The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-05-14
DIR. CHAPMAN'S SERMON
A SUNDAY DISCOURSE eY THE NOTED
PASToR.svsNceuST.

Subject: A Discouraged Man-Most People
Dissatisfied Because They Lead Too
Artificial Life-No Room In the King
dom OF God For Pessinisn.
THE Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, D. D.. is
now the most distinguished and best
known evangelist in the country. He was
second only 10 Or. TalElage. but since the
death of that famous preacher DIR. Chap
rlan has the undis?uted possession OF the
Pulpit as the preacher to Influence the
plain people. His services as AZ evangel-
ist are il constant demand. His sermons
have stirred the hearts OF men and women
to degree unnpproachsd by any latter.
day divine. J. Wilbur Chapman wa was born
in Richmond, Ind, june II, 1859. His
mother died when he was but twelve
wears of age, AID his father died seven
years afterward. Consequently he was
not only deprived OF q mothers care ut
the formative age OF boyhood, but he was
thrown upon his own resources before he
had reached early manhood. He was edu.
Gated at Oberlin College and Lake Forest
University, aad graduated fer the ministry
from the Lane Theological Seminary, Gin
cinnati, Ohio, III 1882. While there he
manifested tie character and the spirit
which have followed him as an evangelist
all over the country. They have made his
ministry ! continual success as pastor ana
as reviva.ist. His sermons are simple
and direct, SO that their influence - not
80 much due to exciting the emotions as
to winning the hearts and convincing. the
minds of those who hear him. DR.. Chap
man is now in charge of the Fourth Pres.
byterian Church, New York City.]
New YORK CIrY.-The Rev DR.. J. vii.
bur Chapman. Americas most famous pas
tor-cvangelist, who took charge OF mori.
bund churrh in this city several years ago.
ald is now preaching to an overhowins
congregation, has furnished the following
eloquent sermon to the press. 1t was
''But he himself went days journey into
the wilderness, and came and sat down
under Z juniper tree, and he requested for
himself that he might die
The history Of Elijah begins with the
seventeenth chapter OF Kings and starts
with the word "and." The preceding
chapter tells US Of the idolatry Of the peo-
pic of the reign Of lawlessness and the
apparent triumph OF iniquity. It seemed
as il the end of all things had colae, and
suppose everybody living in that time
thought so, but j: this was the impression,
the fatal mistake had been made because
God is left out OF all consideration. 1t Is
well for US to remember that He Is never
at q loss. The land may be overrun with
iniquity, His witnesses may be si'cnced,
some quiet village as He prepared Elijah.
and at the right time He will send hirl
forth with no uncertain testimony! There
is really no place for pessimi;m in the
kingdom of God. He has never made
failure in the past, He never will in the
future. III Cod be TO: US, who can be
against u.s." It is literally true. that when
the enemy comes in like acod this spirit
of the Lord shall lift up q standard against
him.
The story of Elijah is most interesting
and We trace him from his sudden appear
ance here flashing like o meteor upon, the
scene OF action, down to Chcrith, where
he is fed by the ravens, over to Larephath,
where he relieves the distress OF the WON.
an who meets him, but the most remark
where, facing the prophets OF Eaa!, after
their inability to call down fire from heav-
en- he produces the fire from the very
hand of God, which consumed the sacri-
fce, licks up the water in the trenches
and gives him victory Of most remarka.
bic Find. The prophets Of Baal are dis.
tressed, and the news concerning their de-
feat is carried to Jezebel. She is intensely
angry. and declares that Elijah shall be as
her prophets are at certain hour OF the
cay. Instead of looking up to God and
triumphiny over this wicked woman Eli.
j.h does quite the opposite. and thus It Is
that the text Is written to describe his sad
fall
How are the mighty fallen B? It would
be difficult to imagine man in whose lite
there was more of real contrast; now he IL
master in prayer ald the pendulum which
swings one way toward glory swings in
his l!fe in the other direction toward de-
spair, and the prayer for victory becomes
a wall Of distress; now he Is locking up
the heavens and holding the key AID ap.
parcat,y at his own will the rain tarries or
falls, and now utterly Gismayed he Is rush
INC TO the wilderness aad wishing that he
might die, but Elijah is not alone IN this
desire. The most OF men have at one time
or another wished that they might end all.
Moses did, And il Thou deal thus, with
me, kill re, pray Thee, cut OF haad, II !
hs he SO found md zs %s,es.dns. h Hsy a:s s
u. So also did Jonah, Therefore now. o
Lord, take, I beseech Thee. my life from
me, for it is better for ne to die. than to
live" Jonah 1: 5. And even the great
Apostle Paul said, Il aEi in a strait be-
twixt two. having desire to depart and to
be with Christ" hut .he trouble with the
most OF Is is we wan. to die our own way:
Elijah was not willing to die at the hand
of Jezebel, bat he was quite ready TO sleep
himself away into i7sens.bility under the
Juniper tree in the desert. Elijah made Z
great mistake in running away. II ne had
stood lis ground he misht have saved M hls
country, Prevented the captivity OF the
people, for I doutt not the 1000 that bad
rot bowed the knee 70 Gaal would have
come forth, and they would have rushed
forward conquerins and to conquer, but
Elijah is a picture OF ourselves, ana we all
like hr, have been times without number
under the juniper tree The object Of this
sernrr is &c ask the question, Why We
are thus disc colraced, ard then 70 deter
mine if possible what the difficulty was
with Elijah.
Why are we: There are Thousands CT
peo~ie to-day VINO are utterly dissatisfied
vita life because they are living too artIi-
ciai an exrerience. We have very many
thir IS that our ancestors lid not possess.
Tn, possession y: these things ought to
bring to US great blessings IL every way.
bu, as matter OF fact 1t IS true that
neither happiness, nor brotherly love. nor
mower nor good have teen Increased IN
the least. We have indeed gone IL: the op:
positc direction, ard many OF Us are OF
ali r,en nos. miserable We are d!scon-
tented because We are trying 70 "c some
thing that We are no.. Inc business man
thinks he mus, keep pace with his compet-
itor whatever the cost to himself. 1nd IN
little time he finds himself out OF his lat'
tude. In sccic.y thousands OF peop:e. are
apins the customs and manners 81 those
who are in an e..,rciy different set from
themselves. by whose side they can lever
stand. and ii they Cid they would be only
the more unhappy. and there are thousands
,; homes where instead OF living a slmp!e
M, IN. members o: the household are liv-