Robert Chapman was only fifteen years old when he became an apprentice to a prominent attorney in London. He had all that a young man could want, except one thing, which was the most important thing in all the world.

By 1823, Robert Chapman was officially an attorney. He was twenty years old and already had achieved many of his goals. But he realized that all that the world had to offer could not satisfy the spiritual emptiness in his heart. He later wrote, “I hugged my chains. I would not—could not—hear the voice of Jesus. My cup was bitter with my guilt and the fruit of my doings. Sick was I of the world, hating it in vexation of spirit, while yet I was unable and unwilling to cast it out.”

One day, the young attorney was invited to hear James Harington Evans preach at John Street Chapel in London. On that memorable day, the heart of Robert Chapman was opened to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Chapman gave up all hope of pleasing God by his outward righteousness. He had found what he was looking for—Christ! Soon after his salvation, Chapman stood up beside Evans in the pulpit and openly confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.