A Congregational minister, one of the alumni of John Chambers Independent Church writes:
"I think he must have been pained when he turned his church over to the Presbyterians. Yet here was practical wisdom. At his death there was no longer room for an independent church in Philadelphia of the type of the church which he had founded. He did not lack practical wisdom."
CHAPTER XVII.
THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL AND FAREWELL.
When, like Ruth leaving her native land to dwell with Naomi—mother in love, as well as in law—John Chambers plighted his troth to the church that became orphan for his sake; he made Ruth's words his own, and in his heart said to his people: "The Lord do so to me and more also, if aught but death part thee and me."
For fifty years his one congregation was his first and only love. Deaf to all calls—and they were many—his one answer to his people was Ruth's to Naomi, and to those seeking him, the Shunammite's, "I dwell among mine own people." "How often have I heard him say," said Dr. Levy in 1875, "that though you could give him only a crust of bread and a cup of cold water, he would continue to be your pastor." Love begets love, and "unfailing confidence, tender sympathy and ardent love ... made this union enduring and fruitful of everything sweet and precious".
It was in the year 1875 that, after long preparation, the pastor's semi-centennial anniversary was celebrated. We here reproduce the programme as printed:
1825
1875