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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 importance of gracious activity in the Christian experience, emphasizing the balance between contemplation and action, following the shepherd's leadership, and reflecting the life of Jesus in all aspects of our lives. He highlights the necessity of both the green-pasture experience of being fed by the Good Shepherd and the satisfaction found in serving others. Chapman stresses the significance of having others recognize that we have been with Jesus through our actions, words, and presence, making our Christian life a testimony of His love and grace.
Ninth Day: "He Leadeth me."
"THE other side of the Christian experience is to be found in gracious activity. We not only think, but we act. We are not always lying down to feed or because we are satisfied, but we are journeying on toward perfection. But it must all be under his leadership. The shepherd leads the way; the flock, confiding from experience in his wisdom and goodness, follow. 'And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him for they know his voice.' John 10 4. In ordinary circumstances the shepherd does not feed his flock; he simply guides them where they may gather for themselves; but there are times when it is otherwise. Take in the autumn, when the pastures are dried up, and in winter in places covered with snow, he must furnish them food or they die; and so it is not an uncommon sight to see the shepherd all day long in the bushy trees, cutting down the branches upon whose green leaves and tender twigs the sheep are entirely supported. Mary was the sister sitting at her Master's feet in contemplation, Martha the sister busy serving, constantly in action; but, as they both dwelt in one house, so must both these elements of the Christian life be in one heart." "It is a mistake to think the life may be right without the green-pasture experience, and quite as much of a mistake to think that there can be genuine satisfaction without service. So our good Shepherd will feed us as he leads us out to live for him." There must be the reflection of his life in all we do. There must be the inflection of his voice in all we say. There must be the heavenly atmosphere of his presence in all that we are. Our Christian life is a failure if it is not possible for all with whom we come in contact to take "knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus." "He knows how I am longing Some weary soul to win, And so he bids me go and speak The loving word to him; He bids me tell his wondrous love, And why he came to die; And so we work together; My Lord and I." SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY. 1. Begin the day by enthroning him in your life. Make him your king as never before, and yield to him your loyal submission. 2. Make a covenant with him that there shall be only one path for you this day, and that the way in which he will walk before you. 3. Make a firm resolve that the day shall make some person happier, his burden lighter, his trouble easier to bear, because you touched them with your influence. 4. Make grateful acknowledgment to the Lord for the privilege of walking with him one entire day.
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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.