Robert Cleaver Chapman . . 1803-1902

Introduction

Robert Chapman is not well known in this day. And in his day, when he first began to minister, friends said he would never make a good preacher. Though he never became a world-wide evangelist, never authored any monumental books, and did not lead any great mission in foreign lands. Yet, he labored for 70 years in a small town, in a remote corner of England, and became a living legend.

The significant achievement of Robert Cleaver Chapman is the life he lived. He said: "My business is to love others and not to seek that others shall love me." As to his limitations in speaking, Chapman replied: "There are many who preach Christ, but not so many who live Christ; my great aim will be to live Christ." And this became a consuming passion.

As a young man, Winston Churchill was taken to visit him. Charles Spurgeon called him: "the saintliest man I ever knew." John Nelson Darby said of Robert Chapman: "He lives what I teach." On another occasion Darby said: "We talk of the heavenlies, but Robert Chapman lives in them." A biographer wrote: "What then made Chapman so beloved and effective in his time? Quite simply, his utter devotion to Christ and his determination to live Christ." (Peterson, p.15)

Birth and Background

Born on January 4, 1803, to Thomas and Ann Chapman, he was the 6th of 10 children. His father ran a prosperous import-export business in Helsinger, Denmark. The family practiced nothing beyond the usual religious observances. His mother said of him, "Robert always has a passion, whether literature or the flute, and whatever he takes up, he pursues diligently." Chapman displayed linguistic abilities in English, Danish and French, languages spoken in the home; and also became proficient in German and Italian. After his conversion he mastered Hebrew and Greek, to study the Scriptures in the original languages. And eventually took up Spanish and Portuguese until he attained fluency in the interest of missionary work.

During Robert's childhood the Napoleonic wars between France, Denmark, and Britain, adversely affected the Chapman business in Denmark, so the family returned to Yorkshire, NE England, where his formal education was completed. At 15 he begin a 5-year legal apprenticeship in London, taking advantage of the active social life afforded be the large city. Because of the spiritual awakening - at age 16, he began to read the Bible. Later Chapman described his condition at that time: "Sick was I of the world, hating it as vexation of spirit, while yet I was unable and unwilling to cast it out."(Peterson, p. 21)

After his apprenticeship, Chapman became an attorney. Three years later, at the age of 23, he inherited a small fortune and set up a law practice, which began to prosper. His future looked bright; except for an event that occurred a few years earlier which was to change the entire course of Chapman's life.

Salvation

At 20 he was brought to salvation by James Harington Evans at John Street Chapel. A lawyer invited him, and Evans preached justification by faith based on the redemption of Jesus Christ. Once saved Chapman studied his Bible with renewed interest. Following the pattern he found in the Bible, Chapman desired to be baptized immediately. Evans advised him to wait, saying: "You will wait a while and consider the matter." But Chapman insisted. "No" he said, "I will make haste,and delay not, to keep His commandments" (Pickering p. 69). So Evans agreed. And Robert Chapman was baptized a few days after accepting Christ.

Testifying and Bearing Fruit

Immediately, as new believer, he began to witness to friends and family. Later he wrote: "I became an offence to those I forsook, even those of my own flesh and blood" (Peterson, p. 26) But not all took his testimony as a 'savor of death'; to some it was a 'savor unto life'. One cousin and her husband – The Pugsleys - were drawn upon hearing of Robert's experience. The couple traveled from Devon to London to hear more, and studied the Bible with Robert, and soon accepted Christ. Chapman also began to visit and preach among the poor who lived in the neighborhood.

Perfecting

Having led him to Christ, Evans spent considerable time with Chapman. Later referring to him as "one of my stars. ...He has no ebbs or flows. ... he is ... ready for anything - everything - it matters not what." In his pursuit of Christ, Chapman displayed both stability and eagerness. Evans encouraged the young believer to speak for the Lord.

“My Great Aim”

If Romans 1:17, 'The just shall live by faith' is the hallmark of Luther's work, then Philippians 1:21, '...for to me to live is Christ' is Robert Chapman's. After his first efforts to minister, it became apparent, speaking was not his calling. Yet this was not a deterent to his service. As mentioned previous, He resolved: "There are many who preach Christ, but not so many who live Christ; my great aim will be to live Christ” (Phil. 1:21).

Work in Devon, England

Susan and her husband, Thomas (Pugsley), observed, and learned from Chapman's gospel labor among the poor in London. On returning to Devon, they began a similar work, which began to flourish. A year later Thomas Pugsley resigned his profession in favor of serving the Lord full time. The following year the Pugsleys met an enthusiastic young German believer named George Muller whom they invited to preach.

In the Summer of 1831, they invited Robert to vacation with them and help with the evangelistic work. Chapman preached at the cottage meetings and found the labor exhilarating. After his visit Chapman received an invitation to become pastor of Ebenezer Chapel - a congregation of "Particular Baptists" in Barnstaple, Devon. Feeling this to be the Lord's leading, he accepted, one the grounds he could preach whatever he found in the Bible.

So, in April 1832, Chapman left his successful practice in London, gave away his personal fortune(keeping only enough to purchase a house) and moved to Barnstaple. There Chapman ministered according to the Scriptures, and was not confined to denominational practices. This lead the congregation away from its Baptist principles. Soon the Barnstaple congregation was associated with the growing number of "assemblies" - gatherings of believers who forsook all designations to meet as brothers gathered in the Lord's name.

That same year, in the nearby city of Bristol, George Mueller began to meet with six others "at Bethesda Chapel, ...uniting in church fellowship, without any rules, desiring to act only as the Lord should be pleased to give light through His Word."(Pickering p. 70).

Hospitality House

Chapman felt there was a need for a place that could provide rest and encouragement to discouraged Christian workers. For this purpose a row-house was purchased at #6 New Buildings Street, where he lived alone for the next 70 years (he never married). Over time, the address became known to Christian workers the world over as the place where Robert Chapman ministered to their spiritual and physical needs. He cleaned and shined their shoes nightly, shared a Bible verse each morning, and ministered at meals. And conducted this work of faith depending on the Lord for funds to cover the expenses of the servants who took hospitality there. Later the adjoining house, #8 was purchased for additional hospitality.

The Labor of Love

For evangelism, Chapman visited door to door, contacted individuals on the street, preached the gospel in the open air at the town square and in the surrounding villages. He brought in a weekly celebration of the Lord's Table, where all believers were encouraged to participate, and denied the clergy/laity system, striving to practice the priesthood of all believers in the most practical of ways. Chapman stressed the importance of believer's baptism. However, he did not make baptism a requirement for church membership nor for participation in the Lord's Supper. Burdened there were not enough hymns lead one through the cross of Christ and God Himself, he set out to develop a new collection of such hymns. By 1837 he had written enough to publish a new hymn-book. With regard to the segregation of believers, he was opposed to denominational distinctions. To him, they were all "Christian brethren." In Choice Sayings, a compilation of Robert Chapman's quotes, we read: "The titles given to the Church in Scripture bespeak heavenly unity, such as the body, the vine, the temple of God, a holy nation, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. Such words set forth the Church of God as a witness for Him in the world; but the names which have been invented by men are names of sects, and declare our shame."

Increase & Fruit

Attracted by Chapman's emphasis on the Bible and the example of his Christian life, new people began meeting at Ebenezer Chapel. William Bowden, aged 20 was saved through Chapman. Another young brother, George Beer, also about 20 was an uneducated man having been apprenticed to a farmer as a boy. Chapman encouraged both brothers to participate in the open air preaching. Bowden and Beer worked together, preaching the gospel and evangelizing the surrounding villages. When Anthony Norris Groves returned from India to seek more workers for the gospel. Chapman encouraged Bowden & Beer, together with their wives to join Groves' labor. They settled in the Godavari Delta of India and began a strong Christian work.

Relinquishing the Hall

In 1838 a group of Baptists who had left Ebenezer Chapel demanded that Chapman's group vacate the building because they were not using it in accordance with the original intention of the Particular Baptists. Robert Chapman examined the original trust document and found that no provisions were being violated. But as the opposing group persisted in their demand, even though Chapman was a trained lawyer, he did not stand on his legal rights. He sought only to live Christ. After prayer and fellowship, Chapman's group handed over the title deed, giving up their building - their legal claim - to the group of dissidents. Chapman saw this action as equivalent to giving up one's coat to those who ask for it.

About 1840 a site became available for an assembly hall. The lot was purchased and construction of Bear Street Chapel (later called Grosvenor St. Chapel) was completed by 1842. It could seat 450 people. In 1851 300 people attended Lord's Day morning, plus 100 children in the Sunday School. The Lord's table meeting in the evening was attended by 150. By 1870, Chapman preached regularly to 700 people every Lord's day. Since Barnstaple was a small town, a gathering of that size represented a significant percentage of the population. At the end of Chapman's life there were eighty assemblies in the towns and villages surrounding Barnstaple.

Robert Chapman's Coworkers

Elizabeth ("Bessie") Paget

Miss Bessie Paget had a profound influence on Anthony Norris Groves and George Mueller, as well as Robert Chapman. In the 1820's Elizabeth Paget raised up a church in the village of Poltimore. By the 1830's she moved to Barnstaple, residing at #9 New Buildings St. There she opened her home and lead the Sunday School work. Bessie also set up a soup kitchen for the poor out of her home, and was Chapman's constant helper until she passed away in 1863 aged 80. In life, sister Paget and Robert Chapman were co-laborers in the Lord's service; in death they shared the same funeral plot and gravestone.

William Hake

William Hake was 7 years older than Chapman and had a large family. Chapman was single. However, as Chapman wrote, "Our hearts were presently knit together in the fellowship of the Spirit ... Each found in the other a lover of the Scriptures, and bent upon obedience to the Lord without reserve." For years the Hake family resided in Exeter (40 miles away in S Devon.) In the 1840's Hake moved to Bideford, only 10 miles from Barnstaple. When Bessie Paget died, the Hakes moved into #9 New Buildings St. Hake and Chapman systematically visited the homes of Barnstaple, beginning at the southern edge and working their way to the north side, distributing gospel tracts and visiting homes. William Hake continued his visitation ministry until he was 95. The towns-people referred to the two elderly brothers as "the patriarchs". They must have presented a striking scene - two white-haired brothers: William Hake, tall and slim; Robert Chapman, shorter and stocky, visiting the homes from door to door to share the gospel and minister Christ!

William Hake died peacefully in 1890 at the age of 95. Robert Chapman was greatly grieved by his coworkers death. He wrote: "Though so sorely bereaved, I am strengthened and guided to carry on the service in which I once had my beloved yoke-fellow to bear burdens with me. 'The night is far spent, the day is at hand.'" He edited a volume of Hake's letters and writings entitled: Seventy Years of Pilgrimage.

Robert Gribble

Robert Gribble was born into a poor family and received a minimal education. He supported his family through a drapery (cloth) business. He was awakened spiritually about 1815 and began settling up Sunday Schools in villages around Barnstaple. After one year about 300 children were attending. Parents asked Gribble to speak to adults on Sunday evenings. His ability increased and several house churches or cottage meetings were raised up through his preaching. Robert Gribble's strategy of gospel labor was to stay in a village for a period of time, preaching the gospel and raising up the new believers, typically 20 to 100 and then moved on.

John Nelson Darby remarked to Wigram concerning Gribble: "How is it Wigram, that although you and I preach the gospel more clearly than many, we see so few results, yet they tell us, that in N. Devon, this Mr. Gribble in his meetings, only repeats a few Gospel texts and makes a few simple remarks, and souls are saved and assemblies formed." (Rowdon, p.252-3)

Relationship with Hudson Taylor

In 1852 when 20-year old James Hudson Taylor was burdened for China, he eagerly sought the advice of Robert Chapman. Later Chapman encouraged him to start the China Inland Mission and became one of its first "referees"- supporters and advisors. Hudson Taylor visited Chapman several times in Barnstaple. One invitation reads: "My dear brother Taylor. Consider our claim on you. We desire to fellowship with you in your work. Oh! Come and speak to us your brethren here. Say when you can come." (Peterson, p.159)

To a sister about to visit China Chapman wrote: "I cannot but rejoice with you in your resolve to see fellow-laborers in China. They all, with dear Brother Hudson Taylor, have been ever in my heart at the throne of grace." He interceded daily for that work in China until the end of his life.

George Mueller

One writer says: Chapman "was one of George Mueller's oldest and most intimate friends. More than once, in critical periods of this work [among orphans], Mr. Mueller sought and obtained his valuable counsel." (Peterson, p. 163) George Mueller's published diary masks the identity of individuals. However, it is likely that Chapman is Brother 'C----n' who spent more than 2 months at Bristol in late 1835. (Rowdon p. 146).

Dealing with Division

Differences existed in the practices and views of various Brethren assemblies. Barnstaple & Bristol (where George Mueller ministered) the fellowships had a recognized eldership. Assemblies in which Darby was influential did not have a formally identified leadership. Furthermore, John N. Darby believed that God had rejected organized denominations and began asserting that Christians should separate themselves from such organizations. Chapman, Groves, Craik, Mueller and quite a few other leaders did not share Darby's views. Many of the so called “Plymouth Brethren,” assemblies, including most of those from the original Dublin group believed that unity required a strong interdependence. Chapman, Mueller and others held that no assembly or group of assemblies should dictate the actions of any other. Each assembly was responsible to Christ alone and could interact freely with any believer or group that was sound on fundamental issues o the faith.

A leader in Barnstaple was once accused of teaching an unscriptural doctrine similar. Chapman's written reply emphasizes the believer's responsibility to judge himself rather than other brothers. Chapman wrote: "Oh, that we, yea all saints, might be moved each one to prove himself before God ... Our answer to your enquiry is, first, that if anyone seeks our fellowship here after having listened to such teaching, whether he come from one party or the other (we hold both parties alike dear to us as our fellow-members in Christ our Head), such an one must be judged according to the Word of God and the rule of Christ. Cases differing should not be confounded. If anyone brings an evil doctrine ... his welfare and his healing would be sought by brethren here ... but to fellowship he would not be received ... Then as to the particular case you mentioned, we have exercised godly jealousy and find that the evil doctrine is not held by the brother you name ... May we and all saints cease to grieve the Spirit of God ... Shall we not then have the joy of seeing the self-judged flowing together from all quarters."

Chapman's Attitude

Concerning Serving

"The servant of the Lord Jesus ... seeing that he is to be continually ministering to others, he must be receiving fresh supplies from the God of all grace through all channels. Meditation on the Word and prayer should occupy the chief part of his time." (Peterson, p. 145).

Concerning Spiritual Growth

"There are so many people who are satisfied with just knowing they are saved. Tell them not to be satisfied with this. I want them to study the word and grow in the knowledge of God. Tell them I want them to become intimate with the Lord Jesus Christ."

Concerning the Rapture

"Chapman, together with George Mueller and a small group of leaders among the Brethren, did not believe the Scriptures told of a secret rapture of all believers before a period of great tribulation on earth. They believed that the church as a whole must go through the period of tribulation." (Peterson, p. 171)

William Hake, Chapman's coworker, did not agree with Chapman's views. When Hake referred to the Lord's coming at any moment to rapture all the believers, Chapman replied, "Well, brother Hake, I am ready, but it's not in the Bible." It is worth noting that different understandings of the Scriptures did not hinder Hake and Chapman from cooperating in the Lord's service.

One writer says, "Mr. Chapman firmly held there would be a selection" (referred to as a 'split' or 'partial rapture') "of those walking faithfully, and that he ... so sought to walk in obedience to the whole revealed will of God that he might not shut himself out of the honor of being one of these, and that he failed to see from other Scriptures any promise held out to the whole of the people of God being removed from the earth at the Lord's coming." (Peterson p. 171)

How he dealt with and handled these specific personal views of Scripture were, and still are, admirable qualities. For instance: Other elders at Barnstaple held and taught separate views concerning the rapture. Robert Chapman valued harmony among the believers in Barnstaple above that of his own understanding of minor issues of Scripture. "In 1896 93-year-old Chapman called a meeting of the elders. 'I have called you together,' he said, 'to explain that I shall not create dissension by teaching the opposite view [concerning the rapture] in the Assembly." (Peterson p. 172)

Concerning Loving the Brothers

"On one occasion an excluded man became bitter and vowed never to speak a word to Chapman again. Later the two found themselves approaching one another on the street ... Chapman embraced him and said, 'Dear brother, God loves you, Christ loves you, and I love you.' This action broke the man's animosity; he repented and was soon breaking bread at Bear St. Chapel." (Peterson p. 174)

Chapman's Goal - to Please Christ!

"My chief desire is to please Him. If I please my brethren, I am glad. If I fail, I am not disappointed." (Peterson, p. 189)

A Hymn by R. C. Chapman

Jesus in His heav’nly glory,
Sits upon the throne,
Now no more to be forsaken,
His humiliation gone.

Never more shall God Jehovah,
Smite the Shepherd with the sword,
Ne’er again shall cruel sinners,
Set at nought our glorious Lord.

Dwelling in eternal sunshine,
Of the countenance of God,
Jesus fills all heav’n with incense,
Of His reconciling love.

On His heart our names are graven,
On His shoulders we are borne,
Of our God beloved in Jesus,
We can love Him in return.

Bibliography:

Robert Cleaver Chapman of Barnstaple, Bennet, W. H.. Pickering & Inglis, London, 1902.
Chief Men Among the Brethren, by Pickering, Henry. Loizeaux Brothers Inc., Neptune, NJ 1986 (1st printing 1918).
Robert Chapman, A Biography, Peterson, Robert L. Loizeaux Brothers Inc., Neptune, NJ 1995.
The Origins of the Brethren, by Rowden, Harold H. Pickering and Inglis, London, 1967.
Anthony Norris Groves, by Lang G. H. (2nd edition; London, The Paternoster Press, 1949). Third Edition, Schoettle Publishing Co. Inc., 1988. Phone 706-896-3333.
Also available on the used book market: Chapman, Robert Cleaver - Brother Indeed - by Frank Holmes.

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