was rather that of an assistant than a colleague to their other minister; for at that time a distinction generally prevailed, which is now disregarded; the elder of the two ministers, or rather he whose residence with the congregation had been of the longest continuance, was considered as their pastor, and a larger salary was annexed to his office; the other was regarded as in a subordinate station, and his services, though probably of a more laborious nature, were less amply remunerated. Such petty and ill-judged distinction suited not the liberal mind of Mr. Walker, though, while the inferior station was the lot assigned him, it became him not to object. But at a subsequent period, when a similar distinction would have been kept up in his favour, he requested, that no such difference might obtain; for, he observed, every man was worthy of his hire; as joint labourers in the vineyard both were entitled to an equal recompense; both were the fellow servants of the congregation, engaged

in the same design, pursuing the same end, and in their offices and duties alike.

However desirable upon the whole it might be to him to leave Durham, yet it must have been with some regret, that he quitted a situation, which many circumstances would still continue to render interesting to him. His character had by this time become thoroughly known and respected; but very lately he had been complimented by the corporation with the freedom of the city; he had formed many particular intimacies and friendships, which so distant a removal might probably dissolve for ever; he was abandoning the neighbourhood of his family and relations; the pulpit that he was about to relinquish had been the first to receive him as a minister, and his mind was still more strongly attached to it by the recollection of the many years, that his uncle had previously filled it; Durham was the scene of many of his infantile amusements, and was endeared to him by the recollection of many

juvenile

juvenile attachments; on this occasion therefore scarcely could he quit it for ever, without casting a longing lingering look behind. It is probable, however, that Mr. Walker accepted this invitation with the more pleasure, as it brought him into the neighbourhood of a gentleman, with whom in early life he had contracted the strictest friendship, a friendship that was afterward continued on both sides with that reciprocal affection and esteem, which arise from a similarity of tastes, of habits, and of opinions. This gentleman was Dr. John Manning, who had for some time been settled as a physician at Norwich. Their acquaintance originally commenced at Kendal, was, afterward renewed as fellow-students at Edinburgh, and upon Mr. Walker's removal to Glasgow was kept up by a regular correspondence and occasional interchange of visits.

When the Doctor heard of Mr. Walker's intention of removing to Yarmouth, he wrote to him in terms expressive of the strongest attachment, and of the sincere pleasure with e 3

which

which he anticipated the renewal of their former intimacy. "It is with a happiness," says he, "that you can better imagine than "I can describe, that I heard of your reso"lution to preach at Yarmouth; I have never once entertained a surmise, that your friendship for me was abated, and I can "assure you, that mine remains the same "as you formerly knew it. I have often "spoke of it to my old and my new friends, "for I always consider, that I draw honour "from the relation of our former intimacy, "for we were not associates in debauchery, George, but in wholesome studies and "innocent recreations."

Mr. Walker had not been long settled at Yarmouth, before he received an invitation from the congregation at Coventry. This was the second application, that had been made to him from that quarter; and in the year 1755 he was preparing to visit them, in compliance with their request, when he was rather unhandsomely superseded on their part by some favourite minister, who in

the

the interim had rendered himself the object of their choice. Whether it were from a resentment of their former treatment, or the pleasantness of his present situation, certain it is that he declined the offer, though the salary exceeded by one third what he was then receiving.

About this time he experienced a great misfortune in the death of his uncle, who after a short and painful illness of three days expired on the 9th of November 1763, leaving behind him a character, that few have equalled, perhaps none have surpassed. He was a man of the most liberal and enlightened mind, of great professional acquirements, of an excellent understanding, which he had highly cultivated by reading and reflection, of the most undeviating rectitude of life, and of a kind, generous, and friendly disposition. His attachment to his nephew was throughout uniform and constant, indeed his kindness and attention to his interests on all occasions could scarcely have been exceeded, had the tie of their relationship

e 4