SIR - The following publication, in the "Presbyterian Magazine" for the present month, embodies the substance of the remarks of the Rev. Dr. Steel, at the conclusion of a sermon preached by him from the text 1 chapter 2, epistle general of Peter 13th, 14th, and 15th verses, on Sabbath the 23rd ultimo by way of improvement of the death of the Rev. Alexander Salmon, and from a profound respect and high veneration for the memory of the deceased, whose death the Rev Dr. Steel so appropriately took opportunity to improve on the occasion referred to, I think it right the remarks in question should have a wider circulation and a greater publicity than they can have in the Magazine, and I therefore solicit the favour of your transferring to your columns the remarks which I herewith enclose. Yours, obediently, METON.

Sydney,
October 3, 1864.

The August mail brings the mournful intelligence of the death of the Rev. Alexander Salmon, so well known and deservedly esteemed in this and the neighbouring colonies as a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia in Sydney. He died on the 6th August at Alderney, one of the Channel Islands, of a species of intermittent climate fever, under which he had been gradually sinking for a month previously.

It is pleasing to his surviving relatives and friends to know, that up to the last hour his mind was clear and active - perfectly conscious of his approaching change, and entirely submissive to the will of the Divine Master, whom he had served during a long and active life, he peacefully entered into his rest.

In 1849 Mr. Salmon left a charge at Barhead, in Renfrewshire, where he was greatly beloved by his people to become pastor of the principal Free Church Presbyterian congregation in this colony, in which position his worth and ability soon gained him many friends and the regard and esteem of Christians of all denominations, with whom it was his delight to co-operate.

Failing health, mainly attributable to a partial sunstroke, received in the summer of 1854, demanded his withdrawal from his onerous charge, and in February 1860 he returned to Britain in search of health and repose. The chief portion of his time was spent at Lewes, in Sussex, where he found his health so much restored that he was enabled to conduct the services of a small Presbyterian congregation in that town for upwards of two years.

Early in the present year, partly for the sake of a change of climate, and partly to occupy a more useful position, he proceeded to Alderney, having been inducted by the Presbytery of London to a charge there, comprehending the chaplaincy to the Presbyterian troops in garrison. Here, as at Lewes, he speedily secured the warm regard of his people from whom Mrs. Salmon and he received numerous kindnesses during the brief period of their sojourn on the Island.

Extract of letter from D. J. Hamilton. - It is now more than thirty years since I made the acquaintance of the excellent Mr. Salmon, and I shall always cherish with respect and affection, the memory of one who, in many lands, and in various spheres has served his generation so well, and who, we doubt not, has now received the manifold recompense in his Divine Master's 'Well done, good and faithful servant!'

Extracts from a letter written by a gentleman at Alderney, to a friend of Mr. Salmon in Sydney: - Our much esteemed friend ceased to breathe at a quarter past nine o'clock on the 6th August. I was present on the occasion; and during the season of his five week's confinement to his sick chamber, I had frequent opportunities of seeing him: his aspirations being all heavenward, he never shed a tear - and so long as he had the ability to speak, be always added his hearty amen, whenever we read the scriptures, and offered up prayer - when not able to speak, he held up his hand, that hand which had been oft lifted up to give expression to the earnest breathings of his soul for his family and his work, and flocks in all circumstances. He retained his consciousness to the last, and truly we were constrained to say that dear Mr. Salmon's death, was not death, but a translation to glory. Shortly before his death, he said to me, "When I thought the message was come to call me away, I looked back to the past, then to the future, and, I said, I am satisfied."

Just before the day he was obliged to keep to his bed, he preached three times - twice in his own church, and in the afternoon, for the Primitive Methodists. When Mr Salmon accepted the unanimous call to the Alderney Church it was fondly hoped that he might be spared to build up the infant church where comparatively little more was required than his venerable presence and gentle work suited to his strength. He was delighted with the quiet of the little sphere of usefulness away from the bustle of his former more important fields of work.

But there was an insidious disease pronounced 'tumour' in the stomach, sapping his strength and although apparently in good health when he came to Alderney, very soon he felt severe indigestion, which prevented him taking nourishment. A milk diet was had recourse to and agreed so much better with him, it was fondly hoped that any effects of the change of climate were passing away, but the inability to take nourishment was greater than ever, and his system very rapidly became exhausted and spent - and day by day the symptoms became more alarming, until he fell asleep in Jesus. Only the day before, be attempted to express his wants by writing with a pencil, which he could not finish, although perfectly legible as far as he had proceeded.

Mr. Ryrie, who was present at his funeral, which took place on the 10th, remarked that it was a remarkable providence that Mr. Salmon should have come to Alderney to lay his body near the graves of descendants of his own lineal descent from the Huguenots. Mr. Salmon truly possessed all their fire and energy of character in the maintenance of the truth. His character was so much admired by the Alderney people that many besides his own flock attended his very solemn funeral.