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South Molton Gospel Hall
'An Open Brethren
Assembly' |
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The new believer began to witness to friends and family. Later he wrote: "I became on offence to those I forsook, even those of my own flesh and blood" (Peterson, p. 26) Not all took his testimony as a 'savor of death'; to some it was a savor unto life'. One cousin and her husband were drawn on hearing Robert's experience. Chapman's cousin, Susan had married a wealthy lawyer, Thomas Pugsley and lived in Devon, SW England. The couple traveled to London to hear more; they studied the Bible with Robert. The Pugsley's accepted Christ. Chapman also began to visit and preach among the poor who lived in the neighborhood.
After his first efforts to minister, some friends remarked that Robert would never make a good preacher. Chapman's reply was to characterize his life. He said: "There are many who preach Christ, but not so many who live Christ; my great aim will be to live Christ (Phil. 1:21)" If Romans 1:17, 'The just shall live by faith' is Luther's verse, then this Scripture - Philippians 1:21, '...for to me to live is Christ' is Robert Chapman's verse.
Chapman's relative, Susan and her husband, Thomas observed Chapman's gospel labor among the poor in London. On returning to Devon, they began a similar work at the workhouses for the poor. Their service grew and soon Thomas Pugsley gave up his profession to serve the Lord in the area. The following year the Pugsleys met an enthusiastic young German believer named George Mueller whom they invited to preach. In the Summer of 1831, the Pugsley's invited Robert Chapman 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. He felt this was the Lord's leading and accepted if he could preach whatever he found in the Bible. In April 1832, Chapman left his successful law practice in London, gave away his personal fortune (keeping only enough to purchase a house) and moved to Barnstaple. Chapman ministered according to the Scriptures and was not confined to denominational practices . This lead the congregation away from its Baptist principles. The local Baptist "Book of Remembrance" records that Chapman's "settlement eventually introduced a new order of things which separated the church from the [Baptist] Association and the [Baptist] body at large." (Rowdon, p. 145) 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. In that same year, August 1832 in the nearby city of Bristol, George Mueller began to meet with six others "at Bethesda Chapel, Mr Mueller, Mr Craik, one other brother, and four sisters (only seven in all) sat down together, 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). In 1832 Barnstaple was a small, bustling market town of several thousand people. With a seaport on the Bristol channel it was an active center of trade in agricultural products. The town boasted a hospital, prison, newspaper, 2 or 3 hotels and a multitude of bars. Although there were people of considerable wealth, a great number lived in poverty. Alcohol was a great evil; there were eighty licenced houses "pubs" which could open 24/7- 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Other beer houses were even more numerous. It was the kind of town described by Charles Dickens.
Hospitality House Robert Chapman wanted a home that
could be a place of rest and encouragement for discouraged and tired
Christian workers. For this purpose Chapman bought a row-house at #6
New Buildings Street. Chapman lived at that address for the next 70
years (he never married). Many Christian workers stayed there for
short or long periods, while 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. He
conducted this as a work of faith - depending on the Lord for funds
to cover the expenses of the Lord's servants who took hospitality
there. Later the adjoining house, #8 was purchased for additional
hospitality. |
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