Search Result
161630
Surname: Chapman (obit.,)
First Name: Rev. Robert
Ship: -
Date: 11 February 1879
Place: West Maitland
Source: Maitland Mercury
Details: The announcement of the Rev. R. Chapman s death will be received throughout the length and breadth of the diocese of Newcastle, and beyond it, with profound regret that he has passed away, that that mild and reverent face will no more be seen in the church which he loved and adorned, no more in the homes of his beloved people. It now only remains to lay before your readers some interesting particulars concerning the career of this justly beloved clergyman. We are informed that shortly after leaving school his religious tendencies led him to form a strong desire to devote himself to the work of the ministry. With this object in view he matriculated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated, until the last term, when unhappily the death of his father caused a failure in the supply of funds; and consequently he withdrew from college, and forth-with he determined to seek for an opening for his energies in the colonies. He arrived at Swan River in the year 1843 and while there he received from Judge Paten an offer or a lucrative appointment in India, accompanied by a supply of means to take him to that country. He decided not to go to India, but came on to this country returning the money and respectfully declining the appointment. His course was marked out for him by a kind and overruling Providence. He was, on his arrival, immediately brought acquainted with friends, who introduced him to that good man Bishop Broughton, for whom Mr. Chapman had the greatest esteem. It was about this time that he visited West Maitland, and made the acquaintance of Canon Stack, little thinking at that time that he would succeed that gentleman as incumbent of St. Mary s. On his return to Sydney, Bishop Broughton, recognising his missionary zeal and devotion, appointed him as assistant to the chaplain of Norfolk Island, where for about three year she spent a most useful life doing much good among the soldiers, and endearing himself to many unfortunate men who had been sent there, by that faithfulness which appears from the beginning of his life to have marked his character. After a useful career at Norfolk Island, he was summoned to Sydney by his Bishop to be ordained a deacon, for which he had been making careful preparation during the past three years. The result of his examination was not only highly successful, but the Bishop, in handing to him his letters of orders, expressed the great pleasure he had in doing so; and at the same time complimented him on the satisfactory examination which he had passed. This important event, which was the realisation of the object of his life, took place in the year 1846, which was the year of his arrival to take charge of St. Marys, in succession to the Rev. W. Stack. In looking back at the faithful labours which have just closed, it is impossible not to be struck with the high, reverent, and consistent manner in which the duties of his sacred office have been discharged. He influenced by his life; he taught by his conduct. His ministry has been marked by the most faithful devotion to his work he literally died at his work. During the thirty-three years which he has spent in Maitland he has not only not left his post to visit his native land, but he never had any lengthened holiday until sheer exhaustion compelled him to rest. His love of order and neatness made his Church both internally and externally a model; while the Parsonage grounds are laid out with such taste, and always kept with such neatness, as to make them at once a model as well as an object of admiration. His ministrations within the church were marked, as long as his strength permitted, by a calm but energetic delivery of the message he was sent to proclaim; always mingled with love; indeed there are many who will long remember him as a comforter. In the midst of their cares and anxieties, he encouraged the desponding with higher hopes, and solaced the bereaved with anticipations of that better land of which he is now an inhabitant. As a citizen he took no prominent part in party questions, but in every movement for the moral and religious welfare of the town he was always ready to bestow his time and money. The young were ever an object of his deepest interest, as in them he saw the hope and wellbeing of this his adopted country. The Rev. Mr. Chapman acted as a voluntary chaplain to the Hospital of this town, and the benefits which he conferred obtained for him the honorary distinction of a life member of that Institution. The indefatigable exertions which he made, in conjunction with the members of his church, some years ago in the erection of St. Marys, and within the past twelve months towards paying off the large debt which rested upon it, are too fresh in the memory of your readers to require further notice. Suffice it to say that it was after this last effort, which involved such a large amount of correspondence and other labours, that the disease began to manifest itself which has terminated fatally. If he had sought for earthly reward or honor, or applause, which he did not he certainly received it in the congratulations of his clerical brethren, at the consecration of St. Marys. If he had desired to leave an abiding monument of his successful labours, the noble structure of St. Marys would be more than sufficient. Happily such feelings had no place with him. He desired to see God honored in a suitable sanctuary, he rejoiced to worship with his beloved people and sing the praises of the eternal in the beauty of holiness. From the earthly to the Heavenly temple he passed away on Sunday evening, Feb. 9, at 7.15, the very time when he had for so many years entered the earthly sanctuary to worship in the midst of his people The congregation had assembled, but the bell which often had summoned them, now tolled the departure of their faithful pastor to the rest of his Divine Master.