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

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES

ON THE

SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

OF PASTORATE OF

REV. JOHN CHAMBERS, D.D.

OVER ONE CONGREGATION

MAY 9TH TO 14TH, 1875

    Sabbath Day, May 9th, 10? A.M.—Anniversary Sermon—Rev. John Chambers, D.D.

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    Service 4 P.M., Sermon, Rev. T. J. Sheppard, D.D.

    Service 7? P.M., Sermon, Rev. Wm. Blackwood, D.D.

    Monday Evening, May 10th, Services 7?.—Reminiscences of Early Days—Short addresses by Rev. Edgar Levy, D.D., Rev. Joseph Baker, Rev. John Bliss, Rev. Thomas J. Brown, and Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, who were formerly members of the church.

    Tuesday Evening, May 11th, 1875.—Sabbath School Jubilee. Half past seven o'clock—Singing and Addresses. Half past eight o'clock—Refreshments for Scholars of Sabbath School.

    Wednesday Evening, May 12th at 7 o'clock. Social Re-union with a Festival, for Members of the Church and Congregation, at Horticultural Hall.

    Thursday Evening, May 13th, 7? o'clock. General Praise and Thanksgiving meeting—participated in by Ministers of different denominations.

    Friday Evening, May 14th, 8 o'clock. The Congregational Prayer Meeting, in the body of the church.

In a sermon marked by the usual graces of delivery, Dr. Chambers, as he was then, recounted in a touching manner the wonderful goodness of God enjoyed during a half century. He was surrounded by his church officers and congregation and his young alumni in the ministry. His old friend, Rev. Dr. T. J. Sheppard, with singular grace and power, preached from the fitting text: "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither". Monday evening was devoted to epistolary communications or addresses by pastors who had formerly been members of the church, such as the Rev. Charles Brown, Rev. Dr. Levy, Rev. Joseph J. Baker, Rev. William J. Paxson, Rev. John C. Bliss, Rev. S. P. Kelley, and Rev. R. G. S. McNeille. Tuesday evening was for the participation of the Sunday School children in the jubilee service. On Wednesday evening the social reunion at Horticultural Hall took place, when besides the singing, led by Prof. William G.[143] Fisher, and appropriate words from Rev. Dr. Eva and Rev. William R. Stockton, Francis Newland, the life-long friend and elder of the church, presented in the name of the people a golden tribute in the form of one thousand dollars. One of his young men, John Wanamaker, on the eve of his departure for Europe, had the day before sent his pastor a five hundred dollar bill on the United States Treasury. The audience, numbering a thousand, after promenading and shaking hands with their beloved minister, partook of refreshments, each lady receiving a handsome memorial bouquet. On Thursday evening there was another feast of reason and flow of soul in the greetings by pastors of neighboring churches. Rev. George Dana Boardman was in the chair, and Rev. Dr. Breed, Rev. ............