living, there is one which stands pre-eminent-that is, the Christian. If consistent with his principles, he is lovely in life, and lovely in death. His character is a fine and beautiful epistle "known" at once as the impress of God," and read of all men;" by the good, with pleasure--by the wicked, with admiration and respect; while, in death, there is generally a softened splendour around him, and a holy triumph in his soul, which, while it strengthens the faith of the righteous, and cannot but excite the envy of the ungodly, proclaims that he is entering the vestibule of heaven. To record, then, the character and end of such an individual, is the pleasing task which is allotted to the writer; yet, delightful as it is to pay this tribute of respect to the memory of one who was dear to him as a brother, the writer feels that, in giving to the public a faithful and unbiassed memoir of his tried and early friend, he has to accomplish a work of considerable difficulty. But he will endeavour to do it as impartially as possible; and should it be thought, by any of your readers, that it is coloured too highly, or that too much has been made of the excellencies of his character, he entreats pardon of their charity for the error of his heart; and if, on the other hand, it may be thought, by his friends, that justice has not been done to his inestimable worth, and that too little has been said of the loveliness of his disposition, and the consistency of his life, he hopes they will pardon the error of his judgment. He has not to record the efforts of genius, nor the splendid achievements of a powerful mind; but he has to pourtray, what is to him a far more pleasing picture,the virtues of one who, "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation," maintained, for a num 66 ber of years, "a life unspotted from the world," and whose path was indeed like the sun of heaven, shining more and more until the perfect day." Thinking, therefore, that such an example cannot but be productive of interest and profit, and since the righteous are to be had in everlasting remembrance,” this short memorial of departed worth is submitted to the public. Thomas Salmon, the subject of this memoir, was born July 5th, 1758, at Shaw, in Cumberland, a few miles from Broughton, a market-town ten miles north of Ulverstone. The advantages of his childhood were extremely small. He has frequently been heard to say that he never went to school for more than two weeks; not that he was idly inclined, or averse to instruction, but it was owing to the circumstances in which he was placed. At twelve years of age, he was apprenticed to a Mr. Dawson, tailor, residing at Broughton, and who, fortunately for the boy, was religiously disposed, and had a taste for evangelical preaching; for, perceiving that the ministry at his own parish church was not in strict accordance with the faithful exhibition of gospel truth, he was in the habit of walking, on the Sabbath-day, to Ulverstone, a distance of ten miles, to hear such ministers as came there occasionally to preach the gospel, before the present Independent chapel was built. T. S., the apprentice, from the encouragement of his master, as well as from his own inclination, frequently accompanied him across the intervening hills and moors to hear those excellent men, who at that time preached at Ulverstone in hired factories and barns. Notwithstanding such local disadvantages, he soon became enamoured of the doctrines of the cross, hearing and receiving them, "not in word only, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power," and finding, experimentally, the gospel of the grace of God to be a savour of spiritual life, peace, and joy to his soul. Nor did he lose the relish all his days. At the expiration of his apprenticeship, he came to reside at Ulverstone; and it appears that, shortly after his arrival, he was appointed clerk of the newly-erected meeting-house, which was opened July 8th, 1778. And as the circumstances of this chapel, on account of its insulated situation and distance from London, are not generally known, and as its interests are in a manner identified with the individual before us, the writer will perhaps be pardoned for the introduction of a list of its ministers to the present time. The services on the occasion of its opening were performed by the Rev. Messrs. G. Burder, then of Lancaster, Gibbons, and Collins. Mr. Burder preached from Ps. cxxxvi, 1: "O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endureth for ever;" Mr. Gibbons, from Matt. xvi. 18: "6 Upon this rock I will build my church;" Mr. Collins, from 1 Cor. iii. 11: "Other foundation can no man lay," &c. After the dedication of the building to the worship of Jehovah, it was supplied by the Rev. Messrs. Burder, Alliot, and Philips, for the space of two years; when Mr. Gibbons accepted an invitation from the people to become their pastor, and was ordained July 5th, 1780. Mr. Philips, of Ellswick, gave the charge, from Rev. ii. 10: "Be thou faithful unto death," &c.; and Mr. G. Burder preached to the people from Heb. xiii. 17. Mr. Gibbons's ministerial labours terminated Sept. 18th, 1785, and he died Dec. 11th the same year. After his decease, the congregation was supplied by different ministers until Nov. 18th, 1786, when a Mr. Ellis, from Wales, became the pastor. He, however, left on May 24th, 1791, and was succeeded by a Mr. Williams, also from the principality, May 20th, 1792, who left in July, 1794. He was succeeded by Mr. Atkins, on Oct. 11th, 1794, who was ordained June 3rd, 1795, but left Ulverstone Oct. 12th, 1801, becoming subsequently, I believe, classical tutor at the old College, Hoxton. They were then supplied by Mr. Collins, from Kendal, who continued with them until his death, which took place Jan. 7th, 1805. Mr. Collins was succeeded by Mr. Barber, who left after having been with them for three years; and who was followed by J. Davies, Sept. 12th, 1809, who, through the patience and tender mercies of the great Shepherd of the flock, has continued his labours to the present time. In the subject of this memoir he at all times found a steady, sympathising friend, and diligent assistant, faithfully discharging the duties of his office as deacon of the church. It is, From several letters, found amongst his papers, it appears that a very intimate friendship and correspondence early commenced between Thomas Salmon and Thomas Bond, then clerk of the Independent meeting at Lancaster. however, much to be regretted, that the letters of Mr. Salmon are not to be found, as they would no doubt have furnished us with the most faithful transcript of his mind and character; for there is nothing, perhaps, which so much discovers. the man, as the epistles of friendship-when the soul unbosoms itself, and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," The introduction of one letter from Mr. Bond may serve to show their mutual confidence and regard for each other. It is evidently in reply to expressed diffidence, and a deep sense of the importance of the office which T. S. had undertaken. It is as follows: "Lancaster, April 6th, 1779. "DEAR BROTHER,-I humbly beg your pardon for my long neglect in not writing to you, having no apology whatever to make. I cordially congratulate you, and humbly pray to Almighty God that he will help and comfort you, with his power, and fear-rehis power, and fear-removing grace, in your new office. I can easily believe you have many discouraging and distressing thoughts. I sympathise with you. Nor do I know of any thing, but a persuasion of the favour, and love, and grace of Jesus, that can remove "the fear of man which bringeth a snare." Suffer a word of advice from your unworthy brother. When you stand up to praise, lift up your heart to Jesus our helper. He will be as good as his word he will be with you. But, perhaps, all this is very unnecessary advice to you. Well, if it be, be thankful to God. But as face answereth to face in water, so does the heart of man to man. For my own part, I do assure you I need much of the divine presence, for without Jesus I can do nothing. I think I hear you saying, Nor I neither.' Let us, then, bless God for this knowledge of our infirmities, and also of our great and sure help, which is in Jesus. "From your unworthy brother in the Lord, 66 THOMAS BOND." Such a specimen of their epistolary correspondence, though simple, is pleasing, as serving to display the operations of grace upon the hearts of both, and their mutual sympathy with each other in the respective offices in which they were placed. Nor was it possible for any one to discharge more faithfully the various duties which necessarily devolved upon him, as the clerk and deacon of the chapel, than Thomas Salmon. Never was he known to shrink from the performance of any task, however irksome or laborious, which the nature of his office required of him. Early and late he was found at his post; sustaining, by the activity of his exertions, and the fervency of his prayers, the hands of the minister, thus enabling him to press forward amidst those numerous discouragements, which it is the lot, more or less, of every servant of Christ to have to encounter. And often, too, amidst the darkness and coldness of a winter's morning, while others have been indulging in their beds, has T. S. taken his lanthorn, and gone to the chapel to prepare a fire in the vestry for the comfort of the Sunday-scholars who were usually taught there. Nor was this performed as a drudgery, but with all that alacrity and cheerfulness which peculiarly characterised him, both in his conversation with the world, and in his deportment as a Christian. In every thing that he said and did, it might truly be said of him, that he was an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile." Nor can there, perhaps, be a more striking proof of the sterling excellence of his character, than what is furnished by the fact, that oftentimes when persons, who were known to be destitute of every semblance of religion, have been railing against its professors, and condemning them in toto as nothing but hypocrites, they have all agreed that there was one exception to these sweeping clauses, and that exception was Thomas Salmon. Nor was this opinion gained by that species of trimming so common with many who make a profession of religion in the present day, and who, by a partial conformity to the maxims of the world, may hope to enjoy the benefits of the service both of God and of mammon. His mind was cast in a nobler mould. He valued his principles too highly to harter them for the smiles and approbation of the worldling. Nor had he need to purchase them at such a price; for the great esteem in which his character was universally held, even by the irreligious and profane, was gained by the uniform integrity of his conduct, by the unruffled sweetness of his temper, and by the unflinching firmness with which he maintained the honour of his Lord and Master. Therefore the sentiment referred to above was not the expression of triumph over sinful compliance, or unworthy vacillation, but a sentiment extorted by the genuineness of Christianity: "His light so shining before men, that they could not but glorify his Father who is in heaven." Such a testimony, from such a quarter, is a higher eulogium than any which the tongue of friendship could utter not that we would for a moment contend for that perfection of character, that freedom from the shadow of a spot, which no one but the Redeemer himself has ever possessed; but surely, if ever there was an individual who " adorned the doctrines of God our Saviour in all things," and whose life was a mirror of the beauty of religion, I am perfectly justified in saying, that "This was the man." In proof of this, I shall take the liberty of transcribing a paragraph from a provincial paper, written by a fellow-townsman, and inserted at the time of his death, speaking, I believe, the sentiments of the whole town. It is as follows: During the last ten years of his life, he performed (as the strength of the minister was not equal to it) the whole of the afternoon service, without any remuneration; and, in the absence of ministers, he was always a very acceptable supply. In doctrine he was uncorrupt: a decided Calvinist in his sentiments, exhibiting, in the whole of his deportments, their practical efficacy. Averse to dispute about words to no profit, his concern was to "give all diligence, to make his calling and election sure." He was highly gifted in prayer; and, whether he led the devotions in the family, or in the sanctuary, his petitions were distinguished for their fervour and their rich variety. On such occasions, there was always about him an impassioned earnestness of manner, which bespoke the sweet communion of his soul with God, and which seldom failed to communicate to his fellow-worshippers a portion of his own intensity of feeling. Prayer was indeed his element-the delight of his soul; and he was happiest when engaged in it. Nor, amidst the varied duties of the sanctuary, was his lawful occupation by any means forgotten; for, while he was "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord," his " diligence in business" was known unto all. Often, till just the time of the weekly service, on the Tuesday evening, the writer has seen him actively engaged in the pursuance of his occupation, going from one place to another; yet, coming as he did directly from the world, the devotion almost of a seraph appeared in his exercise of praise. But his worth it is impossible to tell. The pen of friendship fails, unequal to the task: to do justice to his character, it must. be dipped in hues more bright than earth affords. Perhaps the best "On Monday, the 26th ultimo, died, Mr. Thomas Salmon, of Ulverstone, aged sixty-nine. Seldom does it fall to our lot to record the death of so worthy a character as Mr. Salmon. He was forty-nine years clerk of the Independent meeting-house in that town, in which capacity he was never' weary in well doing,' himself affording an exemplary character to all around him. To The Amicable Friendly Society' in Ulverstone he was the good and faithful steward, almost from its establishment, in the year 1792; and such was the high esteem in which he was held by the members, that a subscription was a short time ago entered into, for the purpose of having his portrait painted, to be placed in the club-room, where it now reinains, and will often bring to remembrance the genuine worth of the venerable original. But he is gone, and his services are past! Yet it is trusted that, at the last day, when he will appear to give an account of his stewardship, he will not be found wanting." description that can be given of him is to say, that "He lived the -From the Kendal Advertiser, June 7, 1828, gospel." The closing scenes of his existence were worthy of such a life. The writer could have wished that he had been able to furnish a more detailed and explicit account of the dying expressions of this estimable man; but the limits of the present memoir, as well as the numerous engagements of the minister (which prevented his being with him as much as he could have desired), compel him to be brief, and must be his apology for its conciseness. A few weeks previous to his death, he had a slight stroke of paralysis, which deprived him for a short time of speech. Being assisted up stairs by his son and daughter, he immediately went on his knees, and, while breathing an inward prayer, his speech returned; and never was he known to be more copious and fervent. After this, it was evident that his constitution had received a fatal shock, and that the earthly tabernacle was crumbling. The closing scenes of his affliction may be inferred from his life. No airy flights, but " peace and joy in the Holy Ghost," arising from an unwavering reliance on the all-sufficient merits of his Saviour, and from the sweet assurance of his personal interest in the blessings of his redemption. His soul shone brightly in the graces of the Spirit, as it set upon the scenes of earth, to rise and shine upon a brighter world. Had an infidel been there, his creed must have suffered-to have seen the composure with which the Christian can die, and with which, committing his soul to God, he looks forward, "with a sure and certain hope, to a glorious resurrection." The writer, and a few other friends, were at his bedside about a quarter of an hour before his death. One of us engaged in prayer, in which he fervently joined. He then expressed a wish to be raised up in bed. This was done; when, in a few words, he uttered his last prayer, saying, "May the Lord God Almighty take us all to his holy keeping in time and eternity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." The feelings of the church, and of its minister, at his loss, may be more easily imagined than described. From one and all, the exclamation seemed to arise, "My father, my father!-the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof!" It consoled them, however, to think, that their loss was his eternal gain. His funeral was numerously and respectably attended; and, on the following Sabbath evening, the minister of the place improved his death to a numerous and attentive auditory. Such is a brief memoir of this faithful servant of God. In the hearts of numerous friends, his memory will long be enshrined, and their recollection of him will be sweet. May his children emulate his bright example, and endeavour to tread in his steps. His eldest son has succeeded him as clerk, May the mantle of his father, with a double portion of his spirit, rest upon him; and may it be the happy lot of the writer, after having finished his work on the earth, to meet with his tried and faithful friend in heaven! Ulverstone. JOSEPH DAVIES. A BURNING HEART. Ir happened, one evening in the spring of 1816, that the ordination of a Missionary was solemnized in an ancient market town. The congregation that assembled to witness the novel scene was very large, and much affected, One gentleman who |