ELDER JOHN CHAMBERS

 

   John Chambers was born in Shelbyville, Ky., June 5, 1800. At the age of nine years he came with his parents to Indiana, where they located on White River, Jefferson County. He resided with his parents, and assisted in clearing up and cultivating the farm until about twenty-four years of age when he was married, and, purchasing land, opened up a farm for himself.

   He professed faith in the Savior, was baptized by Elder Thomas Hill, Jr., and united with White River Church March 3, 1834. From the first he was an exemplary Christian, and had the entire confidence of his brethren in the church, which he retained through life. He was licensed to preach at White River in 1841, and ordained in 1842. From that time he devoted all his time to the ministry, except so much as was absolutely necessary to provide a living for his family, but little compensation ever being received for pastoral services. His ministerial labors were principally in the bounds of Coffee Creek Association, tough many times they extended into those of Madison, Brownstown and Bethel.

   Elder Chambers was not a brilliant preacher, but was a man of good intellect, and his sermons were practical and earnest, coming from the heart and reaching the hearts of his hearers. He was sound in doctrine, was a safe counselor and ever a beloved pastor. A pastorate of more than twenty-five years at his home church, of seventeen years at New Bethel, and many years at other points, proves with what love and esteem he was held by his brethren. His moral standing and integrity were also appreciated by the community, as evidenced by his being chosen to serve many times as Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee, County Commissioner, County Treasurer and member of the State Legislature. While filling these civil offices, however, he never lost sight of the fact that he was an Embassador for Christ, which he considered the highest calling conferred on man.

   Soon after the adjournment of the forty-eighth session of the Association, in 1874--of which he was Moderator, and which position he before several times filled--Elder Chambers was stricken with paralysis, and was a great sufferer from that time until called home, a period of nearly eight years. For a number of months before death he was a helpless as an infant. His only anxiety expressed, when concious was the summons might come and he be at rest. He died the 5th of August, 1882, aged eighty-two years and two months. He had resided in Jefferson County seventy-three years, was a member of White River Church forty-eight years, and a minister forty-one years.

  Brother Chambers left no family. He had been twice married, but both wives preceded him to the grave. His only child, a daughter of his first wife, died in early girlhood.


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