessed he will freely forgive. 4. Breathe in once again of his fullness. 5. Ask him for special help for the day, which may be yours on the morrow; then rest in him.
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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.