Although this was not our first visit to Saltaire this time I paid more attention to the faith of Titus Salt, its founder, and how his faith in Christ shaped his business life, concern for the wellbeing and education of his workers and his philanthropy.

Whilst Mopeton Peto was a Baptist and David Dale a Prebyterian who became a Congegationalist, Titus Salt seems to have grown up in a Congregational household. All were driven by what has become known as “The Protestant Work Ethic”, also known as “The Calvinistic Work Ethic”.

The phrase was coined by Max Weber in 1905. To quote the entry in Wikipedia”

• 'Weber asserted that Protestant ethics and values, along with the Calvinist doctrines of asceticism and predestination, enabled the rise and spread of capitalism. Just as priests and caring professionals are deemed to have a vocation (or "calling" from God) for their work, according to the Protestant work ethic the "lowly" workman also has a noble vocation which he can fulfill through dedication to his work.'