68 MEETING, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20. 



The President remarked that before proceeding to the 

 regular communication of the evening it seemed highly 

 appropriate that a tribute of respect be paid to the mem- 

 ory of a son of Salem, Rev. Samuel Johnson, who has 

 long been known for his literary and philosophical writ- 

 ings, and whose brilliant career in the fields of study and 

 research closed in death last evening at his residence in 

 And over. 



The President called on Rev. E. B. WILLSON, who spoke 

 of the life and services of Mr. Johnson, his eloquence in 

 the pulpit, and the purity of his character and motives, 

 relating incidents of his early life and ministry, and the 

 impression his serious earnestness made upon those with 

 whom he came in contact. He referred to the value of 

 his work on Oriental Religions, and the very faithful 

 labor expended upon its preparation, the volumes appear- 

 ing at wide intervals of time, and only after the most con- 

 scientious and exhaustive preparation. Mr. Willson ex- 

 pressed regret that the work was left unfinished, and 

 concluded by relating the following incident of Mr. John- 

 son's ministry, illustrative of the high appreciation of his 

 character by the Rev. Dr. Flint. Dr. Flint, it seems, from 

 time to time, asked Mr. Johnson to preach in his pulpit. 

 The preaching never failed to call forth remonstrances 

 from some of the doctor's parishioners against his inviting 

 one of such unconventional sentiments to speak in his place. 

 In each instance Dr. Flint would answer the complainant 

 with some kind and appreciative words for the offending 

 young man, and express full confidence that he would 

 outgrow his erroneous views. The parishioner, thinking 

 that his counsel had taken effect and that his pastor had 

 been sufficiently warned against a repetition of his indis- 

 cretion, would be surprised to find afterwards by another 

 appearance of Mr. Johnson in the East Church pulpit, 



