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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 emphasizes the reverence the Israelites had for the name of Jehovah in the Old Testament, speaking it only once a year in the most holy place. He encourages the congregation to consider the significance of Jehovah's different names in the Old Testament, such as Jehovah-jireh (The Lord will provide) and Jehovah-shalom (Jehovah send peace), and how they can apply to our lives today in bringing victory and peace. Chapman urges believers to acknowledge their weakness, rely on God's strength to overcome temptations, and trust in God's provision and peace for each day.
First Day: "The Lord Is My shepherd."
IT is said that whenever we find the Lord's name written in small capitals in the Old Testament, we are to remember that the thought is to be concerning Jehovah. The Israelites spoke his name but once a year, and then the high priest was the speaker, and the place was the most holy place. They had such a reverence, not only for Jehovah but also for his very name, that they would not set their feet upon a piece of parchment for fear his name might be upon the other side. And he whom Israel thus rev erenced is your Lord for this day. Is there any reason why it may not be a day of victory? In different places in the Old Testament this very name Jehovah is used with added emphasis, as if to make plain what he would be to Israel. Jehovah; that is, "I am that I am," Exod. 6: 3. Since we live in the New Testament times, it is our privilege to finish the sentence, making him to be all that our souls long for. I am thy life, thy strength, thy soul's delight; "I will guide thee with mine eye." Jehovah-jireh; Gen. 22: 14; that is, "The Lord will provide." "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Every hour of this day his strength shall counteract thy weakness; his rest shall be in place of thy restlessness; he himself shall guard thee from every ill. Jehovah-nissi; that is, "Jehovah my banner," Exod. 17 : 15. There was to be fighting that day with Amalek, and Moses knew that victory was his because Jehovah was his secret of strength. There will be temptations for you this day, but temptation is not sin; yielding is sin. But no temptation can overtake you and cause defeat if the Lord be given the mastery of your life. Jehovah-shalom; that is, "Jehovah send peace", Judg. 6 :24. And he will give peace in the place of unrest, because he gives himself. It is every Christian's privilege to claim the Lord in all his fulness. Do this for today, and victory is certain. SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY. 1. Realize, if you can, your own weakness. This will show you how dangerous your position is and how liable you are to fall. 2. Conceive, if you can, his mighty strength, and then realize that he is yours to stand between you and every temptation and trial. 3. Over and over this day keep saying, "If God be for me, who can be against me?" 4. Commit your way to him, and let him be responsible at least for this one day of your life.
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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.