,illustration ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,my ,,life4 ,,by ,,the ,,late ,,rev4 ,,egerton ,,ryerson1 ,d4,d41 ,,lld41 7,being ,reminiscences of ,sixty ,years' ,public ,service in ,canada47 ,,prepared ,,under ,,the ,,supervision ,,of ,,his ,,literary ,,trustees3 ,,the ,,rev4 ,s4,s4 ,,nelles1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d41 ,,the ,,rev4 ,,john ,,potts4 ,d4,d41 ,,and ,j4 ,,george ,,hodgins1 ,,esq41 ,,ll4,d4 ,,edited ,,by ,j4 ,,george ,,hodgins1 ,esq41 ,,ll4,d4 ,his life was gentle2 and the elements ,so mix't in him1 that ,nature might stand up1 ,and say to all the world1 ,this was a ,man6 --,shakespeare4 ,julius ,csar1 ,act v41 sc4 #e4 ,justum et tenacem propositi virum ,non civium ardor prava jubentium1 ,non vultus instantis tyranni ,mente quatit solida-- --,horace4 ,odes1 iii4 #c4 ,,with ,,portrait ,,and ,,engravings4 ,,toronto3 ,,william ,,briggs1 #gh and #hj ,,king ,,street ,,east4 #ahhd4 ,entered1 according to the ,act of the ,parliament of ,canada1 in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three1 by ,mary ,ryerson and ,charles ,egerton ,ryerson1 in the ,office of the ,minister of ,agriculture1 ,ottawa4 ,,contents4 ,page ,preface ix ,estimate of ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,character and ,labours #ag ,,chapter ,i4--#ahjc-ahbe4 ,sketch of ,early ,life #bc ,,chapter ,,ii4--#ahbd-ahbe4 ,extracts from ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,diary of #ahbd and #ahbe #cb ,,chapter ,,iii4--#ahbe-ahbf4 ,first ,year of ,ministry and ,first ,controversy #dg ,,chapter ,,iv4--#ahbf-ahbg4 ,missionary to the ,river ,credit ,indians #eh ,,chapter ,v4--#ahbf-ahbg4 ,diary of ,labours among ,indians #fd ,,chapter ,,vi4--#ahbg-ahbh4 ,labours and ,trials4--,civil ,rights ,controversy #hj ,,chapter ,,vii4--#ahbh-ahbi4 ,ryanite ,schism4--,m4 ,e4 ,church of ,canada organized #hg ,,chapter ,,viii4--#ahbi-ahcb4 ,establishment of the ,christian ,guardian4--,church ,claims resisted #ic ,,chapter ,,ix4--#ahca-ahcb4 ,methodist ,affairs in ,upper ,canada4--,proposed ,union with the ,british ,conference #ajg ,,chapter ,x4--#ahcc4 ,union between the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences #aad ,,chapter ,,xi4--#ahcc-ahcd4 ,impressions of ,england and their effects #aba ,,chapter ,,xii4--#ahcd4 ,events following the ,union4--,division and ,strife #ada ,,chapter ,,xiii4--#ahcd-ahce4 ,second ,retirement from the ,guardian ,editorship #add ,,chapter ,,xiv4--#ahce-ahcf4 ,second ,mission to ,england4--,upper ,canada ,academy #aeb ,,chapter ,,xv4--#ahce-ahcf4 ,the ,grievance ,report2 ,its ,object and ,failure #aee ,,chapter ,,xvi4--#ahcf-ahcg4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,diary of his ,second ,mission to ,england #aeh ,,chapter ,,xvii4--#ahcf4 ,publication of the ,hume and ,roebuck ,letters #afg ,,chapter ,,xviii4--#ahcf-ahcg4 ,important ,events transpiring in ,england #agj ,,chapter ,,xix4--#ahcg-ahci4 ,return to ,canada4--,the ,chapel ,property ,cases #agb ,,chapter ,,xx4--#ahcg4 ,the ,coming ,crisis4--,rebellion of #ahcg #age ,,chapter ,,xxi4--#ahcg-ahch4 ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head and the ,upper ,canada ,academy #agi ,,chapter ,,xxii4--#ahch4 ,victims of the ,rebellion4--,state of the ,country #ahb ,,chapter ,,xxiii4--#agie-ahfa4 ,sketch of ,mr4 ,william ,lyon ,mackenzie #ahe ,,chapter ,,xxiv4--#ahch4 ,defence of the ,hon4 ,marshall ,spring ,bidwell #ahh ,,chapter ,,xxv4--#ahch4 ,return to the ,editorship of the ,guardian #aii ,,chapter ,,xxvi4--#ahch-ahdj4 ,enemies and ,friends ,within and ,without #bje ,,chapter ,,xxvii4--#aggh-ahfg4 ,the ,honourable and ,right ,reverend ,bishop ,strachan #bac ,,chapter ,,xxviii4--#agia-ahcf4 ,the ,clergy ,reserves and ,rectories ,questions #bah ,,chapter ,,xxix4--#ahch4 ,the ,clergy ,reserve ,controversy ,renewed #bbe ,,chapter ,,xxx4--#ahch-ahci4 ,the ,ruling ,party and the ,reserves4--,divide et ,impera #bcf ,,chapter ,,xxxi4--#ahci4 ,strategy in the ,clergy ,reserve ,controversy #bde ,,chapter ,,xxxii4--#ahci4 ,sir ,g4 ,arthur's ,partizanship4--,state of the ,province #bej ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4--#ahch-ahdj4 ,the ,new ,era4--,lord ,durham and ,lord ,sydenham #beg ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4--#ahdj4 ,proposal to leave ,canada4--,dr4 ,ryerson's ,visit to ,england #bfi ,,chapter ,,xxxv4--#ahdj-ahda4 ,last ,pastoral ,charge4--,lord ,sydenham's ,death #bhb ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4--#ahda4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,attitude toward the ,church of ,england #bia ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4--#ahda-ahdb4 ,victoria ,college4--,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper4--,sir ,charles ,bagot #cja ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4--#ahdc4 ,episode in the case of ,hon4 ,marshall ,s4 ,bidwell #cjh ,,chapter ,,xxxix4--#ahdd4 ,events preceding the ,defence of ,lord ,metcalfe #cab ,,chapter ,,xl4--#ahdd4 ,preliminary ,correspondence on the ,metcalfe ,crisis #cai ,,chapter ,,xli4--#ahdd4 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe ,defended against his ,councillors #cbh ,,chapter ,,xlii4--#ahdd-ahde4 ,after the ,contest4--,reaction and ,reconstruction #ccg ,,chapter ,,xliii4--#ahda-ahdd4 ,dr4 ,ryerson appointed ,superintendent of ,education #cdb ,,chapter ,,xliv4--#ahdd-ahdf4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,first ,educational ,tour in ,europe #ceb ,,chapter ,,xlv4--#ahdd-aheg4 ,episode in ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,european ,travels4--,pope ,pius ,,ix #cfe ,,chapter ,,xlvi4--#ahdd-ahgf4 ,ontario ,school ,system4--,retirement of ,dr4 ,ryerson #cfh ,,chapter ,,xlvii4--#ahde-ahdf4 ,illness and ,final ,retirement of ,lord ,metcalfe #cge ,,chapter ,,xlviii4--#ahdc-ahdd4 ,clergy ,reserve ,question ,re-,opened4--,disappointments #cgh ,,chapter ,,xlix4--#ahdf-ahdh4 ,re-,union of the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences #chc ,,chapter ,l4--#ahdf-ahec4 ,miscellaneous ,events and ,incidents of #ahdf-ahec #daj ,,chapter ,,li4--#ahdi4 ,the ,bible in the ,ontario ,public ,schools #dbc ,,chapter ,,lii4--#ahej-ahec4 ,the ,clergy ,reserve ,question ,transferred to ,canada #dcc ,,chapter ,,liii4--#ahea4 ,personal ,episode in the ,clergy ,reserve ,question #ded ,,chapter ,,liv4--#ahed-ahee4 ,resignation on the ,class-,meeting ,question4--,discussion #dgj ,,chapter ,,lv4--#ahee4 ,dr4 ,ryerson resumes his ,position in the ,conference #dia ,,chapter ,,lvi4--#ahee-ahef4 ,personal ,episode in the ,class-,meeting ,discussion #dii ,,chapter ,,lvii4--#ahee-ahef4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,third ,educational ,tour in ,europe #ead ,,chapter ,,lviii4--#ahei-ahfb4 ,denominational ,colleges and the ,university ,controversy #eah ,,chapter ,,lix4--#ahfa-ahff4 ,personal ,incidents4--,dr4 ,ryerson's ,visits to ,norfolk ,county #ecd ,,chapter ,,lx4--#ahfg4 ,last ,educational ,visit to ,europe4--,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon #eci ,,chapter ,,lxi4--#ahfg4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,address on the ,new ,dominion of ,canada #edg ,,chapter ,,lxii4--#ahfh-ahfi4 ,correspondence with ,hon4 ,geo4 ,brown--,dr4 ,punshon #eed ,,chapter ,,lxiii4--#ahgj-ahge4 ,miscellaneous ,closing ,events and ,correspondence #eei ,,chapter ,,lxiv4--#ahge-ahgf4 ,correspondence with ,rev4 ,j4 ,ryerson1 ,dr4 ,punshon1 etc4 #egc ,,chapter ,,lxv4--#ahgg-ahhb4 ,closing ,years of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,life ,labours #ehe ,,chapter ,,lxvi4--#ahhb4 ,the ,funeral ,ceremonies #eic ,tributes to ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,memory and ,estimates of his ,character and ,work #eih ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations4 ,page ,portrait of ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson ,frontispiece ,indian ,village at ,river ,credit1 in #ahcg #ei ,john ,jones' ,house at the ,credit1 where ,dr4 ,ryerson ,resided #fe ,old ,credit ,mission1 #ahcg #gc ,old ,adelaide ,street ,methodist ,church #bhc ,victoria ,college1 ,cobourg #cjb ,ontario ,educational ,department and ,normal ,school #dba1 #dbb ,educational ,exhibit at ,philadelphia #ehd1 #ehe ,metropolitan ,church #efd ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,residence in ,toronto #ehg ,,prefatory ,,note4 ,twelve months ago1 ,i began to collect the necessary material for the completion of ,the ,story of ,my ,life1 which my venerated and beloved friend1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 had only left in partial outline4 ,these materials1 in the shape of letters1 papers1 and documents1 were fortunately most abundant4 ,the difficulty that ,i experienced was to select from such a miscellaneous collection a sufficient quantity of suitable matter1 which ,i could afterwards arrange and group into appropriate chapters4 ,this was not easily done1 so as to form a connected record of the life and labours of a singularly gifted man1 whose name was intimately connected with every public question which was discussed1 and every prominent event which took place in ,upper ,canada from #ahbe to #ahge-gh4 ,public men of the present day looked upon ,dr4 ,ryerson practically as one of their own contemporaries--noted for his zeal and energy in the successful management of a great ,public ,department1 and as the founder of a system of ,popular ,education which1 in his hands1 became the pride and glory of ,canadians1 and was to those beyond the ,dominion1 an ideal system--the leading features of which they would gladly see incorporated in their own4 ,in this estimate of ,dr4 ,ryerson's labours they were quite correct4 ,and in their appreciation of the statesmanlike qualities of mind1 which devised and developed such a system in the midst of difficulties which would have appalled less resolute hearts1 they were equally correct4 ,but1 after all1 how immeasurably does this partial view of his character and labours fall short of a true estimate of that character and of those labours6 ,as a matter of fact1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's great struggle for the civil and religious freedom which we now enjoy1 was almost over when he assumed the position of ,chief ,director of our ,educational ,system4 ,no one can read the record of his labours from #ahbe to #ahde1 as detailed in the following pages1 without being impressed with the fact that1 had he done no more for his native country than that which is therein recorded1 he would have accomplished a great work1 and have earned the gratitude of his fellow-countrymen4 ,it was my good fortune to enjoy ,dr4 ,ryerson's warm1 personal friendship since #ahda4 ,it has also been my distinguished privilege to be associated with him in the accomplishment of his great educational work since #ahdd4 ,i have been able1 therefore1 to turn my own personal knowledge of most of the events outlined in this volume to account in its preparation4 ,in regard to what transpired before #ahda1 ,i have frequently heard many narratives in varied forms from ,dr4 ,ryerson's lips4 ,my own intimate relations with ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and the character of our close personal friendship are sufficiently indicated in his private letters to me1 published in various parts of the book1 but especially in ,chapter liii4 ,and yet they fail to convey the depth and sincerity of his personal attachment1 and the feeling of entire trust and confidence which existed between us4 ,i am glad to say that ,i was not alone in this respect4 ,dr4 ,ryerson had the faculty1 so rare in official life1 of attaching his assistants and subordinates of every grade to himself personally4 ,he always had a pleasant word for them1 and made them feel that their interests were safe in his hands4 ,they therefore respected and trusted him fully1 and he never failed to acknowledge their fidelity and devotion in the public service4 ,i had1 for some time before he ceased to be the ,head of the ,education ,department1 looked forward with pain and anxiety to that inevitable event4 ,pain1 that he and ,i were at length to be separated in the carrying forward of the great work of our lives1 in which it had been my pride and pleasure to be his principal assistant4 ,anxiety at what1 from my knowledge of him1 ,i feared would be the effect of release from the work on fully accomplishing which he had so earnestly set his heart4 ,nor were my fears groundless4 ,to a man of his application and ardent temperament1 the feeling that his work was done sensibly affected him4 ,he lost a good deal of his elasticity1 and during the last few years of his life1 very perceptibly failed4 ,the day on which he took official leave of the ,department was indeed a memorable one4 ,as he bade farewell to each of his assistants in the office1 he and they were deeply moved4 ,he could not1 however1 bring himself to utter a word to me at our official parting1 but as soon as he reached home he wrote to me the following tender and loving note3-- #aga ,victoria ,street1 ,toronto1 ,monday ,evening1 ,february #bast1 #ahgf4 ,my ,dear ,hodgins1--,i felt too deeply to-day when parting with you in the ,office to be able to say a word4 ,i was quite overcome with the thought of severing our official connection1 which has existed between us for thirty-two years1 during the whole of which time1 without interruption1 we have laboured as one mind and heart in two bodies1 and ,i believe with a single eye to promote the best interests of our country1 irrespective of religious sect or political party--to devise1 develop1 and mature a system of instruction which embraces and provides for every child in the land a good education2 good teachers to teach2 good inspectors to oversee the ,schools2 good maps1 globes1 and text-books2 good books to read2 and every provision whereby ,municipal ,councils and ,trustees can provide suitable accommodation1 teachers1 and facilities for imparting education and knowledge to the rising generation of the land4 ,while ,i devoted the year #ahde to visiting educating countries and investigating their system of instruction1 in order to devise one for our country1 you devoted the same time in ,dublin in mastering1 under the special auspices of the ,board of ,education there1 the several different branches of their ,education ,office1 in administering the system of ,national ,education in ,ireland1 so that in the details of our ,education ,office here1 as well as in our general school system1 we have been enabled to build up the most extensive establishment in the country1 leaving nothing1 as far as ,i know1 to be devised in the completeness of its arrangements1 and in the good character and efficiency of its officers4 ,whatever credit or satisfaction may attach to the accomplishment of this work1 ,i feel that you are entitled to share equally with myself4 ,could ,i have believed that ,i might have been of any service to you1 or to others with whom ,i have laboured so cordially1 or that ,i could have advanced the school system1 ,i would not have voluntarily retired from office4 ,but all circumstances considered1 and entering within a few days upon my #gdth year1 ,i have felt that this was the time for me to commit to other hands the reins of the government of the public school system1 and labour during the last hours of my day and life1 in a more retired sphere4 ,but my heart is1 and ever will be1 with you in its sympathies and prayers1 and neither you nor yours will more truly rejoice in your success and happiness1 than ,your old life-long ,friend ,and ,fellow-labourer1 ,e4 ,ryerson4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was confessedly a man of great intellectual resources4 ,those who read what he has written on the question--perilous to any writer in the early days of the history of this ,province--of equal civil and religious rights for the people of ,upper ,canada1 will be impressed with the fact that he had thoroughly mastered the great principles of civil and religious liberty1 and expounded them not only with courage1 but with clearness and force4 ,his papers on the clergy reserve question1 and the rights of the ,canadian ,parliament in the matter1 were statesmanlike and exhaustive4 ,his exposition of a proposed system of education for his native country was both philosophical and eminently practical4 ,as a ,christian ,minister1 he was possessed of rare gifts1 both in the pulpit and on the platform2 while his warm sympathies and his deep religious experience1 made him not only a son of consolation1 but a beloved and welcome visitor in the homes of the sorrowing and the afflicted4 ,among his brethren he exercised great personal influence2 and in the counsels of the ,conference he occupied a trusted and foremost place4 ,thus we see that ,dr4 ,ryerson's character was a many-sided one2 while his talents were remarkably versatile4 ,he was an able writer on public affairs2 a noted ,wesleyan ,minister1 and a successful and skilful leader among his brethren4 ,but his fame in the future will mainly rest upon the fact that he was a distinguished ,canadian ,educationist1 and the ,founder of a great system of ,public ,education for ,upper ,canada4 ,what makes this widely conceded excellence in his case the more marked1 was the fact that the soil on which he had to labour was unprepared1 and the social condition of the country was unpropitious4 ,english ideas of schools for the poor1 supported by subscriptions and voluntary offerings1 prevailed in ,upper ,canada2 free schools were unknown2 the very principle on which they rest--that is1 that the rateable property of the country is responsible for the education of the youth of the land--was denounced as communistic1 and an invasion of the rights of property2 while compulsory education--the proper and necessary complement of free schools--was equally denounced as the essence of ,prussian despotism1 and an impertinent and unjustifiable interference with the rights of ,british subjects4 ,it was a reasonable boast at the time that only systems of popular education1 based upon the principle of free schools1 were possible in the republican ,american ,states1 where the wide diffusion of education was regarded as a prime necessity for the stability and success of republican institutions1 and1 therefore1 was fostered with unceasing care4 ,it was the theme on which the popular orator loved to dilate to a people on whose sympathies with the subject he could always confidently reckon4 ,the practical mind of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 however1 at once saw that the ,american idea of free schools was the true one4 ,he moreover perceived that by giving his countrymen facilities for freely discussing the question among the ratepayers once a year1 they would educate themselves into the idea1 without any interference from the ,state4 ,these facilities were provided in #ahej2 and for twenty-one years the question of free-schools versus rate-bill schools 7lees1 c47 was discussed every ,january in from #c1jjj to #e1jjj school sections1 until free schools became voluntarily the rule1 and rate-bill schools the exception4 ,in #ahga1 by common consent1 the free school principle was incorporated into our school system by the ,legislature1 and has ever since been the universal practice4 ,in the adoption of this principle1 and in the successful administration of the ,education ,department1 ,dr4 ,ryerson at length demonstrated that a popular 7or1 as it had been held in the ,united ,states1 the democratic7 system of public schools was admirably adapted to our monarchical institutions4 ,in point of fact1 leading ,american educationists have often pointed out that the ,canadian system of public education was more efficient in all of its details and more practically successful in its results1 than was the ordinary ,american school system in any one of the ,states of the ,union4 ,thus it is that the fame of ,dr4 ,ryerson as a successful founder of our educational system1 rests upon a solid basis4 ,what has been done by him will not be undone2 and the ground gone over by him will not require to be traversed again4 ,in the ,story of ,my ,life1 not much has been said upon the subject with which ,dr4 ,ryerson's name has been most associated4 ,it was distinctively the period of his public life1 and its record will be found in the official literature of his ,department4 ,the personal reminiscences left by him are scanty1 and of themselves would present an utterly inadequate picture of his educational work4 ,such a history may one day be written as would do it justice1 but ,i feel that in such a work as the present it is better not to attempt a task1 the proper performance of which would make demands upon the space and time at my disposal that could not be easily met4 ,there was one rle in which ,dr4 ,ryerson pre-eminently excelled--that of a controversialist4 ,there was nothing spasmodic in his method of controversy1 although there might be in the times and occasions of his indulging in it4 ,he was a well-read man and an accurate thinker4 ,his habit1 when he meditated a descent upon a foe1 was to thoroughly master the subject in dispute2 to collect and arrange his materials1 and then calmly and deliberately study the whole subject--especially the weak points in his adversary's case1 and the strong points of his own4 ,his habits of study in early life contributed to his after success in this matter4 ,he was an indefatigable student2 and so thoroughly did he in early life ground himself in ,english subjects--grammar1 logic1 rhetoric--and the classics1 and that1 too1 under the most adverse circumstances1 that1 in his subsequent active career as a writer and controversialist1 he evinced a power and readiness with his tongue and pen1 that often astonished those who were unacquainted with the laborious thoroughness of his previous mental preparation4 ,it was marvellous with what wonderful effect he used the material at hand4 ,like a skilful general defending a position--and his study was always to act on the defensive--he masked his batteries1 and was careful not to exhaust his ammunition in the first encounter4 ,he never offered battle without having a sufficient force in reserve to overwhelm his opponent4 ,he never exposed a weak point1 nor espoused a worthless cause4 ,he always fought for great principles1 which to him were sacred1 and he defended them to the utmost of his ability1 when they were attacked4 ,in such cases1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was careful not to rush into print until he had fully mastered the subject in dispute4 ,this statement may be questioned1 and apparent examples to the contrary adduced2 but the writer knows better1 for he knows the facts4 ,in most cases ,dr4 ,ryerson scented the battle from afar4 ,many a skirmish was improvised1 and many a battle was privately fought out before the ,chief advanced to repel an attack1 or to fire the first shot in defence of his position4 ,a word as to the character of this work4 ,it may be objected that ,i have dealt largely with subjects of no practical interest now--with dead issues1 and with controversies for great principles1 which1 although important1 acrimonious1 and spirited at the time1 have long since lost their interest4 ,let such critics reflect that the ,story of such a ,life as that of ,dr4 ,ryerson cannot be told without a statement of the toils and difficulties which he encountered1 and the triumphs which he achieved8 ,for this reason ,i have written as ,i have done1 recounting them as briefly as the subjects would permit4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the preparation of this work ,i am indebted to the co-operation of my co-trustees the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,potts and ,rev4 ,dr4 ,nelles1 whose long and intimate acquaintance with ,dr4 ,ryerson 7quite apart from their acknowledged ability7 rendered their counsels of great value4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and now my filial task is done1--imperfectly1 very imperfectly ,i admit4 ,while engaged in the latter part of the work a deep dark shadow fell--suddenly fell--upon my peaceful1 happy home4 ,this great sorrow has almost paralyzed my energies1 and has rendered it very difficult for me to concentrate my thoughts on the loving task which twelve months ago ,i had so cheerfully begun4 ,under these circumstances1 ,i can but crave the indulgence of the readers of these memorial pages of my revered and honoured ,friend1 the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson--the foremost ,canadian of his time4 ,toronto1 #agth ,may1 #ahhc4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the accompanying page1 ,i give a fac-simile of the well-known hand-writing of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 one of the many notes which ,i received from him4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,this is a transcription of a handwritten letter4 ,portland ,monday ,morning ,aug #c #ahfc ,my dear ,hodgins1 ,your letter to the ,provincial ,secretary is as good as could be--better than ,i could write4 ,i have written this evening the accompanying draft of circular such as you suggested4 ,you can alter1 add to1 or abridge it as you shall think best1 before printing sending it out4 ,i remain1 as ever1 ,yours most affectionately ,e ,ryerson ,,estimate ,,of ,,the ,,rev4 ,,dr4 ,,ryerson',s ,,character ,,and ,,labours4 ,by the ,rev4 ,william ,ormiston1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d4 ,new ,york1 ,oct4 #fth1 #ahhb4 ,my ,dear ,dr4 ,hodgins1--,it affords me the sincerest pleasure1 tinged with sadness1 to record1 at your request1 the strong feelings of devoted personal affection which ,i long cherished for our mutual father and friend1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson2 and the high estimate1 which1 during an intimacy of nearly forty years1 ,i had been led to form of his lofty intellectual endowments1 his great moral worth1 and his pervading spiritual power4 ,he was very dear to me while he lived1 and now his memory is to me a precious1 peculiar treasure4 ,in the autumn of #ahdc1 ,i went to ,victoria ,college1 doubting much whether ,i was prepared to matriculate as a freshman4 ,though my attainments in some of the subjects prescribed for examination were far in advance of the requirements1 in other subjects1 ,i knew ,i was sadly deficient4 ,on the evening of my arrival1 while my mind was burdened with the importance of the step ,i had taken1 and by no means free from anxiety about the issue1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 at that time ,principal of the ,college1 visited me in my room4 ,i shall never forget that interview4 ,he took me by the hand2 and few men could express as much by a mere hand-shake as he4 ,it was a welcome1 an encouragement1 an inspiration1 and an earnest of future fellowship and friendship4 ,it lessened the timid awe ,i naturally felt towards one in such an elevated position1--,i had never before seen a ,principal of a ,college1--it dissipated all boyish awkwardness1 and awakened filial confidence4 ,he spoke of ,scotland1 my native land1 and of her noble sons1 distinguished in every branch of philosophy and literature2 specially of the number1 the diligence1 the frugality1 self-denial1 and success of her college students4 ,in this way1 he soon led me to tell him of my parentage1 past life and efforts1 present hopes and aspirations4 ,his manner was so gracious and paternal--his sympathy so quick and genuine--his counsel so ready and cheering--his assurances so grateful and inspiriting1 that not only was my heart his from that hour1 but my future career seemed brighter and more certain than it had ever appeared before4 ,many times in after years1 have ,i been instructed1 and guided1 and delighted with his conversation1 always replete with interest and information2 but that first interview ,i can never forget3 it is as fresh and clear to me to-day as it was on the morning after it took place4 ,it has exerted a profound1 enduring1 moulding influence on my whole life4 ,for what1 under ,god1 ,i am1 and have been enabled to achieve1 ,i owe more to that noble1 unselfish1 kind-hearted man than to any one else4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was1 at that time1 in the prime of a magnificent manhood4 ,his well-developed1 finely-proportioned1 firmly-knit frame2 his broad1 lofty brow2 his keen1 penetrating eye1 and his genial1 benignant face1 all proclaimed him every inch a man4 ,his mental powers vigorous and well-disciplined1 his attainments in literature varied and extensive1 his experience extended and diversified1 his fame as a preacher of great pathos and power widely-spread1 his claims as a doughty1 dauntless champion of the rights of the people to civil and religious liberty generally acknowledged1 his powers of expression marvellous in readiness1 richness1 and beauty1 his manners affable and winning1 his presence magnetic and impressive1--he stood in the eye of the youthful1 ardent1 aspiring student1 a tower of strength1 a centre of healthy1 helpful influences--a man to be admired and honoured1 loved and feared1 imitated and followed4 ,and ,i may add that frequent intercourse for nearly forty years1 and close official relations for more than ten1 only deepened and confirmed the impressions first made4 ,a more familiar acquaintance with his domestic1 social1 and religious life1 a more thorough knowledge of his mind and heart1 constantly increased my appreciation of his worth1 my esteem for his character1 and my affection for his person4 ,not a few misunderstood1 undervalued1 or misrepresented his public conduct1 but it will be found that those who knew him best1 loved him most1 and that many who were constrained to differ from him1 in his management of public affairs1 did full justice to the purity and generosity of his motives1 to the nobility1 loftiness1 and ultimate success of his aims1 and to the disinterestedness and value of his varied and manifold labours for the country1 and for the ,church of ,christ4 ,as a teacher1 he was earnest and efficient1 eloquent and inspiring1 but he expected and exacted rather too much work from the average student4 ,his own ready and affluent mind sympathized keenly with the apt1 bright scholar1 to whom his praise was warmly given1 but he scarcely made sufficient allowance for the dullness or lack of previous preparation which failed to keep pace with him in his long and rapid strides2 hence his censures were occasionally severe4 ,his methods of examination furnished the very best kind of mental discipline1 fitted alike to cultivate the memory and to strengthen the judgment4 ,all the students revered him1 but the best of the class appreciated him most4 ,his counsels were faithful and judicious2 his admonitions paternal and discriminating2 his rebukes seldom administered1 but scathingly severe4 ,no student ever left his presence1 without resolving to do better1 to aim higher1 and to win his approval4 ,his acceptance of the office of ,chief ,superintendent of ,education1 while offering to him the sphere of his life's work1 and giving to the country the very service it needed--the man for the place--was a severe trial to the still struggling ,college1 and a bitter disappointment to some young1 ambitious hearts4 ,into this new arena he entered with a resolute determination to succeed1 and he spared no pains1 effort1 or sacrifice to fit himself thoroughly for the onerous duties of the office to which he had been appointed4 ,of its nature1 importance1 and far-reaching results1 he had a distinct1 vivid perception1 and clearly realized and fully felt the responsibilities it imposed4 ,he steadfastly prosecuted his work with a firm1 inflexible will1 unrelaxing tenacity of purpose1 an amazing fertility of expedient1 an exhaustless amount of information1 a most wonderful skill in adaptation1 a matchless ability in unfolding and vindicating his plans1 a rare adroitness in meeting and removing difficulties--great moderation in success1 and indomitable perseverance under discouragement1 calm patience when misapprehended1 unflinching courage when opposed1--until he achieved the consummation of his wishes1 the establishment of a system of public education second to none in its efficiency and adaptation to the condition and circumstances of the people4 ,the system is a noble monument to the singleness of purpose1 the unwavering devotion1 the tireless energy1 the eminent ability1 and the administrative powers of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and it will render his name a familiar word for many generations in ,canadian schools and homes2 and place him high in the list of the great men of other lands1 distinguished in the same field of labour4 ,his entire administration of the ,department of ,public ,instruction was patient and prudent1 vigorous and vigilant1 sagacious and successful4 ,he repeatedly visited ,europe1 not for mere recreation or personal advantage1 but for the advancement of the interests of religion and education in the ,province4 ,during these tours1 there were opened to him the most extended fields of observation and enquiry1 from which he gathered ample stores of information which he speedily rendered available for the perfecting1 as far as practicable1 the entire system of ,public ,instruction4 ,a prominent figure in ,canadian history for three score years1 actively and ceaselessly engaged in almost every department of patriotic and philanthropic1 ,christian and literary1 enterprise1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was a strong tower in support or defence of every good cause1 and no such cause failed to secure the powerful aid of his advocacy by voice and pen4 ,his was truly a catholic and charitable spirit4 ,nothing human was alien to him4 ,a friend of all good men1 he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all1 even of those whose opinions or policy on public questions he felt constrained to refute or oppose4 ,he commanded the respect1 and secured the friendship of men of every rank1 and creed1 and party4 ,none could better appreciate his ability and magnanimity than those who encountered him as an opponent1 or were compelled to acknowledge him as victor4 ,his convictions were strong1 his principles firm1 his purposes resolute1 and he could1 and did maintain them1 with chivalrous daring1 against any and every assault4 ,in the heat of controversy1 while repelling unworthy insinuations1 his indignation was sometimes roused1 and his language not unfrequently was fervid1 and forcible1 and scathingly severe1 but seldom1 if ever1 personally rancorous or bitter4 ,when violently or vilely assailed his sensitive nature keenly felt the wound1 but though he earned many a scar1 he bore no malice4 ,his intellectual powers1 of a high order1 admirably balanced1 and invigorated by long and severe discipline1 found their expression in word and work1 by pulpit1 press1 and platform1 in the achievements of self-denying1 indefatigable industry1 and in wise and lofty statesmanship4 ,his moral nature was elevated and pure4 ,he was generous1 sympathetic1 benevolent1 faithful1 trusting1 and trustworthy4 ,he rejoiced sincerely in the weal1 and deeply felt the woes of others1 and his ready hand obeyed the dictates of his loving1 liberal heart4 ,his religious life was marked by humility1 consistency1 and cheerfulness4 ,the simplicity of his faith in advanced life was childlike1 and sublime4 ,his trust in ,god never faltered1 and1 at the end of his course1 his hopes of eternal life1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord1 were radiant and triumphant4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was truly a great man1 endowed with grand qualities of mind and heart1 which he consecrated to high and holy aims2 and though1 in early life1 and in his public career1 beset with many difficulties1 he heroically achieved for himself1 among his own people1 a most enviable renown4 ,his work and his worth universally appreciated1 his influence widely acknowledged1 his services highly valued1 his name a household word throughout the ,dominion1 and his memory a legacy and an inspiration to future generations4 ,and while ,canada owes more to him than any other of her sons1 his fame is not confined to the land of his birth1 which he loved so well1 and served so faithfully1 but in ,britain and in the ,united ,states of ,america his name is well known1 and is classed with their own deserving worthies4 ,whatever judgment may be formed of some parts of his eventful and distinguished career as a public man1 there can be but one opinion as to the eminent and valuable services he has rendered to his country1 as a laborious1 celebrated pioneer preacher1 an able ecclesiastical leader1 a valiant and veteran advocate of civil and religious liberty--as the founder and administrator of a system of public education second to that of no other land--as the ,president and life-long patron of ,victoria ,university1 whose oldest living alumnus will hold his memory dear to life's close1 when severed friends will be reunited2 and whose successive classes will revere as the first ,president and firm friend of their ,alma ,mater1 as the promoter of popular education1 the ally of all teachers1 and an example to all young men4 ,i lay this simple wreath on the memorial of one1 whom ,i found able and helpful as a teacher in my youth--wise and prudent as an adviser in after life--generous and considerate as a superior officer--tender and true as a friend4 ,he loved me1 and was beloved by me4 ,he doubtless had his faults1 but ,i cannot recall them2 and very few1 ,i venture to think1 will ever seek to mention them4 ,the green turf which rests on his grave covers them4 ,his memory will live as one of the purest1 kindest1 best of men4 ,a patriot1 a scholar1 a ,christian--the servant of ,god1 the friend of man4 ,amicum perdere est damnorum maximum4 ,yours1 very faithfully1 in bonds of truest friendship1 ,w4 ,ormiston4 ,to ,j4 ,george ,hodgins1 ,esq41 ,,ll4,d41 ,toronto ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,my ,,life4 ,,chapter ,i4 #ahjc-ahbe4 ,sketch of ,early ,life4 ,i have several times been importuned to furnish a sketch of my life for books of biography of public men1 published both in ,canada and the ,united ,states2 but ,i have uniformly declined1 assigning as a reason a wish to have nothing of the kind published during my lifetime4 ,finding1 however1 that some circumstances connected with my early history have been misapprehended and misrepresented by adversaries1 and that my friends are anxious that ,i should furnish some information on the subject1 and being now in the seventieth year of my age1 ,i sit down in this my ,long ,point ,island ,cottage1 retired from the busy world1 to give some account of my early life1 on this blessed ,sabbath day1 indebted to the ,god of the ,sabbath for all that ,i am1--morally1 intellectually1 and as a public man1 as well as for all my hopes of a future life4 ,i was born on the #bdth of ,march1 #ahjc1 in the ,township of ,charlotteville1 near the ,village of ,vittoria1 in the then ,london ,district1 now the ,county of ,norfolk4 ,my ,father had been an officer in the ,british ,army during the ,american ,revolution1 being a volunteer in the ,prince of ,wales' ,regiment of ,new ,jersey1 of which place he was a native4 ,his forefathers were from ,holland1 and his more remote ancestors were from ,denmark4 ,at the close of the ,american ,revolutionary ,war1 he1 with many others of the same class1 went to ,new ,brunswick1 where he married my ,mother1 whose maiden name was ,stickney1 a descendant of one of the early ,massachusetts ,puritan settlers4 ,near the close of the last century my ,father1 with his family1 followed an elder brother to ,canada1#a where he drew some #b1ejj acres of land from the ,government1 for his services in the army1 besides his pension4 ,my ,father settled on #fjj acres of land lying about half-way between the present ,village of ,vittoria and ,port ,ryerse1 where my uncle ,samuel settled1 and where he built the first mill in the ,county of ,norfolk4 ,on the organization of the ,london ,district in #ahjj1 for legal purposes1 my uncle was the ,lieutenant of the ,county1 issuing commissions in his own name to militia officers2 he was also ,chairman of the ,quarter ,sessions4 ,my ,father was appointed ,high ,sheriff in #ahjj1 but held the office only six years1 when he resigned it in behalf of the late ,colonel ,john ,bostwick 7then a surveyor71 who subsequently married my eldest sister1 and who owned what is now ,port ,stanley1 and was at one time a ,member of ,parliament for the ,county of ,middlesex4 ,my ,father devoted himself exclusively to agriculture1 and ,i learned to do all kinds of farm-work4 ,the district grammar-school was then kept within half-a-mile of my ,father's residence1 by ,mr4 ,james ,mitchell 7afterwards ,judge ,mitchell71 an excellent classical scholar2 he came from ,scotland with the late ,rt4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,strachan1 first ,bishop of ,toronto4 ,mr4 ,mitchell married my youngest sister4 ,he treated me with much kindness4 ,when ,i recited to him my lessons in ,english grammar he often said that he had never studied the ,english grammar himself1 that he wrote and spoke ,english by the ,latin grammar4 ,at the age of fourteen ,i had the opportunity of attending a course of instruction in the ,english language given by two professors1 the one an ,englishman1 and the other an ,american1 who taught nothing but ,english grammar4 ,they professed in one course of instruction1 by lectures1 to enable a diligent pupil to parse any sentence in the ,english language4 ,i was sent to attend these lectures1 the only boarding abroad for school instruction ,i ever enjoyed4 ,my previous knowledge of the letter of the grammar was of great service to me1 and gave me an advantage over other pupils1 so that before the end of the course ,i was generally called up to give visitors an illustration of the success of the system1 which was certainly the most effective ,i have ever since witnessed1 having charts1 etc41 to illustrate the agreement and government of words4 ,this whole course of instruction by two able men1 who did nothing but teach grammar from one week's end to another had to me all the attraction of a charm and a new discovery4 ,it gratified both curiosity and ambition1 and ,i pursued it with absorbing interest1 until ,i had gone through ,murray's two volumes of ,expositions and ,exercises1 ,lord ,kames' ,elements of ,criticism1 and ,blair's ,lectures on ,rhetoric1 of which ,i still have the notes which ,i then made4 ,the same professors obtained sufficient encouragement to give a second course of instruction and lectures at ,vittoria1 and one of them becoming ill1 the other solicited my ,father to allow me to assist him1 as it would be useful to me1 while it would enable him to fulfil his engagements4 ,thus1 before ,i was sixteen1 ,i was inducted as a teacher1 by lecturing on my native language4 ,this course of instruction1 and exercises in ,english1 have proved of the greatest advantage to me1 not less in enabling me to study foreign languages than in using my own4 ,but that to which ,i am principally indebted for any studious habits1 mental energy1 or even capacity or decision of character1 is religious instruction1 poured into my mind in my childhood by a ,mother's counsels1 and infused into my heart by a ,mother's prayers and tears4 ,when very small1 under six years of age1 having done something naughty1 my ,mother took me into her bedroom1 told me how bad and wicked what ,i had done was1 and what pain it caused her1 kneeled down1 clasped me to her bosom1 and prayed for me4 ,her tears1 falling upon my head1 seemed to penetrate to my very heart4 ,this was my first religious impression1 and was never effaced4 ,though thoughtless1 and full of playful mischief1 ,i never afterwards knowingly grieved my ,mother1 or gave her other than respectful and kind words4 ,at the close of the ,american ,war1 in #ahae1 when ,i was twelve years of age1 my three elder brothers1 ,george1 ,william1 and ,john1 became deeply religious1 and ,i imbibed the same spirit4 ,my consciousness of guilt and sinfulness was humbling1 oppressive1 and distressing2 and my experience of relief1 after lengthened fastings1 watchings1 and prayers1 was clear1 refreshing1 and joyous4 ,in the end ,i simply trusted in ,christ1 and looked to ,him for a present salvation2 and1 as ,i looked up in my bed1 the light appeared to my mind1 and1 as ,i thought1 to my bodily eye also1 in the form of ,one1 white-robed1 who approached the bedside with a smile1 and with more of the expression of the countenance of ,titian's ,christ than of any person whom ,i have ever seen4 ,i turned1 rose to my knees1 bowed my head1 and covered my face1 rejoiced with trembling1 saying to a brother who was lying beside me1 that the ,saviour was now near us4 ,the change within was more marked than anything without and1 perhaps1 the inward change may have suggested what appeared an outward manifestation4 ,i henceforth had new views1 new feelings1 new joys1 and new strength4 ,i truly delighted in the law of the ,lord1 after the inward man1 and-- ,jesus1 all the day long1 was my joy and my song4 ,from that time ,i became a diligent student1 and new quickness and strength seemed to be imparted to my understanding and memory4 ,while working on the farm ,i did more than ordinary day's work1 that it might show how industrious1 instead of lazy1 as some said1 religion made a person4 ,i studied between three and six o'clock in the morning1 carried a book in my pocket during the day to improve odd moments by reading or learning1 and then reviewed my studies of the day aloud while walking out in the evening4 ,to the ,methodist way of religion my ,father was1 at that time1 extremely opposed1 and refused me every facility for acquiring knowledge while ,i continued to go amongst them4 ,i did not1 however1 formally join them1 in order to avoid his extreme displeasure4 ,a kind friend offered to give me any book that ,i would commit to memory1 and submit to his examination of the same4 ,in this way ,i obtained my first ,latin grammar1 ,watts on the ,mind1 and ,watts' ,logic4 ,my eldest brother1 ,george1 after the war1 went to ,union ,college1 ,u4,s41 where he finished his collegiate studies4 ,he was a fellow-student with the late ,dr4 ,wayland1 and afterwards succeeded my brother-in-law as ,master of the ,london ,district ,grammar ,school4 ,his counsels1 examinations1 and ever kind assistance were a great encouragement and of immense service to me2 and though he and ,i have since differed in religious opinions1 no other than most affectionate brotherly feeling has ever existed between us to this day4#b ,when ,i had attained the age of eighteen1 the ,methodist minister in charge of the circuit which embraced our neighbourhood1 thought it not compatible with the rules of the ,church to allow1 as had been done for several years1 the privileges of a member without my becoming one4 ,i then gave in my name for membership4 ,information of this was soon communicated to my ,father1 who1 in the course of a few days1 said to me3 ,egerton1 ,i understand you have joined the ,methodists2 you must either leave them or leave my house4 ,he said no more1 and ,i well knew that the decree was final2 but ,i had formed my decision in view of all possible consequences1 and ,i had the aid of a ,mother's prayers1 and a ,mother's tenderness1 and a conscious ,divine strength according to my need4 ,the next day ,i left home and became usher in the ,london ,district ,grammar ,school1 applying myself to my new work with much diligence and earnestness1 so that ,i soon succeeded in gaining the good-will of parents and pupils1 and they were quite satisfied with my services1--leaving the head master to his favourite pursuits of gardening and building6 ,during two years ,i was thus teacher and student1 advancing considerably in classical studies4 ,i took great delight in ,locke on the ,human ,understanding1 ,paley's ,moral and ,political ,philosophy1 and ,blackstone's ,commentaries1 especially the sections of the latter on the ,prerogatives of the ,crown1 the ,rights of the ,subject1 and the ,province of ,parliament4 ,as my ,father complained that the ,methodists had robbed him of his son1 and of the fruits of that son's labours1 ,i wished to remove that ground of complaint as far as possible by hiring an ,english farm-labourer1 then just arrived in ,canada1 in my place1 and paid him out of the proceeds of my own labour for two years4 ,but although the farmer was the best hired man my ,father had ever had1 the result of his farm-productions during these two years did not equal those of the two years that ,i had been the chief labourer on the farm1 and my ,father came to me one day uttering the single sentence1 ,egerton1 you must come home1 and then walked away4 ,my first promptings would have led me to say1 ,father1 you have expelled me from your house for being a ,methodist2 ,i am so still4 ,i have employed a man for you in my place for two years1 during which time ,i have been a student and a teacher1 and unaccustomed to work on a farm1 ,i cannot now resume it4 ,but ,i had left home for the honour of religion1 and ,i thought the honour of religion would be promoted by my returning home1 and showing still that the religion so much spoken against would enable me to leave the school for the plough and the harvest-field1 as it had enabled me to leave home without knowing at the moment whether ,i should be a teacher or a farm-labourer4 ,i relinquished my engagement as teacher within a few days1 engaging again on the farm with such determination and purpose that ,i ploughed every acre of ground for the season1 cradled every stalk of wheat1 rye1 and oats1 and mowed every spear of grass1 pitched the whole1 first on a waggon1 and then from the waggon on the hay-mow or stack4 ,while the neighbours were astonished at the possibility of one man doing so much work1 ,i neither felt fatigue nor depression1 for the joy of the ,lord was my strength1 both of body and mind1 and ,i made nearly1 if not quite1 as much progress in my studies as ,i had done while teaching school4 ,my ,father then became changed in regard both to myself and the religion ,i professed1 desiring me to remain at home2 but1 having been enabled to maintain a good conscience in the sight of ,god1 and a good report before men1 in regard to my filial duty during my minority1 ,i felt that my life's work lay in another direction4 ,i had refused1 indeed1 the advice of senior ,methodist ministers to enter into the ministerial work1 feeling myself as yet unqualified for it1 and still doubting whether ,i should ever engage in it1 or in another profession4 ,i felt a strong desire to pursue further my classical studies1 and determined1 with the kind counsel and aid of my eldest brother1 to proceed to ,hamilton1 and place myself for a year under the tuition of a man of high reputation both as a scholar and a teacher1 the late ,john ,law1 ,esq41 then head master of the ,gore ,district ,grammar ,school4 ,i applied myself with such ardour1 and prepared such an amount of work in both ,latin and ,greek1 that ,mr4 ,law said it was impossible for him to give the time and hear me read all that ,i had prepared1 and that he would1 therefore1 examine me on the translation and construction of the more difficult passages1 remarking more than once that it was impossible for any human mind to sustain long the strain that ,i was imposing upon mine4 ,in the course of some six months his apprehensions were realized1 as ,i was seized with a brain fever1 and on partially recovering took cold1 which resulted in inflammation of the lungs by which ,i was so reduced that my physician1 the late ,dr4 ,james ,graham1 of ,norfolk1 pronounced my case hopeless1 and my death was hourly expected4 ,in that extremity1 while ,i felt even a desire to depart and be with ,christ1 ,i was oppressed with the consciousness that ,i should have yielded to the counsels of the chief ministers of my ,church1 as ,i could have made nearly as much progress in my classical studies1 and at the same time been doing some good to the souls of men1 instead of refusing to speak in public as ,i had done4 ,i then and there vowed that if ,i should be restored to life and health1 ,i would not follow my own counsels1 but would yield to the openings and calls which might be made in the ,church by its chief ministers4 ,that very moment the cloud was removed2 the light of the glory of ,god shone into my mind and heart with a splendour and power that ,i had never before experienced4 ,my ,mother1 entering the room a few moments after1 exclaimed3 ,egerton1 your countenance is changed1 you are getting better6 ,my bodily recovery was rapid2 but the recovery of my mind from the shock which it had experienced was slower1 and for some weeks ,i could not even read1 much less study4 ,while thus recovering1 ,i exercised myself as ,i best could in writing down my meditations4 ,my ,father so earnestly solicited me to return1 that he offered me a deed of his farm if ,i would do so and live with him2 but ,i declined acceding to his request under any circumstances1 expressing my conviction that even could ,i do so1 ,i thought it unwise and wrong for any parent to place himself in a position of dependence upon any of his children for support1 so long as he could avoid doing so4 ,one day1 entering my room and seeing a manuscript lying on the bed1 he asked me what ,i had been writing1 and wished me to read it4 ,i had written a meditation on part of the last verse of the #gcrd ,psalm3 it is good for me to draw near to ,god4 ,when ,i read to him what ,i had written my ,father rose with a sigh1 remarking3 ,egerton1 ,i don't think you will ever return home again1 and he never afterwards mooted the subject1 except in a general way4 ,on recovering1 ,i returned to ,hamilton and resumed my studies2 shortly after which ,i went on a ,saturday to a quarterly meeting1 held about twelve miles from ,hamilton1 at ,the ,fifty1 a neighborhood two or three miles west of ,grimsby1 where ,i expected to meet my brother ,william1 who was one of the ministers on the circuit1 which was then called the ,niagara ,circuit--embracing the whole ,niagara ,peninsula1 from five miles east of ,hamilton1 and across to the west of ,fort ,erie4 ,but my brother did not attend1 and ,i learned that he had been laid aside from his ministerial work by bleeding of the lungs4 ,between love-feast and preaching on ,sunday morning1 the presiding elder1 the ,rev4 ,thomas ,madden1 the late ,hugh ,willson1 and the late ,smith ,griffin 7grandfather of the ,rev4 ,w4 ,s4 ,griffin71 circuit stewards1 called me aside and asked if ,i had any engagements that would prevent me from coming on the circuit to supply the place of my brother ,william1 who might be unable to resume his work for1 perhaps1 a year or more4 ,i felt that the vows of ,god were upon me1 and ,i was for some moments speechless from emotion4 ,on recovering1 ,i said ,i had no engagements beyond my own plans and purposes2 but ,i was yet weak in body from severe illness1 and ,i had no means for anything else than pursuing my studies1 for which aid had been provided4 ,one of the stewards replied that he would give me a horse1 and the other that he would provide me with a saddle and bridle4 ,i then felt that ,i had no choice but to fulfill the vow which ,i had made1 on what was supposed to my deathbed4 ,i returned to ,hamilton1 settled with my instructor and for my lodgings1 and made my first attempt at preaching at or near ,beamsville1 on ,easter ,sunday1 #ahbe1 in the morning1 from the #eth verse of the #abfth ,psalm3 ,they that sow in tears shall reap in joy2 and in the afternoon at ,the ,fifty1 on ,the ,resurrection of ,christ4--,acts ii4 #bd4 ,toronto1 ,nov4 #aath1 #ahhj4 ,such was the sketch of my life which ,i wrote on ,sabbath in my ,long ,point ,island ,cottage1 on the #bdth of ,march1 #ahgc1 the #gjth anniversary of my birthday4 ,i know not that ,i can add anything to the foregoing story of my early life that would be worth writing or reading4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in his cottage at ,long ,point1 on his seventy-fifth birthday1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote the following paper1 which ,dr4 ,potts read on the occasion of his funeral discourse4 ,it will be read with profoundest interest1 as one of the noblest of those ,christian experiences which are the rich heritage of the ,church4--,j4 ,g4 ,h4 ,long ,point ,island ,cottage1 ,march #bdth1 #ahgh4 ,i am this day seventy-five years of age1 and this day fifty-three years ago1 after resisting many solicitations to enter the ministry1 and after long and painful struggles1 ,i decided to devote my life and all to the ministry of the ,methodist ,church4 ,the predominant feeling of my heart is that of gratitude and humiliation2 gratitude for ,god's unbounded mercy1 patience1 and compassion1 in the bestowment of almost uninterrupted health1 and innumerable personal1 domestic1 and social blessings for more than fifty years of a public life of great labour and many dangers2 and humiliation under a deep-felt consciousness of personal unfaithfulness1 of many defects1 errors1 and neglects in public duties4 ,many tell me that ,i have been useful to the ,church and the country2 but my own consciousness tells me that ,i have learned little1 experienced little1 done little in comparison of what ,i might and ought to have known and done4 ,by the grace of ,god ,i am spared2 by ,his grace ,i am what ,i am2 all my trust for salvation is in the efficacy of ,jesus' atoning blood4 ,i know whom ,i have trusted1 and am persuaded that ,he is able to keep that which ,i have committed unto ,him against that day4 ,i have no melancholy feelings or fears4 ,the joy of the ,lord is my strength4 ,i feel that ,i am now on the bright side of seventy-five4 ,as the evening twilight of my earthly life advances1 my spiritual sun shines with increased splendour4 ,this has been my experience for the last year4 ,with an increased sense of my own sinfulness1 unworthiness1 and helplessness1 ,i have an increased sense of the blessedness of pardon1 the indwelling of the ,comforter1 and the communion of saints4 ,here1 on bended knees1 ,i give myself1 and all ,i have and am1 afresh to ,him whom ,i have endeavoured to serve1 but very imperfectly1 for more than threescore years4 ,all helpless1 myself1 ,i most humbly and devoutly pray that ,divine strength may be perfected in my weakness1 and that my last days on earth may be my best days--best days of implicit faith and unreserved consecration1 best days of simple scriptural ministrations and public usefulness1 best days of change from glory to glory1 and of becoming meet for the inheritance of the saints in light1 until my ,lord shall dismiss me from the service of warfare and the weariness of toil to the glories of victory and the repose of rest4 ,e4 ,ryerson4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,my father's eldest brother ,samuel was known as ,samuel ,ryerse1 in consequence of the manner in which his name was spelled in his ,army ,commission which he held2 but the original family name was ,ryerson4 #b ,this brother of ,dr4 ,ryerson's passed quietly away on the #aith of ,december1 #ahhb1 aged #ib4 ,dr4 ,ryerson died on the #aith of ,february of the same year1 aged #gi4 ,their father1 ,col4 ,ryerson1 died at the age of #id4--;,j4 ,g4 ,h4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 #ahbd-ahbe4 ,extracts from my diary of #ahbd and #ahbe4 ,the foregoing sketch of my early life may be properly followed by extracts from my diary2 pourtraying my mental and spiritual exercises and labours during a few months before and after ,i commenced the work of an itinerant ,methodist ,preacher4 ,the extracts are as follow1 and are very brief in comparison to the entire diary1 which extends over eight years from #ahbd1 to #ahcb1 after which time ,i ceased to write a daily diary1 and wrote in a journal the principal occurrences and doings in which ,i was concerned4#c ,hamilton1 ,august #abth1 #ahbd4--;,i arrived here the day after ,i left home4 ,mr4 ,john ,law 7with whom ,i am to study7 received me with all the affection and kindness of a sincere and disinterested friend4 ,even1 without expecting it1 he told me that his library was at my service2 that he did not wish me to join any class1 but to read by myself1 that he might pay every attention1 and give me every assistance in his power4 ,indeed he answered my highest expectation4 ,i am stopping with ,mr4 ,john ,aikman4 ,he is one of the most respectable men in this vicinity4 ,i shall be altogether retired4 ,at the ,court of ,assize1 the ,chief-,justice and the ,attorney-,general will stop here1 which will make a very agreeable change for a few days4 ,to pursue my studies with indefatigable industry1 and ardent zeal1 will be my set purpose1 so that ,i may never have to mourn the loss of my precious time4 ,aug4 #afth4--,this day ,i commenced my studies by reading ,latin and ,greek with ,mr4 ,law4 ,i began the duties of the day in imploring the assistance of ,god2 for without ,him ,i cannot do anything4 ,god has been pleased to open my understanding1 to enlighten my mind1 and to show me the necessity and blessedness of an unreserved and habitual devotion to his heavenly will4 ,i have heard ,bishop ,hedding preach1 also ,rev4 ,nathan ,bangs4 ,i am resolved to improve my time more diligently1 and to give myself wholly to ,god4 ,oh1 may his long-suffering mercy bear with me1 his wisdom guide1 his power support and defend me1 and may his mercy bring me off triumphant in the dying day6 ,aug4 #agth4--,i have been reading ,virgil's ,georgics4 ,i find them very difficult1 and have only read seventy lines4 ,in my spiritual concerns ,i have been greatly blessed2 and felt more anxiously concerned for my soul's salvation1 have prayed more than usual1 and experienced a firmer confidence in the blessed promises of the ,gospel4 ,i have enjoyed sweet intercourse with my ,saviour1 my soul resting on his divine word1 with a prayerful acquiescence in his dispensations4 ,but alas6 what evil have ,i done1 how much time have ,i lost1 how many idle words have ,i spoken2 how should these considerations lead me to watch my thoughts1 to husband my time with judgment1 and govern my tongue as with a bridle6 ,oh1 ,lord bless me and prosper me in all my ways and labours1 and keep me to thyself6 ,aug4 #ahth4--,the ,lord has abundantly blessed me this day both in my spiritual and classical pursuits4 ,i have been able to pursue my studies with facility1 and have felt his ,holy ,spirit graciously enlightening my mind1 showing me the necessity of separating myself from the world1 and being given up entirely to his service4 ,aug4 #aith4--,i have this day proved that1 with every temptation1 the ,lord makes a way for my escape4 ,i have enjoyed much peace4 ,oh1 ,lord1 help me to improve my precious time1 so as to overcome the assaults and escape the snares of the adversary6 ,aug4 #bjth4--,in all the vicissitudes of life1 how clearly is the mysterious providence and superintending care of ,jehovah manifested6 how strikingly can ,i observe the divine interposition of my heavenly ,father1 and how sensibly do ,i realize his benevolence1 kindness1 and mercy in the whole moral and blessed economy of his equitable and infinitely wise government6 ,on no object do ,i cast my eyes without observing an affecting instance of a benevolent and overruling power2 and1 while in mental contemplations my mind is absorbed1 my admiration rises still higher to the exalted purposes and designs of ,almighty ,god4 ,i behold in the soul noble faculties1 superior powers of imagination1 and capacious desires1 unfilled by anything terrestrial1 and wishes unsatisfied by the widest grasp of human ambition4 ,what is this but immortality8 ,oh1 that my soul may feed on food immortal6 ,another week is gone1 eternally gone6 ,what account can ,i give to my ,almighty ,judge for my conduct and opportunities8 ,has my improvement kept pace with the panting steeds of unretarded time8 ,must ,i give an account of every idle word1 thought1 and deed8 ,oh1 merciful ,god6 if the most righteous1 devoted1 and holy scarcely are saved1 where stall ,i appear8 ,how do my vain thoughts1 and unprofitable conversation1 swell heaven's register8 ,where is my watchfulness6 ,where are my humility1 purity1 and hatred of sin8 ,where is my zeal8 ,alas6 alas6 they are things unpractised1 unfelt1 almost unknown to me4 ,how little do ,i share in the toils1 the labours1 or the sorrows of the righteous1 and consequently how little do ,i participate in their confidence1 their joys1 their heavenly prospects8 ,oh1 may these awful considerations drive me closer to ,god1 and incite to a more diligent improvement of my precious time1 so that ,i may bear the mark of a real follower of ,christ6 ,aug4 #bbnd4--,sabbath4--,when ,i arose this morning ,i endeavoured to dedicate myself afresh to ,god in prayer1 with a full determination to improve the day to his glory1 and to spend it in his service4 ,accordingly1 ,i spent the morning in prayer1 reading1 and meditation2 but when ,i came to mingle with the worldly-minded1 my devotions and meditations were dampened and distracted1 my thoughts unprofitable and vain4 ,i attended a ,methodist ,class-meeting where ,i felt myself forcibly convinced of my shortcomings4 ,sure ,i am that unless ,i am more vigilant1 zealous1 and watchful1 ,i shall never reach the ,paradise of ,god4 ,i must be willing to bear reproach for ,christ's sake1 confess him before men1 or ,i never can be owned by him in the presence of his ,father1 and the holy angels4 ,merciful ,god6 forbid that ,i should barter away my heavenly inheritance for a transient gleam of momentary joy1 and the empty round of worldly pleasure3 ,help me to watch and pray1 ,and on thyself rely1 ,assured if ,i my trust betray1 ,i shall forever die4 ,aug4 #bcrd4--,i have been abundantly prospered in my studies to-day2 and have been enabled to maintain an outward conformity in my conduct4 ,but alas6 how blind to my own interest1 to deprive myself of the highest blessings and exalted honours the ,almighty has to bestow4 ,oh1 ,lord6 help me henceforth to be wise unto salvation4 ,may ,i be sober and watch unto prayer6 ,amen4 ,aug4 #bdth4--,through the mercy of ,god ,i have been enabled in a good degree to overcome my besetments1 and have this day maintained more consistency in conversation and conduct4 ,still ,i feel too much deterred by the fear of man1 and thirst too ardently for the honours of the world4 ,merciful ,god6 give me more grace1 wisdom1 and strength1 that ,i may triumphantly overcome and escape to heaven at last6 ,i shall finish the first book of the ,georgics to-day1 which is the seventh day since ,i commenced them4 ,i expect to finish them in four weeks from this time4 ,my mind improves1 and ,i feel much encouraged4 ,my labour is uniform and constant1 from the dawn of day till near eleven at night4 ,i have not a moment to play on the flute4 ,aug4 #beth4--,there is nothing like implicit trust in the ,almighty for assistance1 protection1 and assurance6 ,his past dispensations and dealings with me leave not the least suspicion of his inviolable veracity1 and his efficacious promises cheer the sadness1 calm the fears of every soul that practically reposes in and seeks after him4 ,the truth of this1 blessed be ,god1 ,i have in some measure experienced to-day4 ,help me1 ,o ,lord1 with increasing grace to attain still more sublime enjoyments and triumphant prospects6 ,aug4 #bfth4--,i feel a growing indifference to worldly pleasures1 and increasing love to ,god1 to holiness1 and heaven4 ,entire confidence in a superintending ,providence heals the wounded heart of even the disconsolate widow1 and gives the oil of joy for sorrow1 and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness4 ,aug4 #bgth4--,this day ,i attended a funeral2 those connected with it were very ignorant2 how strikingly this showed to me the advantages of a good education4 ,god forbid that ,i should idle away my golden moments4 ,help me to choose the better part1 and honour ,god in all things6 ,aug4 #bhth4--,the labours of another week are ended2 during it ,i have enjoyed much of the presence of ,god2 surely the religion of ,christ dazzles all the magnificence of human glory2 were ,i only to regard the happiness of this life1 ,i would embrace its doctrines1 practice its laws1 and exert my influence for its extension4 ,aug4 #bith4--,sabbath4--,the blessings of the ,lord have abundantly surrounded me this day1 and my heart has been enlarged4 ,aug4 #cjth4--,in observing my actions and words this day1 ,i find ,i have done many things that are culpable2 and yet1 blessed be ,god1 his goodness to me is profuse4 ,help me to watch and pray that ,i enter not into temptation4 ,aug4 #cast4--,how many youths around me do ,i see trifling away the greatest part of their time1 and profaning their ,maker's name8 ,my soul magnifies ,his name that ,i have decided to be on the ,lord's side2 how many evils have ,i escaped2 how many blessings obtained2 what praise enjoyed1 through the influence of this religion4 ,to ,god be all the glory6 ,september #ast4--,in no subject can we employ our thoughts more profitably than on the atonement of ,christ1 and justification through his merits4 ,with wonder we gaze on the love of ,deity2 with profound awe we behold a ,god descending from heaven to earth4 ,unbounded love6 ,unmeasured grace6 ,and while in deep silence his death wraps all nature2 while his yielding breath rends the temple and shakes earth's deep foundations2 may my redeemed soul in silent rapture tune her grateful song aloft2 and fired by this blood-bought theme1 may ,i mend my pace towards my heavenly inheritance6 ,i generally close up the labours of the day by writing a short essay or theme on some religious subject4 ,in doing this ,i have two objects in view3 the improvement of my mind and heart4 ,and what could be more appropriate than to close the day by reflection upon ,god1 and heaven1 and time1 and eternity8 ,no private employment1 except that of prayer1 have ,i found more pleasing and profitable than this4 ,youth is the seed-time of the life that now is1 as well as of that which is to come4 ,youthful piety is the germ of true honour1 lawful prosperity1 and everlasting blessedness4 ,one day of humble1 devotional piety in youth will add more to our happiness at the last end of life than a year of repentance and humiliation in old age4 ,i have no intention of entering the ministry1 and yet ,i prefer religious topics4 ,to-day ,i have chosen the atonement of our ,lord1 and have written a few thoughts on it4 ,sept4 #bnd4--,implicit trust in a superintending ,providence is a constant source of comfort and support to me4 ,sept4 #crd4--,god has blessed me to-day in my studies4 ,i have also felt the efficacy of ,divine aid4 ,help me still1 most merciful ,god6 ,sept4 #dth4--,in the course of the past week ,i have experienced various feelings1 especially with respect to the dealings of ,divine ,providence with me2 but in all ,i have had this consolation1 that whatever happens1 the will of the ,lord be done4 ,it is my duty to perform and obey4 ,sept4 #eth4--,this morning ,i attended church and heard a sermon on ,ezekiel xviii4 #bg4 ,when we consider the importance of repentance1 its connection with our eternal happiness1 surely every feeling heart1 and ministers especially1 should exhibit with burning zeal the conditions of salvation1 the slavery of vice1 the heinousness of sin1 the vanity of human glory1 and the uncertainty of life4 ,sept4 #fth4--,when ,i laid aside my studies to commit my evening thoughts to paper1 my mind wandered on various subjects1 until much time was lost2 the best antidote against this is1 not to put off to the next moment what can be done in this4 ,we should be firm and decided in all our pursuits1 and whatever our minds find to do1 do it with all our might4 ,sept4 #gth4--,the mutual dependence of men cements society1 and their social intercourse communicates pleasure4 ,if we are called to endure the pains and inconveniences of poverty1 possessing this we forget all2 and in the pleasant walks of wealth1 it adds to every elegance a charm4 ,friendship associated with religion1 elevates all the ties of ,christian love and mutual pleasure4 ,sept4 #hth4--,i have found myself too much mingled with the common crowd1 and like others1 too indifferent to the subject of all others the chief4 ,sept4 #ith4--,we cannot serve ,god and ,mammon4 ,may ,i be firm in my attachment to the ,saviour1 remembering that godliness has the promise of the life that now is1 and of that which is to come4 ,sept4 #abth4--,i heard a practical sermon on making our calling and election sure1 which closed with these words1 ,he that calleth upon the name of the ,lord shall be saved4 ,i felt condemned on account of my negligence1 and resolved1 by ,god's help1 to gain victory over my tendency to inconsistencies of life and conduct4 ,sept4 #adth4--,i observe men embarked on the stream of time1 and carried forward with irresistible force to that universal port which shall receive the whole human family4 ,amongst this passing crowd1 how few are there who reflect upon the design and end of their voyage2 surfeited with pleasure1 involved in life's busy concerns1 the future1 with its awful realities1 is forgotten and time1 not eternity1 is placed in the foreground4 ,sept1 #aeth4--,in a letter to my brother ,george1 to-day1 ,i said3--,it would be superfluous for me to tell you that the letter ,i received from you gave me unspeakable pleasure4 ,your fears with respect to my injuring my health are groundless1 for ,i must confess ,i don't possess half that application and burning zeal in these all-important pursuits that ,i ought to have4 ,for who can estimate the value of a liberal education8 ,who can sufficiently prize that in which all the powers of the human mind can expand to their utmost and astonishing extent8 ,what industry can outstretch the worth of that knowledge1 by which we can travel back to the remotest ages1 and live the lives of all antiquity8 ,nay1 who can set bounds to the value of those attainments1 by which we can1 as it were1 fly from world to world1 and gaze on all the glories of creation2 by which we can glide down the stream of time1 and penetrate the unorganized regions of uncreated futurity8 ,my heart burns while ,i write4 ,although literature presents the highest objects of ambition to the most refined mind1 yet ,i consider health1 in comparison with other temporal enjoyments1 the most bountiful1 and highest gift of heaven4 ,i have read three books of the ,georgics1 and three odes of ,horace1 but this last week ,i have read scarcely any1 as ,i have had a great deal of company1 and there has been no school4 ,but ,i commence again to-day with all my might4 ,the ,attorney-,general stops at ,mr4 ,aikman's during ,court4 ,i find him very agreeable4 ,he conversed with me more than an hour last night1 in the most sociable1 open manner possible4 ,sept4 #afth4--,there is nothing of greater importance than to commence early to form our characters and regulate our conduct4 ,observation daily proves that man's condition in this world is generally the result of his own conduct4 ,when we come to maturity1 we perceive there is a right and a wrong in the actions of men2 many who possess the same hereditary advantages1 are not equally prosperous in life2 some by virtuous conduct rise to respectability1 honour1 and happiness2 while others by mean and vicious actions1 forfeit the advantages of their birth1 and sink into ignominy and disgrace4 ,how necessary that in early life useful habits should be formed1 and turbulent passions restrained1 so that when manhood and old age come1 the mind be not enervated by the follies and vices of youth1 but1 supported and strengthened by the ,divine ,being1 be enabled to say1 ,o ,god1 thou hast taught me from my youth1 and now when ,i am old and grey-headed1 ,o ,god1 thou wilt not forsake me6 ,sept4 #bast4--,i have just parted with an old and faithful friend1 who has left for another kingdom4 ,how often has he kindly reproved me1 and how oft have we gone to the house of ,god together6 ,we may never meet again on earth1 but what a mercy to have a good hope of meeting in the better land6 ,sept4 #bcrd4--,when ,i reflect on the millions of the human family who know nothing of ,christ1 my soul feels intensely for their deliverance4 ,what a vast uncultivated field in my own country for ministers to employ their whole time and talents in exalting a crucified ,saviour4 ,has ,god designed this sacred task for me8 ,if it be ,thy will1 may all obstacles be removed1 my heart be sanctified and my hands made pure4 ,sept4 #bfth4--,i have been much oppressed with a man-fearing spirit1 but what have ,i to fear if ,god be for me8 ,oh1 ,lord1 enable me to become a bold witness for ,jesus ,christ6 ,sept4 #bhth4--,in all the various walks of life1 ,i find obstructions and labours1 surrounded with foes1 powerful as well as subtle2 although ,i have all the promises of the ,gospel to comfort and support me1 yet find exertion on my own part absolutely necessary4 ,when heaven proclaims victory1 it is only that which succeeds labour4 ,i consider it a divine requisition that my whole course of conduct1 both in political and social life1 should be governed by the infallible precepts of revelation2 hypocrisy is inexcusable1 even in the most trifling circumstances4 ,sept4 #bith4--,i find difficulties to overcome in my literary pursuits1 ,i had never anticipated2 and it is only by the most indefatigable labour ,i can succeed4 ,i am much oppressed by the labours of this day4 ,i need ,divine aid in this as well as in spiritual pursuits4 ,sept4 #cjth4--,i have been enabled to study with considerable facility4 ,prayer ,i find the most profitable employment1 practice the best instructor1 and thanksgiving the sweetest recreation4 ,may this be my experience every day6 ,october1 #bnd4--,i am another week nearer my eternal destiny6 ,am ,i nearer heaven1 and better prepared for death than at its commencement8 ,do ,i view sin with greater abhorence8 ,are my views of the ,deity more enlarged8 ,is it my meat and drink to do his holy will8 ,oh1 my ,god1 how much otherwise6 ,from the #crd to the #ith ,oct4--,during this period the afflicting hand of ,god has been upon me2 thank ,god1 when distressed with bodily pain1 ,i have felt a firm assurance of ,divine favour1 so that all fear of death has been taken away4 ,my soul is too unholy to meet a holy ,god1 and mingle with the society of the blest4 ,oh1 ,god1 save me from the deceitfulness of my own heart6 ,oct4 #ajth1 ,sabbath4--,i am rapidly recovering health and strength4 ,the ,lord is my refuge and comfort4 ,surrounded by temptations1 the applause of men is often too fascinating1 and my treacherous heart dresses things in false colours4 ,but1 bless ,god1 in his goodness and mercy he recalls my wandering steps1 and invites me to dwell in safety under the shadow of his wing4 ,oct4 #aath4--,no graces are of more importance than patience and perseverance4 ,they give consistency and dignity to character4 ,we may possess the most sparkling talents and the most interesting qualities1 but without these graces1 the former lose their lustre1 and the latter their charms4 ,in religion their influence is more important1 as they form the character1 by enabling us to surmount difficulties and remove obstacles4 ,i am far from thinking them constitutional virtues1 with a little additional cultivation1 but ,i consider them the gift of heaven1 less common than is generally imagined1 though sometimes faintly counterfeited4 ,they differ from natural or moral excellence in this being the proper and consistent exercise of those virtues4 ,oct4 #abth4--,it is two weeks to-day since ,i first wrote home4 ,a week ago ,i received a kind letter from my brother ,george1 but was too ill with fever to read it1 or to write in reply until to-day4 ,i said3 ,i feel truly thankful to you for the tender concern and warm interest which you express in your letter4 ,tell my dear ,mother that ,i share with her her afflictions1 and that ,i am daily more forcibly convinced that every earthly comfort and advantage is transient and unsatisfactory1 that this is not our home1 but that our highest happiness amidst these fluctuating scenes1 is to insure the favour and protection of him who alone can raise us above afflictions and calamities4 ,november #bjth4--,more than a month has elapsed since ,i recorded my religious feelings and enjoyments on paper4 ,during this period1 ,i have sometimes realized all the pleasures of health2 at other times1 borne down with pain and sickness1 the spirit would be cast down4 ,at such seasons of depression1 religion would come in as my only comfort1 and with the ,psalmist ,i would exclaim1 ,hope thou in ,god1 for ,i shall yet praise him who is the light of my countenance1 and my ,god4 ,thus ,i find from blessed experience1 that in every state and condition1 union and intercourse with ,god brings true peace1 joy1 trust1 and praise4 ,if there be any honour1 here it is4 ,if there be any wealth1 this is it4 ,i would rather be a door-keeper in the house of my ,god than dwell in the tents of wickedness4 ,o ,lord1 give me more of the mind of ,christ6 ,nov4 #beth4--,in entering on the field of life1 ,i find my mind much perplexed with the variety of objects presented to my view4 ,the comforts and tranquility of domestic happiness attract my attention1 and excite warm desires in my heart4 ,am ,i not to taste the pleasures which two hearts reciprocally united in one1 mutually communicate8 or must ,i give up the home of domestic enjoyment to the calls of duty1 and the salvation of men8 ,has heaven designed that ,i should spend my days in seeking the lost sheep of the ,house of ,israel8 ,may divine wisdom direct me1 and suffer me not to follow the dictates of my own will6 ,nov4 #bfth4--,by taking a retrospective view of what is past1 we learn to ask more wisely in the time to come4 ,the cool dictates of reason1 assisted by that inward monitor1 conscience1 placed within the breast of every individual1 strongly condemns every deviation from propriety1 justice1 or morality4 ,by mingling with society we learn human nature1 and the scenes of public resort afford us a field for useful observation1 yet retirement is the place to acquire the most important knowledge--the knowledge of ourselves4 ,what would it avail us to dive into the mysteries of science1 or entertain the world with new discoveries1 to acquaint ourselves with the principles of morality1 or learn the whole catalogue of ,christian doctrines1 if we are unacquainted with our own hearts1 and strangers to the business of self-government8 ,february #abth1 #ahbe4--;,during the long period since ,i last penned my religious meditations1 my feelings1 hopes1 and prospects have been extremely varied4 ,while ,i was promising myself health and many temporal pleasures1 ,god saw fit to show me the uncertainty of earthly things1 and the necessity and wisdom of submission to his will1 by the rod of affliction4 ,during my sickness ,i have derived much pleasure and profit from the visits of pious friends1 so that ,i have felt it is good to be afflicted4#d ,feb4 #acth4--,i am resolved1 by ,god's assisting grace1 to keep the following resolutions3--7#a7 ,endeavour to fix my first waking thoughts on ,god2 7#b7 ,by rising early to attend to my devotions1 and reading the ,scriptures2 7#c7;,by praying oftener each day1 and maintaining a more devotional frame of mind2 7#d7 ,by being more circumspect in my conduct and conversation2 7#e7 ,by improving my time more diligently in reading useful books1 and study2 7#f7 ,by watching over my thoughts1 and keeping my desires within proper bounds2 7#g7 ,by examining myself more closely by the scripture rule2 7#h7 ,by leaving myself and all that concerns me to ,god's disposal2 7#i7 ,by reviewing every evening the actions of the day1 and especially every ,sabbath1 examining wherein ,i have come short1 or have kept ,god's precepts4 ,feb4 #afth4--,i have lately been closely employed in reading ,bishop ,burnet's ,history of the ,reformation4 ,how sad to reflect on the cruelties that were then practised against the professors of true religion6 ,what a reason for thankfulness that the sway of papal authority can no longer inflict papal obligations on the consciences of men6 ,but after careful research into this highly authentic history1 ,i find but few vestiges of that apostolic purity which churchmen so boastfully attribute to that memorable period of ,christian history4 ,great allowance1 is1 however1 to be made when we consider that they were just emerging out of the superstitions of popery4 ,that doctrines1 discipline1 and ceremonies1 cannot be established without the royal assent1 even when they are approved both by ecclesiastical and legislative authority1 is a practice so different from anything that the ,primitive ,church authorizes1 it seems to me to originate from quite a different source2 that a whole nation should be bound in their religious opinions by a single individual1 savours so much of popery1 ,i think it may properly be called its offspring4 ,pretentions to regal supremacy in church affairs were never made till a late period1 although this interference of papal authority in matters entirely spiritual1 does not annul any ecclesiastical power1 or prove its doctrines to be corrupt1 or its ordinations illegal4 ,it may be justly ranked among the invasions of modern corruption4 ,feb4 #agth4--,since ,i drew up1 four days since1 several resolutions for amendment1 ,i bless ,god ,i have reason to believe ,i have made some improvement4 ,i have applied myself more closely to study1 prayed oftener1 and governed my thoughts with more rigour4 ,feb4 #bgth4--,i am now emerging into life1 surrounded by blessings and opportunities for usefulness and improvement2 but1 alas6 where is my gratitude1 my love to ,god1 my zeal for his cause1 and for the salvation of those who are ignorant of the great truths of the ,gospel8 ,if1 ,o ,god1 thou hast designed this awfully important work for me1 qualify me for it2 increase and enlarge my desires for the salvation of immortal souls6 ,march #aeth4--,this day ,i have recommenced my studies with ,mr4 ,john ,law1 at ,hamilton4 ,how necessary that ,i should be very careful in my conduct for the credit of religion and ,methodism6 ,march #bdth4--,i have this day finished twenty-two years of my life4 ,i have decided this day to travel in the ,methodist ,connexion and preach ,jesus to the lost sons of men4 ,oh1 the awful importance of this work6 ,how utterly unfit ,i am for the undertaking6 ,how little wisdom1 experience1 and1 above all1 grace do ,i possess for the labours of the ministry6 ,blessed ,jesus1 fountain of wisdom1 ,god of power1 ,i give myself to thee1 and to the ,church1 to do with me according to thy will4 ,instruct and sanctify me1 that whether ,i live1 it may be to the ,lord1 and when ,i die it may be to the ,lord6 ,april #crd4--,easter ,sunday4--,i this day commenced my ministerial labours4 ,bless the ,lord1 he has given me a heart to feel4 ,he hears my prayer4 ,oh1 my soul1 hang all thy hopes upon the ,lord6 ,forbid ,i should seek the praise of men1 but may ,i seek their good and ,god's glory4 ,in the morning ,i endeavoured to speak from ,ps4 cxxvi4 #e1 and in the evening from ,acts ii4 #bd--;a subject suitable for the day2 bless the ,lord1 ,i felt something of the power of my ,saviour's resurrection resting on my soul4 ,april #hth4--,the ,lord being my helper1 my little knowledge and feeble talents shall be unreservedly devoted to his service4 ,i do not yet regret giving up my worldly pursuits for the welfare of souls4 ,i want ,christ to be all in all4 ,april #ajth4--,sabbath4--,i endeavoured this morning to show the abundant provisions1 the efficacy1 and the triumphs of the ,gospel from ,isaiah xxv4 #f1 #g1 #h1 and in the afternoon ,i described the righteous man and his end from ,prov4 xiv4 #cb4 ,i felt much of the presence of the ,lord1 and ,i do bless the ,lord he has converted one soul in this place to-day4 ,i feel encouraged to go on4 ,april #acth4--,i have been depressed in spirit on account of having no abode for domestic retirement1 and becoming exposed to all the besetments of public life4 ,april #aeth4--,so bowed down with temptation to-day1 ,i almost resolved to return to my native place4 ,but1 in ,god's strength1 ,i will try to do my best during the time ,i have engaged to supply my brother ,william's place4 ,april #afth4--,in reading ,rollin's account of the conquest of ,babylon1 ,i conceive more exalted ideas of the truth of the ,word of ,god1 whose predictions were so exactly fulfilled in the destruction of that city4 ,april #agth4--,sabbath4--,my labours this day have been excessive1 having delivered three discourses4 ,in the morning my mind was dull and heavy1 in the afternoon warm and pathetic1 in the evening clear and fertile4 ,i feel encouraged to continue on4 ,april #bcrd4--,i feel nothing but condemnation in reviewing the actions of the past week4 ,would it not be better for me to return home until ,i gain better government over myself4 ,oh1 ,lord1 ,i throw myself upon thy mercy6 ,take not thy ,holy ,spirit from me6 ,restore unto me the joy of thy salvation6 ,april #beth and #bfth4--,and thus ,i go on1 depressed and refreshed2 almost discouraged because of the way1 and then cheered by the kind and fatherly conversation of ,rev4 ,thomas ,madden4 ,april #bith4--,in travelling to-day a tree fell across the road four or five rods before me1 and another not far behind1 but ,i escaped unhurt4 ,my heart glowed with gratitude2 ,i felt that the ,lord was indeed my protector4 ,but whilst so narrowly escaping myself1 two persons1 a woman and her son1 who were travelling a short distance behind me1 were suddenly killed by the falling of a tree1 and thus in an instant hurried into eternity4 ,may #dth4--,i watched to-day a large concourse of people assembled to witness horse-racing4 ,i stood at a distance that ,i might observe an illustration of human nature4 ,curiosity and excitement were depicted in every countenance4 ,what is to become of this thoughtless multitude8 ,is there no mercy for them8 ,surely there is4 ,why will they not be saved8 ,because they will not come to ,him4 ,may #eth4--,during the day ,i preached once1 to a listening but wicked assembly4 ,in the afternoon ,i heard my brother ,william4 ,i was affected by the force of his reasoning1 and the power of his eloquence4 ,i hope the ,lord will help me to imitate his piety and zeal4 ,may #gth4--,a camp-meeting was commenced this afternoon on ,yonge ,street1 near the town of ,york4 ,rev4 ,thomas ,madden preached from1 ,lord help me6 ,every countenance indicated interest1 and every heart appeared willing to receive the word4 ,in the evening a pious1 aged man spoke 7,mr4 ,d4 ,y47 ,his discourse was full of ,god4 ,several were converted and made very happy4 ,may #hth4--,the people rose at #e a4m4 ,after prayers and breakfast1 there was a prayer meeting1 daring which ,god was especially present4 ,at #h a4m4 ,i preached from ,hosea xiii4 #c4 ,this was followed by two exhortations2 then ,rev4 ,rowley ,heyland preached from1 ,buy the truth1 and sell it not4 ,about two o'clock the people were again assembled to hear the ,rev4 ,james ,richardson 7formerly a lieutenant in the ,british ,navy7 from the words1 ,be ye reconciled to ,god4 ,his style was plain but unadorned1 his reasoning clear1 and his arguments forcible4 ,the services concluded with the celebration of the ,lord's ,supper4 ,about three hundred communicated1 sixty-two professed to have obtained the pardon of their sins1 and forty-two gave their names as desirous of becoming members of the ,methodist ,society4 ,after this1 a concluding address was delivered by the ,rev4 ,wm4 ,ryerson1 in which he gave particular directions to the ,methodists as subjects under the civil constitution1 as members of the ,church of ,christ1 as parents1 as children1 as individuals4 ,he animadverted on the groundless and disingenuous aspersions that had been thrown out through the press against ,methodism1 on account of the suspected loyalty of its constitutional principles4 ,he warmly insisted on a vigorous observance1 support1 and respect for the ,civil ,government1 both from the beneficence of its laws and the equity of its administration1 as well as from the authority of ,god4 ,the concluding ceremony was the most affecting ,i ever witnessed1 especially in the affection which the people showed for their ministers4 ,may #abth4--,i have this day ridden nearly thirty miles1 preached three times1 and met two classes4 ,i felt very much fatigued1 yet the ,lord has given me strength equal to my day4 ,may #aith4--,i have been much blessed in the society of pious friends4 ,a part of the week ,i felt very sick1 but was greatly comforted by the conversation and affectionate treatment of my kindest friend1 ,mrs4 ,smith4 ,since ,i commenced labouring for my ,master ,i have found fathers and mothers1 brothers and sisters1 all ready to supply my every want4 ,may #bdth4--,a ,camp-meeting commenced at ,mount ,pleasant4 ,the presence of both ,mississauga and ,mohawk ,indians added greatly to the interest of the meeting4 ,peter ,jones addressed his people in their own tongue2 although ,i did not understand1 ,i was much affected by his fervency and pathos4 ,he spoke in ,english in a manner that astonished all present4 ,another ,indian ,chief addressed his brethren in the ,mohawk tongue4 ,i could not understand a word of it1 but was carried away with his pathos and energy4 ,these ,indians thanked the white people for sending them the ,gospel4 ,he said that upwards of sixty ,indians had been converted1 and could testify that ,god had power to forgive sin4 ,he1 i4e41 a young ,chippewa said that the most earnest desire and prayer of the ,christian ,indians was that ,god would drive the horrid whiskey from their nation4 ,it was truly affecting to see this young man arise and testify in the presence of ,god and this large assembly1 that he had the witness in his own soul1 that ,god for ,christ's sake had forgiven all his sins4 ,the congregation was much moved1 and prayers and praises were heard in every part of the assembly4 ,at the close of the exercises1 on the following day1 the ,mohawk ,chief said1 ,they considered that they belonged to the ,methodist ,church1 as they had done all for them4 ,may #bith4--,for many days ,i have been cast down by a weight of care4 ,my ,father is exceedingly anxious that ,i should return home1 and remain with him during his lifetime4 ,a position in the ,church of ,england has presented itself1 and other advantageous attractions with regard to this world1 offer themselves4#e ,it makes my heart bleed to see the anxiety of my parents4 ,but is it duty8 ,if they were in want ,i would return to them without hesitation1 but when ,i consider they have everything necessary1 can it be my duty to gratify them at the expense of the cause of ,god8 ,surely if a man may leave father and mother to join himself to a wife1 how much more reasonable to leave all to join himself to the ,christian ministry4 ,my parents are dear to me1 but my duty to ,god is dearer still4 ,one thing do ,i desire1 that ,i may live in the ,house of the ,lord for ever6 ,and shall ,i leave a ,church through whose faithful instructions ,i have been brought to know ,god1 for any advantages that the entrance to another might afford me8 ,no1 far be it from me2 as ,i received the ,lord ,jesus1 so ,i will walk in him4 ,earthly distinctions will be but short2 but the favour of ,god will last forever4 ,besides1 is it a sacrifice to do my duty8 ,is it not rather a cause of gratitude that ,i know my duty1 and am allowed to perform it8 ,my heart is united with the ,methodists1 my soul is one with theirs2 my labours are acceptable1 and they are anxious that ,i should continue with them4 ,i believe in their ,articles1 ,i approve of their ,constitution1 and ,i believe them to be of the ,church of ,christ4 ,saltfleet1 ,may #cjth4--,amongst ,dr4 ,ryerson's papers ,i find the two following letters4 ,the first addressed from ,saltfleet1 on this day1 to his brother ,george2 the second to his ,mother on the following day4--,j4 ,g4 ,h4 ,to his brother1 ,rev4 ,george ,ryerson1 he said3 ,i suppose your first inquiry is to know my spiritual condition and prospects4 ,as to my religious enjoyments1 ,i think that ,i have reason to believe ,i am daily blessed with the divine presence to enlighten1 to instruct1 and to assist me in my researches and meditations1 and in the other arduous duties ,i have to discharge4 ,never did ,i so sensibly feel the importance of the work in which ,i am now engaged1 as ,i have these few days past4 ,i feel that ,i am altogether inadequate to it2 but ,god has in a very special manner1 at different times1 been my wisdom and strength4 ,i do not feel sorry that ,i have commenced travelling as a preacher4 ,i think ,i feel more deeply the worth of souls at heart4 ,i feel willing to spend my all1 and be spent in the cause of ,god1 if ,i may become the unworthy instrument in doing some good to the souls of men4 ,the greatest assistance ,i receive in my public labours1 is that which results from a firm dependence on ,god for light1 life1 and power4 ,when ,i forget this ,i am visited with that barrenness of mind1 and hardness of heart which are always the companions of those who live at a distance from ,god4 ,in discharging every public duty1 my prayer to ,god is1 to renew my commission afresh1 and give me wisdom and energy1 and ,i do not find him slack concerning his promise4 ,i am striving to pursue my studies with unabating ardour4 ,my general practice is to retire at ten o'clock1 or before1 and rise at five4 ,when ,i am travelling1 ,i strive to converse no more than is necessary and useful1 endeavouring at all times to keep in mind the remark of ,dr4 ,clarke1 that a preacher's whole business is to save souls1 and that that preacher is the most useful who is the most in his closet4 ,on my leisure days ,i read from ten to twenty verses of ,greek a day1 besides reading history1 the ,scriptures1 and the best works on practical divinity1 among which ,chalmers' has decidedly the preference in my mind1 both for piety and depth of thought4 ,these two last studies employ the greatest part of my time4 ,my preaching is altogether original4 ,i endeavour to collect as many ideas from every source as ,i can2 but ,i do not copy the expression of any one4 ,for ,i do detest seeing blooming flowers in dead men's hands4 ,i think it my duty1 and ,i try to get a general knowledge1 and view of any subject that ,i discuss before-hand2 but not unfrequently ,i have tried to preach with only a few minutes previous reflection4 ,remember me to my dear ,mother1 and give her this letter to read1 and tell her that ,i will write soon4 ,saltfleet1 ,may #cast4--,to his ,mother he writes3 ,my dear ,mother1 ,i am thankful to say that ,i am well1 and am trying in a weak way to serve the ,lord1 and persuading as many others to do so as ,i can4 ,i feel that ,i am almost destitute of every necessary qualification for so important a work4 ,the ,lord has blessed me in a very special manner at many different times4 ,our prospects are very favourable in some places4 ,our congregations are generally large1 and still increasing4 ,we have twenty-four appointments in four weeks4 ,i have formed some very useful and pious acquaintances since ,i left home4 ,the ,lord seems to be with me1 and renders my feeble efforts acceptable in general4 ,my acquaintance seems to be sought by all classes1 and ,i try to improve such advantages in spreading1 by my example and conversation1 the blessed religion of ,christ among all ranks4 ,i have many temptations to contend with1 and many trials to weigh me down at times4 ,some of these arise from a sense of the injustice which ,i have done to important subjects1 on account of my ignorance1 which drives me to a throne of grace1 and a closer application to my studies4 ,my situation is truly a state of trial1 and none but ,god could support and direct me4 ,and ,i do feel the comforting and refreshing influence of his divine power at times very sensibly4 ,i am determined1 by his assistance1 never to rest contented until he not only becomes my wisdom1 but my sanctification1 and my full redemption4 ,and blessed be the ,lord1 my dear ,mother1 ,i do feel a hope1 and a confidence that the same divine power and goodness which supports and comforts you in your ill state of health1 and which gives you victory over your trials1 and consolation in your distress1 will conduct me1 too1 through this stormy maze1 and we shall yet have the blessedness of meeting at our ,father's table in ,heaven4 ,and ,god being my helper1 my dear ,mother1 when you have gone home to rest with ,god1 ,i am determined to pursue the same path1 which you have strewn with prayers1 with tears1 and living faith1 until ,i reach the same blessed port4 ,i hope that you will pray that the ,lord would help and save me forever6 ,if ,i had no other inducement to serve ,god1 and walk in the path of religion1 but your comfort1 ,i would try and devote my life to it while ,i live2 but when ,heaven's transcendant glory beams forth in prospective view1 my soul burns to possess the kingdom1 and my heart is enlarged for the salvation of others4 ,i wish you would get ,george to write immediately1 and let me know the state of your mind1 and your opinion about my returning home1 also his own opinion on that subject4--,j4 ,g4 ,h4 ,july #bnd4--,this week has been a season of trial4 ,i have left my ,father's house once more1 and arrived on my ,circuit4 ,july #crd4--,sabbath4--,i have preached twice to-day in ,niagara for the first time2 felt very embarrassed1 but my trust was in ,god1 and my prayer to ,him for assistance4 ,july #dth4--,this evening ,i have been distressed in mind on account of leaving my parents4 ,my heart melts within me when ,i think of my ,father's faltering voice1 when lying on his bed he said1 ,good-bye1 ,egerton1 and reached forth his trembling hand1 saying by his countenance that he never expected to see his son a resident in his house again4 ,he laid himself back in his bed in apparent despair1 no more to enjoy the society of the child he loved4 ,oh1 my ,god6 is it not too much for humanity8 ,nature sinks beneath the weight4 ,it is only ,god that can sustain4 ,may ,i endure manfully to the end6 ,july #fth and #gth4--,i have been much interested in reading ,dr4 ,coke's discourses1 also ,wesley's sermons on ,the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,july #ith4--,i have crossed the river to the ,united ,states to-day for the first time4 ,the manners of the people are not pleasant to me4 ,july #ajth--,sabbath4--,the ,lord has greatly blessed me this day4 ,i have preached three times4 ,my heart overflowed with love for immortal souls4 ,many wept1 and ,god's people seemed stirred up to engage afresh in ,his service4 ,in the evening1 ,i preached to very a wicked congregation1 from ,matt4 xvi4 #bd4 ,my mind was clear1 particularly in argument1 but they seemed to be unaffected4 ,july #adth4--,i have been afflicted with illness1 but the ,lord has comforted me4 ,again had to mourn over light conversation1 still ,i think ,i have gained some victory4 ,i am determined to watch and pray until ,i obtain a triumph over this trying besetment4 ,july #agth4--,i felt so ill this morning that ,i could not attend my appointment1 but recovered so as to preach feebly in the afternoon4 ,the ,word seemed to rest with power on the people4 ,july #bast4--,for several days ,i have been much interested in reading ,fletcher's ,portrait of ,st4 ,paul4 ,when ,i compare my actions and feelings with the standard there laid down1 ,i blush on account of my ignorance in the duties and labours connected with my calling4 ,did the ministers of the ,gospel obtain and possess a deeper communion with ,god8 ,did they cultivate primitive piety in their lives1 and ,gospel simplicity in their preaching1 surely the power of darkness could not stand before them6 ,how many learned discourses are entirely lost in the wisdom of words1 whereas plain and simple sermons1 delivered with power and demonstration of the ,spirit1 have been attended with astonishing success4 ,july #bgth4--,i have been considerably agitated in my mind for the last two days1 having lost my horse4 ,the fatigue in searching for her has been considerable4 ,thank ,god she is found6 ,july #cast--,sabbath4--,greatly blessed in attending a ,quarterly meeting in ,hamilton2 also in hearing an interesting account of the ,indians receiving their presents at ,york4 ,peter ,jones had written to ,col4 ,givens to enquire just what time they must be there1 stating that as many of them had become ,christianized and industrious1 they did not want to lose time4 ,the ,colonel was surprised at the news1 and replied1 giving the necessary information4 ,peter ,jones' letter was shown to ,rev4 ,dr4 ,strachan and ,his ,excellency the ,governor4 ,it excited great curiosity4 ,when the ,indians arrived1 the ,colonel had1 as usual1 brought liquor to treat them1 but as ,peter ,jones informed him the ,christian ,indians would not drink1 he very wisely said the others should not have it either1 and sent it back4 ,how the ,lord honours those who honour ,him4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,strachan and several ladies and gentlemen assembled to see the distribution of presents4 ,the ,christian ,indians were requested to separate from the others1 that they might read and sing4 ,the company was much pleased1 and ,dr4 ,strachan prayed with them4 ,on the following ,sabbath1 the ,dr4 visited the ,credit settlement1 and attended one of the meetings which was addressed by ,peter ,jones4 ,dr4 ,strachan proposed their coming under the superintendence of the ,church of ,england2 but after holding a council1 they declined1 deciding to remain under the direction of the ,methodists4 ,may the ,lord greatly prosper his work amongst them1 preserve them from every delusive snare1 and may their happy souls be kept blameless unto the day of ,jesus ,christ6 ,august #ast4--,this day ,i have been admitted into the ,methodist ,connexion1 licensed as a ,local ,preacher1 and recommended tn the ,annual ,conference to be received on trial4 ,how awful the responsibility6 ,how dreadful my condition if ,i violate my charge or deal deceitfully with souls6 ,oh1 ,god1 assist me to declare ,thy whole counsel6 and help me to instruct by example as well as precept4 ,how swiftly am ,i gliding down time's rapid stream6 ,i am daily reminded of the uncertainty and shortness of life4 ,i went to-day to visit a friend1 and 7as usual7 smilingly came to the door1 when behold6 all was mourning and sorrow6 ,an infant son had just taken its everlasting flight to the arms of ,jesus4 ,he was a fine boy1 active and promising1 but he had suddenly gone to return no more6 ,the father's philosophy forsakes him now2 parental feeling has uncontrolled sway4 ,i recommended religion as the only sufficient support and comfort4 ,i touched on the mysterious government of ,god2 that truly ,clouds and darkness are round about him4 yet righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne4 ,i pointed out the happiness of the beloved babe1 which should lead us to devote our all to ,his service1 that we might eventually share in the unspeakable blessedness to which the lovely infant is now raised4 ,aug4 #ajth4--,my soul rejoices at the news ,i have heard from home1 that my eldest brother 7,george7 has resolved to join the ,methodists1 and become a missionary among the ,indians4 ,how encouraging and comforting the thought that four of us are now united in the same ,church1 and pursue the same glorious calling4 ,my ,father has become reconciled1 and my ,mother is willing to part with her sons for the sake of the ,church of ,christ4 ,aug4 #adth--,sabbath4--,never did ,i feel my pride more mortified in the discharge of public duty4 ,i was desirous of delivering a discourse1 in ,niagara1 which would meet the approbation of all1 after carefully adjusting the subject1 by the assistance of a variety of authors2 but through fatigue 7having rode twelve miles71 and embarrassment1 ,i was scarcely able to finish4 ,my heart felt hard and my mind barren1 conscience reproached me that ,i had not acted with a single eye to the glory of ,god4 ,in the afternoon1 ,i threw myself on the mercy of ,god2 my tongue was loosened and my heart warmed4 ,surely1 ,they that trust in the ,lord shall not be confounded4 ,aug4 #agth4--,this morning a lady died with whom ,i had considerable conversation on the subject of ,methodism1 and on the propriety of her daughters joining the society contrary to her wish4 ,she appeared to be satisfied with my account of the principles and nature of ,methodism1 but did not like to acknowledge the propriety of her daughters' proceedings1 although her judgment seemed convinced as ,i adverted to the principles of her own church4 ,i am informed that yesterday she said1 ,the girls are right and ,i am wrong4 ,how comforting this must be to her daughters1 who have entirely overcome her opposition by their kindness1 affection1 and gospel simplicity4 ,aug4 #bbnd4--,yesterday ,i delivered a discourse on the subject of ,missions1 for the purpose of forming a ,missionary ,society in this place 7,niagara74 ,september #crd1 #ahbe4--;,i took tea this afternoon at ,youngstown1 ,u4,s41 for the first time4 ,sept4 #fth4--,had the pleasure of meeting my brother to-day1 whom ,i have not seen for a year4 ,how comforting to meet with those who are not only near by the ties of nature1 but much more by the changing power of divine grace4 ,sept4 #ith4--,have been greatly benefitted to-day by hearing ,bishop ,hedding preach from ,rev4 iii4 #e4 ,sept4 #afth4--,i bless ,god for what mine eyes hath seen1 and mine ears have heard to-day1 being the first anniversary of the ,canadian ,missionary ,society4 ,the ,hon4 ,john ,willson1 ,m4,p4,p41 was requested to take the chair4 ,several ,indians1 who had been brought to a knowledge of the truth1 through the efforts of this ,society1 were present and spoke4 ,how delightful to see the warlike ,mohawk1 and the degraded ,mississauga1 exchanging the heathen war-whoop for the sublime praise of the ,god of love6 ,this is the commencement of greater things which the ,lord will do for the aboriginies of ,canada4 ,sept4 #bcrd4--,i have this day received my appointment for ,york and ,yonge street4 ,never did ,i feel more sensibly the necessity of ,divine help4 ,help me1 ,o ,god1 to go forth in ,thy strength1 and contend manfully under the banner of ,christ6 ,amen4 ,,footnotes3 #c ,these voluminous diaries and journals are full of detail1 chiefly of ,dr4 ,ryerson's religious experience4 ,they are rich in illustration of the severe mental and spiritual disciplinary process--self-imposed--through which he passed during these eventful years of his earlier life4 ,they are singularly severe in their personal reflections upon his religious shortcomings1 and want of watchfulness4 ,they are tinged with an asceticism which largely characterized the religious experience of many of the early ,methodist preachers of ,mr4 ,wesley's time--an asceticism which strongly marked the ,methodist biography and writings1 which were almost the only religious reading accessible to the devoted ,methodist pioneers of this country1--,j4 ,g4 ,h4 #d ,in a previous and subsequent chapter ,dr4 ,ryerson refers more particularly to this illness 7pp4 #bh1 #ci1 and elsewhere74 ,it was a turning point in his life1 and decided him to enter the ministry on his twenty-second birthday4--,j4 ,g4 ,h4 #e ,dr4 ,ryerson refers in another chapter to the overtures which were made to him at this time to enter the ministry of the ,church of ,england4--,j4 ,g4 ,h4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 #ahbe-ahbf4 ,first ,year of my ,ministry and ,first ,controversy4 ,my first appointment after my admission on trial was to the 7what was then called the ,york and ,yonge ,street ,circuit71 which then embraced the ,town of ,york 7now the ,city of ,toronto7 ,weston1 the ,townships of ,vaughan1 ,king1 ,west ,gwillimbury1 ,north ,gwillimbury1 ,east ,gwillimbury1 ,whitchurch1 ,markham1 ,pickering1 ,scarboro'1 and ,york1 over which we travelled1 and preached from twenty-five to thirty-five sermons in four weeks1 preaching generally three times on ,sabbath and attending three class meetings1 besides preaching and attending class meetings on week days4 ,the roads were 7if in any place they could be called roads7 bad beyond description2 could only be travelled on horse-back1 and on foot2 the labours hard1 and the accommodations of the most primitive kind2 but we were received as angels of ,god by the people1 our ministrations being almost the only supply of religious instruction to them2 and nothing they valued more than to have the preacher partake of their humble and best hospitality4 ,it was during the latter part of this the first year of my itinerant ministry 7,april and ,may1 #ahbf7 that ,i was drawn and forced into the controversy on the ,clergy ,reserves and equal civil and religious rights and privileges among all religious persuasions in ,upper ,canada4#f ,there had been some controversy between the leaders of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland on their comparative standing as established churches in ,upper ,canada4 ,in my earliest years1 ,i had read and studied ,blackstone's ,commentaries on the laws of ,england1 especially the rights of the ,crown1 and ,parliament and ,subject1 ,paley's ,moral and ,political ,philosophy2 and when ,i read and observed the character of the policy1 and state of things in ,canada1 ,i felt that it was not according to the principles of ,british liberty1 or of the ,british ,constitution2 but ,i had not the slightest idea of writing anything on the subject4 ,at this juncture1 7,april1 #ahbf17 a publication appeared1 entitled ,sermon ,preached and ,published by the ,venerable ,archdeacon of ,york1 in ,may1 #ahbf1 on the ,death of the ,late ,bishop of ,quebec1 containing a sketch of the rise and progress of the ,church of ,england in these provinces1 and an appeal on behalf of that ,church to the ,british ,government and ,parliament4 ,in stating the obstacles which impeded the progress of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada1 the memorable ,author of the able discourse attacked the character of the religious persuasions not connected with the ,church of ,england1 especially the ,methodists1 whose ministers were represented as ,american in their origin and feelings1 ignorant1 forsaking their proper employments to preach what they did not understand1 and which1 from their pride1 they disdained to learn2 and were spreading disaffection to the civil and religious institutions of ,great ,britain4 ,in this sermon1 not only was the status of the ,church of ,england claimed as the ,established ,church of the ,empire1 and exclusively entitled to the ,clergy ,reserves1 or one seventh of the lands of ,upper ,canada1 but an appeal was made to the ,imperial ,government and ,parliament for a grant of #cjj1jjj per annum1 to enable the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada1 to maintain the loyalty of ,upper ,canada to ,england4 ,and these statements and appeals were made ten years after the close of the war of #ahab-ahae1 by the ,united ,states against ,britain1 with the express view of conquering ,canada and annexing it to the ,united ,states2 and during which war both ,methodist preachers and people were conspicuous for their loyalty and zeal in defence of the country4 ,the ,methodists in ,york 7now ,toronto7 at that time 7#ahbf7 numbered about fifty persons1 young and old2 the two preachers arranged to meet once in four weeks on their return from their country tours1 when a social meeting of the leading members of the society was held for conversation1 consultation1 and prayer4 ,one of the members of this company obtained and brought to the meeting a copy of the ,archdeacon's sermon1 and read the parts of it which related to the attacks upon the ,methodists1 and the proposed method of exterminating them4 ,the reading of those extracts produced a thrilling sensation of indignation and alarm1 and all agreed that something must be written and done to defend the character and rights of ,methodists and others assailed1 against such attacks and such a policy4 ,the voice of the meeting pointed to me to undertake this work4 ,i was then designated as ,the ,boy ,preacher1 from my youthful appearance1 and as the youngest minister in the ,church4 ,i objected on account of my youth and incompetence2 but my objections were overruled1 when ,i proposed as a compromise1 that during our next country tour the ,superintendent of the ,circuit 7,rev4 ,james ,richardson71 and myself should each write on the subject1 and from what we should both write1 something might be compiled to meet the case4 ,this was agreed to1 and at our next social monthly meeting in the town1 inquiry was made as to what had been written in defence of the ,methodists and others1 against the attacks and policy of the ,archdeacon of ,york4 ,it was found that the ,superintendent of the ,circuit had written nothing2 and on my being questioned1 ,i said ,i had endeavoured to obey the instructions of my senior brethren4 ,it was then insisted that ,i must read what ,i had written4 ,i at length yielded1 and read my answer to the attacks made on us4 ,the reading of my paper was attended with alternate laughter and tears on the part of those present1 all of whom insisted that it should be printed1 ,i objecting that ,i had never written anything for the press1 and was not competent to such a task1 and advanced to throw my manuscript into the fire1 when one of the elder members caught me by the arms1 and another wrenched the manuscript out of my hands1 saying he would take it to the printer4 ,finding my efforts vain to recover it1 ,i said if it were restored ,i would not destroy it but rewrite it and return it to the brethren to do what they pleased with it4 ,i did so4 ,two of the senior brethren took the manuscript to the printer1 and its publication produced a sensation scarcely less violent and general than a ,fenian invasion4 ,it is said that before every house in ,toronto might be seen groups reading and discussing the paper on the evening of its publication in ,june2 and the excitement spread throughout the country4 ,it was the first defiant defence of the ,methodists1 and of the equal and civil rights of all religious persuasions2 the first protest and argument on legal and ,british constitutional grounds1 against the erection of a dominant church establishment supported by the state in ,upper ,canada4 ,it was the ,loyalists of ,america1 and their descendants1 in ,upper ,canada who first lifted up the voice of remonstrance against ecclesiastical despotism in the province1 and unfurled the flag of equal religious rights and liberty for all religious persuasions4 ,the sermon of the ,archdeacon of ,york was the third formal attack made by the ,church of ,england clergy upon the characters of their unoffending ,methodist brethren and those of other religious persuasions2 but no defence of the assailed parties had as yet been written4 ,in a subsequent discussion on another topic1 referring to this matter1 ,i said3 ,up to this time not a word had been written respecting the clergy of the ,church of ,england1 or the ,clergy ,reserve question1 by any minister or member of the ,methodist ,church4 ,at that time the ,methodists had no law to secure a foot of land1 on which to build parsonages1 ,chapels1 and in which to bury their dead2 their ministers were not allowed to solemnize matrimony2 and some of them had been the objects of cruel and illegal persecution on the part of magistrates and others in authority4 ,and now they were the butt of unprovoked and unfounded aspersions from two heads of ,episcopal ,clergy1 while pursuing the 'noiseless tenor of their way1' through trackless forests and bridgeless rivers and streams1 to preach among the scattered inhabitants the unsearchable riches of ,christ4#g ,the ,review1 in defence of the ,methodists and others against such gratuitous and unjust imputations1 consisted of about thirty octavo pages1 appeared over the signature of ,a ,methodist ,preacher2 it was commenced near ,newmarket1 in a cottage owned by the late ,mr4 ,elias ,smith1 whose wife was a sister of the ,lounts--a woman of great excellence4 ,it was written piecemeal in the humble residences of the early settlers1 in the course of eight days1 during which time ,i rode on horseback nearly a hundred miles and preached seven sermons4 ,on its publication ,i pursued my country tour of preaching1 c41 little conscious of the storm that was brewing2 but on my return to town1 at the end of two weeks1 ,i received newspapers containing four replies to my ,review--three of them written by clergymen1 and one by a scholarly layman of the ,church of ,england4 ,in those replies to the then unknown author of the ,review1 ,i was assailed by all sorts of contemptuous and criminating epithets--all denying that the author of such a publication could be a ,methodist ,preacher1--but was an ,american1 a rebel1 a traitor1--and that the ,review was the prodigious effort of a party4 ,my agitation was extreme2 finding myself1 against my own intention and will1 in the very tempest of a discussion for which ,i felt myself poorly prepared1 ,i had little appetite or sleep4 ,at length roused to a sense of my position1 ,i felt that ,i must either flee or fight4 ,i decided upon the latter1 strengthened by the consciousness that my principles were those of the ,british ,constitution and in defence of ,british rights4 ,i devoted a day to fasting and prayer1 and then went at my adversaries in good earnest4 ,in less than four years after the commencement of this controversy1 laws were passed authorising the different religious denominations to hold land for churches1 parsonages1 and burying grounds1 and their ,ministers to solemnize matrimony2 while the ,legislative ,assembly passed1 by large majorities1 resolutions1 and addresses to the ,crown against the exclusive pretensions of the ,church of ,england to the ,clergy ,reserves and being the exclusive established ,church of ,upper ,canada1 though the ,clergy ,reserve question itself continued to be discussed1 and was not finally settled until more than ten years afterwards4 ,several months after the commencement of this controversy ,i paid my first annual visit to my parents1 and for the first two days the burden of my ,father's conversation was this controversy which was agitating the country4 ,at length1 while walking in the orchard1 my ,father turned short1 and in a stern tone1 said1 ,egerton1 they say that you are the author of these papers which are convulsing the whole country4 ,i want to know whether you are or not8 ,i was compelled to acknowledge that ,i was the writer of these papers1 when my ,father lifted up his hands1 in an agony of feeling1 and exclaimed1 ,my ,god6 we are all ruined6 ,the state of my own mind and the character of my labours during this first year of my ministry1 may be inferred from the following brief extracts from my diary3-- ,october #dth1--,i have this evening arrived on my ,circuit at ,york4 ,i feel the change to be awfully important1 and entirely inadequate to give proper instruction to so intelligent a people4 ,the ,lord give me his assisting grace4 ,i am resolved to devote my time1 my heart1 my all1 to ,god without reserve4 ,i do feel determined1 by ,god's assistance1 to rise early1 spend no more time than is absolutely necessary1 pray oftener1 and more fervently1 to be modest and solemn in the discharge of my public duties--to improve every leisure moment by reading or meditation1 and to depend upon the assistance of ,almighty ,god for the performance of every duty4 ,oh1 ,lord1 assist an ignorant youth to declare thy great salvation6 ,oct4 #ith4--,commenced my labours this day4 ,in the morning1 the ,lord was very near to help me1 giving me a tongue to speak1 and a heart to feel4 ,but in the evening1 after ,i got through my introduction1 recollection failed and my mind was entirely blank4 ,for nearly five minutes ,i could scarcely speak a word2 after this my thoughts returned4 ,this seemed to be the hand of ,god1 to show me my entire weakness4 ,oct4 #afth--,sabbath4--,oh1 ,god1 water the efforts of this day with thy grace6 ,if ,i am the means of persuading only one soul to embrace the ,lord ,jesus1 ,i shall be amply rewarded4 ,paul planted1 ,apollos watered1 but ,god gave the increase4 ,i ,cor4 iii4 #f4 ,oct4 #bjth4--,once more1 my ,saviour1 ,i renew my covenant and give myself away2 'tis all that ,i can do4 ,oct4 #bgth4--,for several days past the ,lord has been very gracious to my soul1 and has greatly helped me in declaring ,his glorious counsels4 ,but to-day1 my heart felt very hard while preaching to a company of graceless sinners4 ,it was in a tavern1 and ,i doubt the propriety of preaching in such places4 ,oct4 #cast4--,i am one month nearer my end2 am ,i so much nearer ,god and heaven8 ,there are many precious hours ,i can give no favourable account of4 ,had ,i been more faithful1 ,i might have led some poor wanderer into the way of truth4 ,oh1 ,god1 enter not into judgment with me6 ,spare the barren fig-tree a little longer4 ,november #dth--,friday 7,fast ,day47--,one reason why my labours are not more blessed1 is because ,i feel and know so little of spiritual things myself4 ,there is too much of self about me4 ,when1 gracious ,lord1 when shall it be1 ,that ,i shall find my all in ,thee2 ,the fulness of ,thy promise prove1 ,the seal of ,thine eternal love4 ,nov4 #fth4--,i felt greatly blessed while addressing a large ,sabbath-school of more than a hundred scholars4 ,nov4 #gth4--,on this day1 the following letter was written from ,york by ,dr4 ,ryerson to his ,father4 ,he said3 ,on leaving the old home lately1 ,i promised to write to you1 my dear ,father1 and let you know how ,i am getting on4 ,i arrived here a few days after ,i left home4 ,i have received a letter from brother ,william1 who told me that his prospects are encouraging4 ,i received a letter also from brother ,john4 ,he reached ,perth about a fortnight after he left home1 and was cordially received by all classes4 ,he preached the ,sabbath after he got there to large and respectable congregations4 ,he was very much pleased with his appointment1 and his prospects are very favourable4 ,on the first evening of his preaching1 one professed to experience justification by faith1 and several were deeply convicted4 ,he thinks1 from several circumstances1 that his appointment is of ,god4 ,i am very well pleased with my appointment4 ,i travel with a person who is deeply pious1 a true and disinterested friend1 and a very respectable preacher4 ,i travel about two hundred miles in four weeks1 and preach twenty-five times1 besides funerals4 ,i spend two ,sabbaths in ,york1 and two in the country4 ,our prospects on the circuit are encouraging4 ,in ,york we have most flattering prospects4 ,we have some increase almost every week4 ,our morning congregations fill the chapel1 which was never the case before2 and in the evening the chapel will not contain but little more than three-quarters of the people4 ,last evening several members of ,parliament were present4 ,i never addressed so large an audience before1 and ,i never was so assisted from heaven in preaching as at this place4 ,i have spent the last two ,sabbaths in ,york1 and ,i go to-day into the country4 ,i was requested yesterday to address the ,union ,sunday-school1 which contains about #aej or #bjj children4 ,it was a public examination of the ,school4 ,i never heard children recite so correctly1 and so perfectly before1 as they did4 ,there was quite a large congregation present1 as it was designed to make a contribution for the support of the ,school4 ,i first addressed a short discourse to the children1 and then addressed the assembly4 ,it was the most precious season that ,i ever experienced4 ,it is1 my dear ,father1 the most delightful employment ,i ever engaged in1 to proclaim the name of ,jesus to lost sinners4 ,i feel more firmly attached to the cause than ever4 ,the ,lord has comforted1 blessed1 and prospered me beyond my expectations4 ,i am resolved to devote all that ,i have and am1 to his service4 ,get ,george to write shortly all the news of the day4 ,remember me to my dear ,mother4--,h4 ,after writing to his ,father1 he wrote on the same day to his brother ,george1 as follows3-- ,i have just heard the ,governor's ,speech to the two ,houses of the ,legislature4 ,in the latter part of his address he hinted at a certain communication1 which1 by the permission of ,his ,majesty1 he would make by ,message1 to remove apprehensions that affected the civil rights of a very considerable part of the community4 ,as to my religious enjoyments1 ,i think that ,christ has been more precious to me than ever4 ,when ,i came into this ,circuit1 ,i began to fast and pray more than ever ,i had done before1 and the ,lord has greatly blessed me4 ,i have scarcely had a barren time in preaching4 ,i feel more strongly attached to the cause than ever4 ,while the ,lord will help1 ,i am resolved to go forward4 ,rev4 ,james ,richardson is a man of good sense1 and deep piety1 and a very acceptable and useful preacher4--,h4 ,nov4 #ajth4--,travelled twenty-two miles and preached twice4 ,my views of ,scripture of late have been obscure2 ,i can recall the truths to my mind1 but they don't make that impression they have hitherto done4 ,is this change of feeling inherent1 or the effect of neglect of duty1 and want of watchfulness8 ,i will examine this point more fully4 ,i know it is my privilege to enjoy peace with ,god1 but whether it be my privilege at all times to possess equal feeling1 ,i am not certain4 ,nov4 #bcrd4--,i think ,mr4 ,wesley's advice indispensably necessary1 to rise as soon as we wake4 ,i am resolved to be more punctual in rising for the time to come4 ,nov4 #bith4--,how painful does my experience prove the truth of the ,apostle1 that when ,i would do good evil is present with me4 ,i have thought sometimes it would be impossible to forget ,god1 or to be lukewarm in ,his cause2 but alas ,i am prone to evil continually4 ,december #adth4--,the ,lord has greatly delivered my soul from the burden of guilt and fear with which ,i have been so painfully bowed down for several days past2 and1 blessed be the name of the ,lord1 ,he begins to revive ,his work on the circuit4 ,five more have been added to the ,church this week4 ,glory to ,god for ,his mercy and love6 ,dec4 #cjth4--,a part of the day ,i spent in the ,legislature4 ,the first three months of last year ,i was in bad health1 confined to my bed part of the time4 ,the last nine months ,i have spent in trying to seek the lost sheep of the house of ,israel4 ,york1 ,january #ast1 #ahbf4--;,how faithful is the ,saviour to that promise1 ,lo1 ,i am with thee1 even to the end of the world4 ,though weak in body ,i have had to preach three times a day1 and travel many miles4 ,jesus has been very precious to my soul4 ,february #crd4--,i have travelled to-day in an ,irish settlement1 and preached twice to them4 ,my life is a scene of toil and pain1 ,i am far from well1 and far from parents and relatives4 ,while others enjoy all the advantages of domestic life1 ,i am doomed to deny myself4 ,oh1 my soul1 behold the example the ,saviour has set4 ,he had not where to lay his head4 ,is the servant above his ,lord8 ,feb4 #aath4--,for several days ,i have been visiting my friends4 ,i think they are improving in religious knowledge4 ,what an unspeakable blessing to see them showing a desire to walk in the narrow way that leads to life eternal4 ,feb4 #ahth4--,i have just returned to my ,circuit4 ,this is the first time ,i ever dropped appointments for the gratification of seeing my friends4 ,it has taught me the lesson1 that labouring in the vineyard of the ,lord is more blessed than any personal gratification4 ,feb4 #bhth4--,this month presents the most mournful portrait ,i have ever beheld in retrospect of my past time since ,i began to travel4 ,since ,i visited my friends everything has gone against me4 ,the season of recreation was not improved as it ought to have been2 ,i lost the unction of the ,holy ,one1 and returned to my ,circuit depressed in mind4 ,shall ,i sink down in despair8 ,no1 ,i will return unto the ,lord4 ,he has smitten1 ,he will heal4 ,i will go to the fountain open for sin and uncleanness4 ,i will renew my covenant1 and offer my poor all to him once more4 ,march #bcrd4--,this day closes my twenty-third year and the first of my ministry4 ,how mysterious was the providence which induced me to enter the itinerant ministry4 ,it was the ,lord's doing1 and it is marvellous in my eyes4 ,since ,i have devoted myself to ,him in a perpetual covenant1 how great has been ,his paternal care over me4 ,i have felt the rod of affliction1 but1 ,he has sanctified it4 ,i have been assailed by temptation1 but ,he has delivered me4 ,i have been caressed and flattered1 but the ,lord1 in great mercy1 has saved me from the dangerous rocks of vanity and pride4 ,my soul has at times been overspread with clouds and darkness1 but the ,sun of ,righteousness has again risen with brightness on his wings4 ,i have oft been cast down1 but blessed be the ,lord who has given me the oil of joy for mourning1 and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness4 ,my mind at times has been filled with doubts and fears1 and ,i have been tempted to say1 ,i have cleansed my heart in vain1 and washed my hands in innocency1 but the ,lord has saved my feet from slipping1 and established my goings upon a firm foundation4 ,he has put a new song into my mouth1 and enabled me to say1 ,what time ,i am afraid ,i will trust in ,thee4 ,april #agth4--,this day1 for the first time1 ,i have declared to the aborigines of the country that ,jesus is precious to those who believe4 ,my heart rejoiced in ,god1 who is claiming the heathen for ,his inheritance4 ,april #aith4--,on this day ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote from ,saltfleet to his ,mother4 ,he said3-- ,as you1 my dear ,mother1 were always anxious about my health1 ,i write to-day to assure you that since ,i left home it has been extremely good4 ,i think ,i am making some small progress in those attainments which are only acquired by prayer1 and holy devotedness to ,god4 ,i find the work ,i have undertaken is an all-important one4 ,i have many things to learn1 and many things to unlearn4 ,i have had some severe trials1 and some mortifying scenes4 ,at other times ,i have been unspeakably blessed1 and ,i have been greatly encouraged at some favourable prospects4 ,several times my views have been greatly enlarged1 and my mind enlightened1 while1 with a warm and full heart1 ,i have been trying to address a large and much affected congregation4 ,it is not my endeavour to shine1 or to please1 but to speak to the heart and the conscience4 ,and with a view to this1 ,i have aimed at the root of injurious prejudices1 and notions that ,i have found prevalent in different places4 ,i find1 by experience1 that a firm reliance on the power and grace of ,christ is everything4 ,i hope that you1 my dear ,mother1 will pray for me that the ,lord will give me grace1 power1 and wisdom to do my whole duty4 ,i am very sorry to hear of your ill-health4 ,i hope and pray that the ,father of all mercies will continue to support1 comfort1 and deliver you1 in the midst of your afflictions and sorrows4 ,blessed be the ,lord1 dear ,mother1 the day is not far distant when you can rest your weary spirit in the arms of ,jesus2 and should ,i survive you1 while you are pursuing the blessed1 triumphant theme of redeeming love1 in strains the most exalted1 ,i will endeavour in my feeble way to follow you to the same blessed kingdom4 ,brother ,william received a letter from ,john last week4 ,his health is very bad4 ,his excessive labour has overcome him4 ,he has forty appointments in four weeks4 ,he is now stationed in ,kingston4--,h4 ,april #beth4--,for several days past ,i have been altogether engaged in writing a controversial pamphlet1 and have attended little to the duty of self-examination4 ,april #bhth4--,i have been much blessed in reading the ,journal of ,john ,nelson4 ,when ,i compare the unwearied labours1 and severe sufferings of that brave soldier of the ,cross1 with my little efforts and sufferings1 ,i blush for my lukewarmness1 and am ashamed of my fearfulness4 ,may #ajth4--,in these early days1 the ,methodist ministers had but little time for study before commencing their ministerial labours1 and1 as ,dr4 ,ryerson often told me1 they had to resort to many expedients to secure the necessary time for reading and study4 ,this had often to be done on horseback4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's eldest brother1 ,george1 who had attended ,union ,college1 ,n4,y41 turned his advantages in this respect to a good account4 ,he sought to stimulate his younger brothers to devote every spare moment to suitable preparation for their work4 ,in reply to a letter on this subject1 from ,rev4 ,george ,ryerson to his brother ,william1 he said3-- ,i thank you for your kind advice respecting composition1 and shall endeavour to follow it1 although my necessary duties leave but very little time for literary improvement4 ,since ,i saw you1 ,i have been principally engaged in ,biblical studies which ,i find both profitable and interesting4 ,i am now engaged in reading the ,bible through in course with ,dr4 ,adam ,clarke's notes1 also ,paley's books4 ,i received a letter from brother ,john a few days since4 ,he had received a number into the ,society1 and there were a number more who appeared to be seriously awakened4 ,elder ,madden1 who was at ,york last week1 says that ,egerton is well1 and that the cause of religion is prospering in ,york1 and on the ,yonge ,street ,circuit4 ,we have had but very little increase in ,niagara since ,i saw you1 although our congregation is very large and attentive4--,h4 ,may #ahth4--,in writing to-day to his brother ,george1 ,dr4 ,ryerson mentioned that he and ,elder ,case had visited the ,credit ,indians4 ,elder ,case1 he said1 had come up to get ,mrs4 ,wm4 ,kerr 7ne ,brant7 to correct the translation of one of the ,gospels1 and some hymns1 in order to have them printed4 ,he also wished ,peter ,jones to go down and preach to the ,indians on the ,bay of ,quinte 7,tyendinaga74 ,it was there1 he said1 that the work of religion had begun to spread among them4 ,about twelve had experienced religion1 and others are under awakening4 ,they do not1 he said1 understand enough ,english to receive religious instruction in that language2 and1 therefore1 he wished ,peter ,jones to go down for two or three weeks4 ,in this letter ,dr4 ,ryerson said3 ,i think the cause of religion is prospering in different parts of the ,circuit4 ,upwards of thirty have been added to us in this town 7,york7 since ,conference1 and our present prospects are equally encouraging4 ,my colleague is a man who is wholly devoted to the work of saving souls4 ,i hope that ,god will give us an abundant harvest4 ,i am employing all my leisure time in the prosecution of my studies4 ,i also practice composition4 ,i am reading ,rollin's ,ancient ,history1 ,greek1 and miscellaneous works4 ,are ,father1 and ,mother1 and all the family well8 ,how are their minds disposed towards ,god and heaven8 ,we have formed a ,missionary ,society in this place4 ,i think we shall collect #dj or #ej4 ,i hope that period is not remote when the whole colony will be brought into a state of salvation6--,h4 ,june #gth4--,my mind has been much afflicted with care and anxiety1 for some days1 on account of the controversy in which ,i am engaged4 ,i feel it to be the cause of ,god2 and ,i am resolved to follow truth and the ,holy ,scriptures in whatever channel they will lead me4 ,oh1 ,lord1 ,i commend my feeble efforts to thy blessings6 ,grant me wisdom from above2 and take the cause into thy own hands1 for thy name's sake6 ,june #beth4--,i have spent some days in visiting my friends1 and also attending a ,camp-meeting4 ,the weather has been very unfavourable2 but the showers that watered the earth are now past1 and showers of ,divine blessing are descending4 ,the song of praise is ascending1 and sinners are crying for mercy4 ,oh1 ,lord1 carry on the glorious work6 ,july #gth4--,the enemy gained victory over me to-day1 by tempting me to neglect ,class for other employments4 ,but ,i was defeated4 ,company coming in1 ,i was hindered from doing what ,i desired4 ,conscience condemned1 and darkness and distress followed4 ,oh1 ,lord1 henceforth help me to do my duty6 ,july #ith4--,sabbath4--,i was called this evening to a drunken1 dying man4 ,he was entirely ignorant both of his bodily and spiritual danger4 ,what a scene6 ,an immortal soul just plunging into hell1 and yet hoping for heaven6 ,how awful is the state of one whom ,god gives over to believe a lie6 ,his life is ended1 his family destitute1 and his soul lost6 ,july #aith4--,surely nothing can afford more pleasure to an enquiring mind bent on historical researches1 than the perusal of documents relating to the ancient chosen people of ,god4 ,that a people who could1 according to their legitimate records1 number more than eight hundred thousand fighting men1 should slip from the records of men1 hide themselves from human observation1 and inhabit limits beyond geographical research1 is a phenomenon unprecedented in the world's history2 and that they should remain in this state more than two thousand years1 among the vast discoveries which travellers have made1 is still more surprising4 ,such is the wonderful government of ,him whose ways are past finding out4 ,i trust the day is not far distant when the lost will be found1 and the dead be alive6 ,july #bfth4--,for several days ,i have been holding meetings and conferences with the ,indians4 ,their hearts are open to receive instruction1 and their hands extended to receive the bread of life4 ,if the ,lord will open the way1 ,i will try to acquire a knowledge of their language4 ,my soul longs to bring them to the ,word of ,truth4 ,july #cjth4--,a day or two since ,i had the pleasure of seeing a brother whose ecclesiastical duties have separated us for nearly a year4 ,how many tender recollections of ,god's care and merciful dealings1 since our last meeting rushed upon our minds4 ,but while enabled to rejoice together1 we were called upon to mourn the loss of one brother1 taken away to the world of spirits4 ,august #agth4--,scarcely a day passes without beholding new openings to extend my ministerial labours4 ,to-day1 in an affecting manner1 ,i witnessed the hands of suffering humanity stretched forth to receive the word of life4 ,more than five hundred aborigines of the country were assembled in one place4 ,in a moral point of view1 they may be said to be sitting in the valley of the shadow of death4 ,the day star from on high has not yet dawned upon them4 ,alas6 are they to perish for lack of knowledge8 ,can not the dry bones live8 ,oh1 thou who art able to raise up children unto ,abraham6 speak the word1 devise the means1 and these long lost prodigals shall return to their father's house6 ,i noticed activity1 both in body and mind1 superior skill in curious workmanship2 genius flashed in their countenances2 and yet shall these noble powers be bound fast in the cruel chains of ignorance1 and these immortal spirits go from a rayless night to midnight tomb8 ,oh1 ,thou ,light of the ,world1 shine upon them6 ,one of their nation whom ,god has plucked as a brand from the burning1 attempted to explain the ,christian religion to them4 ,they listened and bowed assent1 saying ha1 ha4 ,oh1 ,lord1 if ,thou wilt qualify me and send me to dispense to them the ,bread of ,life1 ,i will throw myself upon ,thy mercy1 and submit to ,thy will4 ,august #bjth4--,amongst all the authors with whom ,i am acquainted1 who treat on ,church ,government1 the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,campbell is the most clear and satisfactory4 ,with a great deal of talent1 penetration1 and research1 he exhibits the ,church in all her various forms1 till her power made empires tremble1 and her riches bid defiance to poverty4 ,his excellent lectures have enlarged my mind on the subject of ecclesiastical polity1 and rendered my feelings more liberal4 ,i am convinced that form of government is best which most secures order and union in society4 ,august #bjth--,sabbath4--,to-day closes my ministerial labours at ,york1 where ,i have been stationed for two years4 ,many precious seasons have ,i enjoyed2 and1 blessed be the ,lord1 ,he has set ,his seal to my labours1 and ,i think ,i can call ,god to witness that ,i have not failed in my feeble way to declare the whole counsel of ,god4 ,oh1 ,lord1 seal it with ,thy ,spirit's power6 ,,footnotes3 #f ,a fuller reference to this subject will be found in ,chapters vi4 and viii4--,h4 #g ,letters to the ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper on ,the ,clergy ,reserve ,question2 as a ,matter of ,history1 a ,question of ,law1 and a ,subject of ,legislation4 ,toronto1 #ahci1 pp4 #aa1 #ab4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 #ahbf-ahbg4 ,missionary to the ,river ,credit ,indians4 ,at the ,conference of #ahbf1 ,i was appointed ,missionary to the ,indians at the ,credit1 but was required to continue the second year as preacher1 two ,sundays out of four1 in the ,town of ,york1 of which my elder brother1 ,william1 was superintendent1 including in his charge several other townships4 ,he was aided by a colleague1 who preached in the country1 but not in the town4 ,the ,chippewa tribe of ,indians had a tract of land on the ,credit ,river1 on which the ,government proposed to build a village of some twenty or thirty cottages1 with the intention of building a church for them and inducing them to join the ,church of ,england1 upon the pretext that the ,methodist preachers were ,yankees4 ,as my ,father had been a ,british officer1 and fought seven years during the ,american ,rebellion for the unity of the ,empire1 was the first ,high ,sheriff in the ,london ,district 7having been appointed in #ahjh72 and had1 with his sons1 fought in defence of the country in the war of the ,united ,states with ,great ,britain1 in #ahab-ahae1 and my father's elder brother having been the organizer of the ,militia and ,courts of the ,london ,district1 the name ,ryerson became a sort of synonym for loyalist throughout the official circles of the province2 and my appointment1 therefore1 as the first stationed ,missionary among the ,indians1 and from thence to other tribes1 was a veritable and standing proof that the imputation of disloyalty against the ,methodist ,missionaries was groundless4 ,when ,i commenced my labours among these poor ,credit ,indians 7about two hundred in number7 they had not entered into the cottages which the ,government had built for them on the high ground1 but still lived in their bark-covered wigwams on the flats beside the bank of the ,river ,credit4 ,one of them1 made larger than the others1 was used for a place of worship4 ,in one of these bark-covered and brush-enclosed wigwams1 ,i ate and slept for some weeks2 my bed consisting of a plank1 a mat1 and a blanket1 and a blanket also for my covering2 yet ,i was never more comfortable and happy3--,god1 the ,lord1 was the strength of my heart1 and-- ,jesus1 all the day long1 was my joy and my song4 ,illustration3 ,indian ,village at the ,river ,credit in #ahbg--,winter4 ,maintaining my dignity as a minister1 ,i showed the ,indians that ,i could work and live as they worked and lived4 ,having learned that it was intended by the advisers of the ,lieutenant-,governor1 on the completion of the cottages1 to erect an ,episcopal ,church of ,england for the absorption of the ,indian converts from the ,methodists into that ,church1 ,i resolved to be before them1 and called the ,indians together on the ,monday morning after the first ,sunday's worship with them1 and using the head of a barrel for a desk1 commenced a subscription among them to build a house for the double purpose of the worship of ,god and the teaching of their children4 ,never did the ,israelites1 when assembled and called upon by ,king ,david1 7as recorded in the #bith chapter of the first book of ,chronicles7 to subscribe for the erection of the ,temple1 respond with more cordiality and liberality1 in proportion to their means1 than did these converted children of the forest come forward and present their humble offerings for the erection of a house in which to worship ,god1 and teach their children4 ,the squaws came forward to subscribe from shillings to dollars1 the proceeds of what they might earn and sell in baskets1 mats1 moccasins1 c41 and the men subscribed with corresponding heartiness and liberality of the salmon that they should catch--which were then abundant in the river1 and which1 ,i think1 sold for about twelve and a half cents each4 ,on the same day1 a plan of the house was prepared1 and ,i engaged on my own individual responsibility1 a carpenter-mason1 by the name of ,priestman 7who had been employed by the ,government to build the ,indian cottages71 to build and finish the house for the double purpose of worship and school1 and then mounted my horse and visited my old friends in ,york1 on ,yonge ,street1 ,hamilton1 and ,niagara ,circuits1 and begged money to pay for all1 and at the end of six weeks the house was built and paid for1 while our swell friends of the ,government and of the ,church of ,england were consulting and talking about the matter4 ,it was thus that the ,church-standing of these ,indian converts was maintained1 and they were enabled to walk in the ,lord ,jesus as they had found ,him4 ,my labours this season were very varied and severe4 ,i had to travel to ,york 7eighteen miles7 on horseback1 often through very bad roads1 and preach two ,sundays out of four 7my second year in town74 ,after having collected the means necessary to build the house of worship and school-house1 ,i showed the ,indians how to enclose and make gates for their gardens1 having some knowledge and skill in mechanics4#h ,between daylight and sunrise1 ,i called out four of the ,indians in succession1 and showed them how1 and worked with them1 to clear and fence in1 and plow and plant their first wheat and corn fields4 ,in the afternoon1 ,i called out the school-boys to go with me1 and cut and pile1 and burn the underbrush in and around the village4 ,the little fellows worked with great glee1 as long as ,i worked with them1 but soon began to play when ,i left them4 ,in addition to my other work1 ,i had to maintain a heavy controversy with several clergymen of the ,church of ,england on ,apostolic ,ordination and ,succession1 and the equal civil rights and privileges of different religious denominations4#i ,a few months after my appointment to the ,credit ,indian ,mission1 the ,government made the annual distribution of presents to the ,georgian ,bay and ,lake ,simcoe ,indians--all of whom were assembled at the ,holland ,landing1 on the banks of the ,holland ,river1 at the southwest extremity of ,lake ,simcoe4 ,they consisted chiefly of the ,snake tribe1 the ,yellowhead tribe 7,yellowhead was the head ,chief71 and the ,john ,aissance tribe4 ,peter ,jones and ,i1 with ,john ,sunday1 had visited this tribe at ,newmarket1 the year before1 and preached to them and held meetings with them1 when they embraced the ,christian religion1 and remained true and faithful4 ,peter ,jones and myself attended the great annual meeting of the ,indians1 and opened the ,gospel ,mission among them4 ,in my first address1 which was interpreted by ,peter ,jones1 ,i explained to the assembled ,indians the cause of their poverty1 misery1 and wretchedness1 as resulting from their having offended the ,great ,being who created them1 but who still loved them so much as to send ,his ,son to save them1 and to give them new hearts1 that they might forsake their bad ways1 be sober and industrious2 not quarrel1 but love one another1 c4 ,i contrasted the superiority of the religion we brought to them over that of those who used images4 ,this gave great offence to the ,french ,roman ,catholic ,indian traders1 who said they would kill me1 and beat ,peter ,jones4 ,on hearing this1 ,col4 ,givens1 the ,chief ,indian ,superintendent1 called them together and told them that the ,missionary ,ryerson's father was a good man for the ,king1 and had fought for him in two wars--in the last of which his sons had fought with him--and that if they hurt one of these sons1 they would offend their great father the ,king2 that ,peter ,jones' father had surveyed ,government lands on which many of the ,indians lived4 ,this representative of the ,government1 a man of noble feelings and generous impulses1 threw over us the shield of ,royal protection4 ,after the issuing of the goods to the ,indians1 ,peter ,jones remained with the ,huron and ,georgian ,bay ,indians1 and preached to them with great power2 while ,i went on board a schooner1 with the ,yellowhead ,indians1 for the ,narrows1 on the northern shore of ,lake ,simcoe1 near ,orillia1 where the ,indians owned ,yellowhead 7now ,chief7 ,island1 and which ,i examined with a view of selecting a place for worship1 and for establishing a school4 ,a ,mission-school was established on this island4 ,it was afterwards removed by ,rev4 ,s4 7now ,dr47 ,rose and others to the mainland at ,orillia1 and was faithfully taught by the late ,william ,law 7#ahbg7 and by the ,rev4 ,s4 ,rose 7#ahca74 ,an amusing incident occurred during this little voyage on the schooner1 which was managed by the ,french traders who had threatened my life two days before4 ,the wind was light1 and the sailors amused themselves with music--one of them playing on a fife4 ,he was attempting to play a tune which he had not properly learned4 ,i was walking the deck1 and told him to give me the fife1 when ,i played the tune4 ,the ,frenchmen gathered around my feet1 and looked with astonishment and delight4 ,from that hour they were my warm friends1 and offered to paddle me in their canoes among the islands and along the shore wherever ,i wished to go4 ,by the advice of some of my brethren1 ,i called on the ,lieutenant-,governor1 ,sir ,peregrine ,maitland1 after ,i arrived in ,toronto1 for the purpose of giving him a general account of the progress of the ,christian religion amongst the ,indian tribes ,i said to him3-- ,the object ,i have in view is the amelioration of the condition of the ,indians in this ,province4 ,the importance of this1 both to the happiness of the ,indian tribes1 and the honour of the government under which they live1 has been deeply felt by the parent state1 so forcibly that a church was built and the ,protestant religion introduced amongst the ,six-,nations at the ,grand ,river1 about the beginning of the century4 ,this effort of ,christian benevolence has been so far successful as to induce some hundreds of them to receive the ordinances of the ,christian religion4 ,but the ,chippewa tribes have hitherto been overlooked1 till about four years ago1 when the ,methodists introduced the ,christian religion amongst them4 ,in a short time about one hundred embraced the religion of ,christ1 exhibiting every mark of a sound conversion4 ,their number soon increased1 and a whole tribe of ,mississaugas renounced their former superstitions and vices1 and became sober1 quiet ,christians4 ,they then felt anxious to become domesticated2 their desire being favourably regarded1 a village was established at the ,credit1 and houses built for them4 ,they have this season planted about forty acres of corn and potatoes1 which promise an abundant harvest4 ,about forty children attend the common school1 nearly twenty can write intelligibly1 and read the ,holy ,scriptures and the ,english ,reader4 ,at ,belleville a change especially interesting has been effected4 ,the work was commenced there about two years ago1 and now in their whole tribe1 numbering about two hundred1 there is not one drunkard6 ,they are also becoming domesticated and are building a village on one of their islands in the ,bay of ,quinte1 which they had squandered away in their drunken revels1 but which is now repurchased for them by some benevolent individuals4 ,a ,day and ,sunday ,school are established in which upwards of fifty children are taught4 ,from the ,belleville ,indians the ,gospel spread to the tribes which inhabit the country adjacent to ,rice ,lake4 ,here also may be seen a wonderful display of the power of ,god unto ,salvation to every one that believeth4 ,in less than a year1 the whole of this body1 whose census is #cjj1 renounced their idolatrous ceremonies and destructive habits1 for the principles1 laws and blessings of that kingdom which is righteousness1 peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,they are all1 save a few1 converted and changed in their hearts and lives1 and earnestly desire a settled life4 ,the uniform language of all1 so soon as they embrace the ,christian religion is1 ,let us have houses1 that we may live together in one place1 learn to till the ground1 hear the word of the ,great ,spirit1 and have our children taught to read the good book4 ,another field of ,christian labour is already ripe amongst the ,lake ,simcoe ,indians1 who number about #fjj souls4 ,about two months ago an opportunity opened for introducing the ,christian religion to them1 and such was their readiness to hear and believe the words of salvation1 that more than #ajj have already professed the ,christian faith1 and are entirely reformed4 ,a school is established in which forty are taught by a young man named ,william ,law1 lately from ,england4 ,this extensive reformation1 has been effected and continued1 by means1 which1 to all human appearance1 are altogether inadequate to the accomplishment of such a work4 ,a school at the ,grand ,river containing thirty scholars1 one at the ,credit forty1 another at ,belleville upwards of thirty1 and one lately established at ,lake ,simcoe containing forty1 and the missionaries who have been employed amongst the ,indians1 together with the boarding of a number of ,indian boys1 have only amounted to a little more than #aej per annum4 ,it is of the last importance to perpetuate and extend the impressions which have already been made on the minds of these ,indians4 ,the schools and religious instruction must be continued2 and the ,gospel must be sent to tribes still in a heathen state4 ,but in doing this our energies are weakened1 and the progress of ,christian labour much impeded by serious difficulties which it is in the power of the government to remove4 ,these obstacles are principally confined to the ,lake ,simcoe ,indians1 the most serious of which is occasioned by the traders1 who are ,roman ,catholic ,frenchmen1 employed to accompany the ,indians in their hunting for the purpose of procuring their furs1 and who are violently opposed to the reformation of the ,indians4 ,these traders are about eighty in number1 and have long been accustomed to defraud and abuse the ,indians in the most inhuman manner2 they have even laid violent hands on some of the converted ,indians1 and tried to pour whiskey down their throats2 but1 thank ,god1 have failed1 the ,indians successfully resisted them4 ,to shake the faith of some1 and deter others from reforming1 they have threatened to strip them naked in the winter1 when they were at a distance of #ajj miles from the white settlement1 and there leave them to freeze to death4 ,col4 ,givens1 when he was up issuing their presents about a month ago1 threatened the traders severely if they disturbed the ,indians in their devotions1 or did any violence to their teachers4 ,he also suggested the idea of your ,excellency issuing a proclamation to prevent any further abuses4 ,sir ,peregrine replied3 ,when the ,legislature meets1 ,i shall see if something can be done to relieve them more effectively1 but ,i do not think that ,i can do anything by the way of proclamation4 ,if1 upon deliberation1 ,i find that ,i can do something for them1 ,i shall certainly do it4 ,i observed3 ,the civil authority would be an ample security1 while the ,indians are among the white inhabitants2 but these abuses are practised when they are one or two hundred miles from the white settlements4 ,the traders follow them to their hunting grounds1 get them intoxicated1 and then get their furs for one fourth of their value1 nay1 sometimes take them by force4 ,these ,frenchmen are able-bodied men1 and have abused the ,indians so much they are afraid of them2 and1 therefore1 have not courage1 if they had strength to defend themselves4 ,under these circumstances your ,excellency will perceive the ,indians have no means of obtaining justice1 and from their remote situation the power of civil authority is merely nominal in regard to them4 ,his ,excellency observed1 ,i am very much obliged to you for this information2 ,i shall do all in my power for them4 ,,footnotes3 #h ,when about fourteen years of age1 an abridged ,life of ,benjamin ,franklin fell into my hands1 and ,i read it with great eagerness4 ,i was especially attracted by the account of his mechanical education and of its uses to him in after years1 during and after the ,american ,revolution1 when he became ,statesman1 ,ambassador1 and ,philosopher4 ,my father was then building a new house1 and ,i prevailed on him to let me work with the carpenter for six months4 ,i did so1 agreeing to pay the old carpenter a ,york shilling a day for teaching me4 ,during that time1 ,i learned to plane boards1 shingle1 and clapboard the house1 make window frames and log floors4 ,the little knowledge and skill ,i then acquired1 was of great service when ,i was labouring among the ,indians1 as well as my early training as a farmer4 ,i became head carpenter1 head farmer1 as well as missionary1 among these interesting people1 during the first year of their civilized life4 #i ,see note on p4 #he2 also ,chapters vi4 and viii4--,h4 ,,chapter ,v4 #ahbf-ahbg4 ,diary of my ,labours ,among the ,indians4 ,the following extracts from my diary contain a detailed account of my mental and spiritual exercises and labours at this time1 as well as many interesting particulars respecting the ,indians1 not mentioned in the foregoing chapter3-- ,credit1 ,september #afth1 #ahbf4--;,i have now arrived at my charge among the ,indians4 ,i feel an inexpressible joy in taking up my abode amongst them4 ,i must now acquire a new language1 to teach a new people4 ,sept4 #agth4--,this day ,i commenced my labours amongst my ,indian brethren4 ,my heart feels one with them1 as they seemed to be tenderly alive to their eternal interests4 ,may ,i possess every necessary gift to suffer labour1 and teach the truth as it is in ,jesus4 ,sept4 #bcrd4--,greatly distressed to-night on account of a sad circumstance4 ,three or four of the ,indians have been intoxicated2 and one of them1 in a fit of anguish1 shot himself6 ,this was caused by a wicked white man1 who persuaded them to drink cider in which he mixed whiskey4 ,see letter below4 ,sept4 #bdth4--,sabbath4--,i tried to improve the mournful circumstance that occurred yesterday1 as the ,indians seemed much affected on account of the awful death of their brother4 ,sept4 #beth4--,we have resolved upon building a house1 which is to answer the double purpose of a school-house1 and a place for divine worship4 ,in less than an hour these poor ,indians subscribed one hundred dollars1 forty of which was paid at once4 ,what a contrast1 a short time ago they would sell the last thing they had for whiskey2 now they economize to save something to build a ,temple for the true ,god6 ,sept4 #bfth4--,to-day ,i buried two ,indians1 one the man who committed suicide1 the other a new-born babe4 ,oct4 #hth4--,for many days ,i have been employed in an unpleasant controversy1 for our civil and religious rights1 which has taken much of my time and attention4 ,oct4 #ith4--,one of my brethren has been suddenly called from his labours1 to his eternal home4 ,alas6 my beloved ,edward ,hyland is no more4 ,he entered the field after me1 but he has gone before me6 ,oct4 #adth4--,i have been employed the whole week in raising subscriptions for the ,indian ,church2 we have now enough subscribed4 ,oct4 #aith4--,in a letter1 to-day1 to his brother ,george1 who wished to hear something about the ,indian work1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3 ,i have to attend to various things previous to settling myself permanently at the ,credit4 ,i preached there to the ,indians the two succeeding ,sabbaths after ,i left home1 and have been employed since that time in building a chapel for them at the ,credit4 ,the ,indians in general1 appear to be steadfast in their religious profession4 ,they are faithful in their religious duties1 and exemplary in their lives4 ,one unhappy circumstance occurred there4 ,see entry in ,diary of #bcrd ,september4 ,i preached a solemn discourse on the subject of guarding against temptation and intemperance the same day1 illustrating it throughout by this lamentable example4 ,the ,indians appeared to be much affected2 and1 ,i think1 through the mercy of ,god1 it has1 and will prove a salutary warning to them4 ,the ,indians were very spirited in building their chapel4 ,they made up more than a hundred dollars towards it1 and are willing to do more1 if necessary4 ,by going in different parts of the country1 ,i have got about enough subscribed and paid to finish it4 ,i have now permanently resided at the ,credit ,mission not quite a fortnight4 ,i board with ,john ,jones2 have a bed-room1 but no fire-place1 except what is used by the family4 ,i can speak a little ,mississauga1 and understand it pretty well4 ,as to my enjoyments in religion1 ,i have lately had the severest conflicts ,i ever experienced2 but at times the rich consolations of religion have flowed sweetly to my heart and ,god has abundantly blessed me1 especially in my pulpit ministrations4 ,it is the language of my heart to my blessed ,saviour1 ,thy will1 not mine1 be done4 ,our prospects in little ,york are favourable4 ,the chapel is enlarged1 and the congregation greatly increased1 some having lately joined4--,h4 ,nov4 #ith4--,this evening in visiting a sick ,indian man1 ,i endeavoured1 through an interpreter1 to explain to him the causes of our afflictions1 the sympathy of ,jesus1 and the use of them to ,christians4 ,we afterwards had prayer1 many flocked into the room4 ,the sick man was filled with peace in believing1 insomuch that he clapped his hands for joy4 ,illustration3 ,john ,jones' ,house at the ,credit1 where ,dr4 ,ryerson resided4 ,nov4 #bfth4--,sabbath4--,this has been an important day4 ,we opened our ,indian ,chapel by holding a love-feast1 and celebrating the ,lord's supper4 ,the ,indians with much solemnity and feeling expressed what ,god had done for them4 ,rev4 ,wm4 ,case addressed them4 ,in the evening he gave them most important instruction1 as to domestic economy and ,christian duties4 ,after this a short time was spent in teaching them the ,ten ,commandments1 the ,indian speaker repeating them audibly sentence by sentence1 which was responded to by the whole congregation4 ,at the close1 eight persons1 seven adults and one infant were baptized4 ,three years ago they were without suitable clothes1 home1 morality1 or ,god4 ,now they are decently clothed1 sheltered from the storm by comfortable dwellings1 and many of them rejoicing in the hope of a glorious immortality4 ,nov4 #bith4--,last evening1 in addressing a few of the ,indians1 who were collected on account of the death of one of them1 7,john ,muskrat7 ,i felt a degree of light spring up in my mind4 ,this ,indian was converted about a year ago1 and has ever since maintained a godly walk and holy conversation4 ,thus missionary labour has not been in vain4 ,this is the third that has left an encouraging testimony behind of a glorious resurrection4 ,nov4 #cjth4--,i have this day divided the ,indian society into classes1 selected a leader for each1 from the most pious and intelligent4 ,i meet these leaders once a week separately1 to instruct them in their duty4 ,dec4 #gth4--,i have been often quite unwell1 owing to change of living1 being out at night2 my fare1 as to food is very plain1 but wholesome1 and ,i generally lie on boards with one or two blankets intervening4#aj ,dec4 #hth4--,i am feeling encouraged in the prosecution of the ,indian language1 and in the spirit of my mission4 ,there is a tenderness in the disposition of many of the ,indians1 especially of the women1 which endears them to the admirers of natural excellence4 ,one of them kindly presented me with a handsome basket1 which is designed to keep my books in4 ,this afternoon ,i collected about a dozen of the boys1 to go with me to the woods1 in order to cut and carry wood for the chapel4 ,their exertions and activity were astonishing4 ,dec4 #afth4--,i have this week been trying to procure for the ,indians the exclusive right of their salmon fishery1 which ,i trust will be granted by the ,legislature4#aa ,i have attended one of their ,councils1 when everything was conducted in the most orderly manner4 ,after all the business was adjusted1 they wished to give me an ,indian name4 ,the old ,chief arose1 and approached the table where ,i was sitting1 and in his own tongue addressed me in the following manner3 ,brother1 as we are brothers1 we will give you a name4 ,my departed brother was named ,cheehock2 thou shalt be called ,cheehock4#ab ,i returned him thanks in his own tongue1 and so became initiated among them4 ,dec4 #bbnd4--,my brother ,john1 writing from ,grimsby1 thus acknowledges the kind advice of brother ,george3 ,i thank you for your kind advice1 and ,i can assure you ,i have felt of late1 more than ever1 the importance of preaching ,christ1 and ,christ alone4 ,it is my aim and constant prayer to live in that way1 so that ,i can always adopt the language of the ,apostle1 ,romans xiv4 #g1 #h4 ,i wish you to write as often as convenient4 ,any advice or instruction that you may have at any time to give1 will be thankfully received4 ,january #dth1 #ahbg4--;,after the absence of more than a week1 ,i again return to my ,indians1 who welcome me with the tenderest marks of kindness4 ,watch-night on ,new ,year's ,eve was a season of great rejoicing among them4 ,about #ab o'clock1 while their speaker was addressing them1 the glory of the ,lord filled the house1 and about twenty fell to the floor4 ,they all expressed a determination to commence the ,new ,year with fresh zeal4 ,my soul was abundantly blessed at the commencement of the year1 while speaking at the close of the ,watchnight services in ,york4 ,my engagement in controversial writing savours too much of dry historical criticism to be spiritual1 and often causes leanness of soul2 but it seems to be necessary in the present state of matters in this ,colony1 and it is the opinion of my most judicious friends1 that ,i should continue it till it comes to a successful termination4 ,jan4 #ajth4--,having received a letter of enquiry from his brother ,george1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied at this date1 and said3-- ,i have been unwell for nearly two months with a continuance of violent colds1 occasioned by frequent changes from a cold house and a thinly-clad bed at the ,credit1 to warm rooms in ,york4 ,my indisposition of body has generally induced a depression of spirits1 which has often unfitted me for a proper discharge of duties1 or proficiency in study4 ,however1 in the midst of bodily indisposition1 the blessings of the ,holy ,spirit have been at times abundantly poured into my soul1 insomuch that ,i could glory in tribulation1 and rejoice that ,i am counted worthy to labour and suffer among the most unprofitable and worthless of the labourers in my ,saviour's vineyard4 ,the ,indians are firm in their ,christian profession1 and some of them are making considerable improvement in the knowledge of doctrine and duties of religion1 and of things in general4 ,they are affectionate and tractable4 ,i am very unpleasantly situated at the ,credit1 during the cold weather1 as there are nearly a dozen in the family1 and only one fire-place4 ,i have lived at different houses among the ,indians1 and thereby learned some of their wants1 and the proper remedies for them4 ,having no place for retirement1 and living in the midst of bustle and noise1 ,i have forgotten a good deal of my ,greek and ,latin1 and have made but little progress in other things4 ,my desire and aim is1 to live solely for the glory of ,god and the good of men4 ,by the advice of ,mr4 ,m4 ,s4 ,bidwell and others1 ,i am induced to continue the ,strachan controversy1 till it is brought to a favourable termination4 ,i shall be heartily glad when it is concluded4--,h4 ,jan4 #afth4--,one of the ,indians 7,wm4 ,sunegoo7 has been tempted to drink4 ,i visited him as soon as he returned to the village4 ,i entreated him to tell me the whole truth1 which he did4 ,after showing him his sin and ingratitude to ,god and his friends1 he wept aloud1 almost despairing of mercy4 ,i pointed him to the ,saviour of penitent sinners4 ,he fell on his knees1 and we spent some time in prayer4 ,after evening service he confessed his sin publicly1 asked forgiveness of his brethren1 and promised in the strength of ,god to be more watchful4 ,thus have we restored our brother in the spirit of meekness4 ,jan4 #bfth4--,last ,sunday we held our quarterly meeting at ,york4 ,about thirty of the ,indian brethren were present2 their cleanliness1 modesty1 and devout piety were the subject of general admiration4 ,feb4 #dth4--,to-day ,i preached to the ,indians4 ,peter ,jacobs1 an intelligent youth of #ah1 interpreted1 and afterwards spake with all the simplicity and eloquence of nature4 ,a scene never to be forgotten was witnessed by me in visiting an ,indian woman this evening2 after months of severe suffering1 she sweetly yielded up the ghost in the triumphs of faith4 ,she embraced the ,christian religion about eight months ago1 and was baptized by ,rev4 ,t4 ,madden4 ,notwithstanding her many infirmities1 she went to the house of ,god as long as her emaciated frame1 with the assistance of friends1 could be supported4 ,a few days previous to her decease1 she gave 7to use her own words7 her whole heart into the hands of ,jesus1 and felt no more sorry now1 but wanted to be with ,jesus4 ,while addressing a number assembled in her room1 who were weeping around her bed1 her happy spirit took its triumphant flight to the arms of the ,saviour she loved so much4 ,how would the hearts of a ,wesley and ,fletcher burst forth in rapture1 could they have seen their spiritual posterity gathering the wandering tribes of the ,american forest into the fold of ,christ1 and heard the wigwam of the dying ,indian resound with the praises of ,jehovah6 ,feb4 #ajth4--,a blessed quarterly meeting--,elder ,case preached in the morning1 and my brother ,george in the evening4 ,the singing was delightful1 and the white people present were extremely interested4 ,at the close a collection of #bf4ge was taken up1 principally from the ,indians6 ,peter ,jacobs was one of the speakers4 ,feb4 #afth4--,the importance of fostering our school among the ,indians1 and of encouraging the teacher in this discouraging and very difficult task1 cannot be overestimated4 ,rev4 ,wm4 ,case1 thinking that ,i had some aptitude for teaching1 wrote me a day or two ago1 as follows3-- ,do you think the multitude of care1 and burden of the school does sometimes mar the patience of the teacher8 ,if so1 you would do well to kindly offer to assist him occasionally1 when he is present1 and so by example1 as well as by occasional kind remarks1 help him to correct any inadvertencies of taste4 ,i know the burden of a teacher in a large school1 and a perpetual sameness in the same employment1 especially in this business1 is a tiresome task4 ,i consider this school of vast importance1 on several accounts1 and especially considering the hopes to be entertained of several interesting youths there4 ,feb4 #bgth4--,i have written from fifteen to sixteen hours to-day in vindicating the cause of dissenters against the anathemas of high churchmen4 ,march #eth1 #ahbg4--,to-day ,i am on my way to see my parents4 ,my ,father is becoming serious1 and my younger brother ,edwy has joined the ,methodist ,society4 ,i thank ,god for this blessed change4 ,york1 ,march #hth4--,as an interesting bit of personal history1 descriptive of ,dr4 ,ryerson's manner of life among the ,credit ,indians1 ,i give the following extract from a letter written by ,rev4 ,william to ,rev4 ,george ,ryerson4 ,william says3-- ,i visited ,egerton's ,mission at the ,credit last week1 and was highly delighted to see the improvement they are making both in religious knowledge and industry4 ,i preached to them while there1 and had a large meeting and an interesting time4 ,the next morning we visited their schools4 ,they have about forty pupils on the list1 but there were only thirty present4 ,the rest were absent1 making sugar4 ,i am very certain ,i never saw the same order and attention to study in any school before4 ,their progress in spelling1 reading1 and writing is astonishing1 but especially in writing1 which certainly exceeds anything ,i ever saw4 ,they are getting quite forward with their work4 ,when ,i was there they were fencing the lots in the village in a very neat1 substantial manner4 ,on my arrival at the ,mission ,i found ,egerton1 about half a mile from the village1 stripped to the shirt and pantaloons1 clearing land with between twelve and twenty of the little ,indian boys1 who were all engaged in chopping and picking up the brush4 ,it was an interesting sight4 ,indeed he told me that he spent an hour or more every morning and evening in this way1 for the benefit of his own health1 and the improvement of the ,indian children4 ,he is almost worshipped by his people1 and ,i believe1 under ,god1 will be a great blessing to them4--,h4 ,march #adth4--,after several pleasant days absence ,i return again to my ,indian brethren4 ,have been much profited by reading the lives of ,cranmer1 ,latimer1 ,burnet1 ,watts1 ,doddridge1 and especially that of ,philip ,skelton1 an ,irish ,prelate4 ,the piety1 knowledge1 love1 zeal1 and unbounded charity1 are almost beyond credit2 except on the principle that he that is spiritual1 can do all things4 ,march #aith4--,an ,indian who has lately come to this place1 and has embraced the religion of ,christ1 came to ,peter ,jones1 and asked him1 what he should do with his implements of witchcraft1 whether throw them in the fire1 or river1 as he did not want anything more to do with them4 ,what a proof of his sincerity6 ,nothing but ,christianity can make them renounce witchcraft1 and many of them are afraid of it long after their conversion4 ,march #bjth4--,busy to-day selecting suitable places for planting1 and employed the school boys in clearing some land for pasture4 ,march #bdth4--,i am this day twenty-four years old4 ,during the past year my principal attention has been called to controversial labours4 ,if the ,lord will1 may this cup pass by in my future life4 ,march #beth--,sabbath4--,this day is the second anniversary of my ministerial labours4 ,my soul has been refreshed1 my tongue loosened1 and my heart warmed4 ,april #ast1 #ahbg--,sabbath4--,in speaking to my ,indian brethren1 the word seemed deeply to affect their hearts4 ,april #bnd4--,in meeting ,class this evening1 ,i spoke for the first time in ,indian4 ,my mind was much affected4 ,the ,indians broke forth in exclamations of joy to hear a white man talk about ,god and religion in their own tongue4 ,april #fth4--,my dear brother ,william and ,dr4 ,t4 ,d4 ,morrison have spent a night here1 and greatly refreshed me by their converse4 ,april #ith4--,another lesson of mortality in the death of ,brother ,john ,jones' only child4 ,i have been trying to comfort the parents1 who seem to bear their trial with ,christian fortitude4 ,york1 ,april #aeth4--,in a letter to his brother ,george at this date1 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus speaks of the work under his care3-- ,we are all well1 and are blessed in our labours at this place1 and at the ,credit4 ,i think the ,indians are growing in knowledge and in grace4 ,they are getting on pretty well with their spring work4 ,but in some respects they are ,indians1 though they have become ,christians4 ,i came from ,long ,point with a full determination to live wholly for ,god and ,his ,church4 ,through the blessing of ,god ,i have received greater manifestations of grace than ,i had felt before during the year4 ,i have lately read ,law's ,serious ,call to a ,devout and ,holy ,life1 which has been very beneficial to me4 ,my greatest grief of late is1 that my love to ,god and ,his people is not more humble1 more fervent1 and more importunate4 ,o could ,i feel as ,jesus felt when he said1 ,my meat and drink is to do the will of him that sent me4 ,how much more happy and useful ,i would be6 ,i pray that ,i may4 ,john and ,peter ,jones seem to thirst after holiness1 and are growing in grace4 ,the ,society in this place 7,york7 appears to be increasing in grace and in number4 ,i was abundantly assisted by heavenly aid to-day1 while preaching4 ,the congregation seemed to be deeply affected this evening4 ,i hope the word has not gone forth in vain4 ,the ,sunday-schools are prospering in this place4 ,i proposed the new method of increasing the ,sunday-schools1 by giving a reward ticket to every scholar who would procure another that had not attended any other school4 ,in two ,sabbaths between twenty and thirty new scholars were procured in one school4--,h4 ,april #afth4--,the last part of last week ,i was powerfully assailed by the devil1 and became greatly dejected4 ,alas6 ,i fear ,i was more disturbed on account of my own reputation than for the cause of ,jesus4 ,while preaching on ,sabbath evening1 heavenly light broke in on my soul1 and all was peace4 ,i am now among the dear objects of my care4 ,my heart leaped for joy as ,i came in sight of the village1 and received such a hearty welcome4 ,much refreshed with meeting them in ,class1 and particularly in private conversation with ,peter ,jones1 about the dispensations of ,god towards us in the increase of our graces and gifts4 ,we had about thirty boys out at work this evening clearing land4 ,they are very apt in learning to work4 ,april #ahth4--,i was impressed to-day with the fact that the untutored ,indian can display all the noble feelings of gratitude1 love1 and benevolence4 ,an ,indian1 who has lately come to this place and embraced the ,christian religion1 has ever since shown great attachment to me4 ,he has1 without my knowledge1 watered1 fed1 and taken care of my horse1 saying he lived closer to the stable than ,i did4 ,yesterday ,i got out of hay1 and could not get any till this afternoon4 ,when ,i came to the stable ,i found grass in the manger2 the ,indian was there1 and had just fed him4 ,i said ,i was very glad1 for he must be very hungry1 but the ,indian replied1 ,no1 he not very hungry4 ,i took him down where grass grow1 and let him eat plenty4 ,oh1 ,god1 thought ,i1 do such principles dwell in the people whom the white man despises8 ,is not this as noble and pure as it is simple8 ,though the circumstance is small in itself1 it involves a moral principle to which many mighty men are strangers4 ,he gave the widow's mite4 ,enfeebled by sickness1 he exposed himself2 touched by compassion1 he relieved the sufferer4 ,a few weeks ago1 a heathen from the forest1 he now performs an act that might make many ,christians blush4 ,how many professing ,christians consider it a condescension to attend upon the servant of ,christ and his beast1 but this wild man of the woods esteems it a privilege to wash ,his disciple's feet4 ,many that are first shall be last1 and the last shall be first4 ,april #beth4--,last ,sunday1 four ,indians came from ,lake ,simcoe1 over fifty miles1 to hear the words of eternal life1 while many professors will scarcely go a mile4 ,does not this fulfil prophecy1 ,many shall come from the east1 and the west1 and sit down in the kingdom of ,god1 while the children of the kingdom are thrust out8 ,last summer they heard ,peter ,jones1 at ,lake ,simcoe1 tell the story of the ,saviour's love4 ,they then determined to renounce ardent spirits1 and pray to the ,great ,spirit4 ,with this little preparation1 they had been enabled to totter along in the path of morality from that time till now4 ,the old man 7,wm4 ,snake7 seems under deep convictions1 weeps much1 and expresses much sorrow for his former bad doings4 ,they have gone back1 determined to get as many of their tribe as possible to return by the first of ,june4 ,surely this is hungering and thirsting after righteousness4 ,april #bith--,sabbath4--,in our ,class-meetings1 one of the ,indian ,leaders expressed himself thus3--,i am happy to-day4 ,it is not with my life alone ,i love ,jesus1 but ,i love ,him right here 7pressing his hand upon his heart47 ,if ,i did not serve ,him1 what would ,i tell ,him when ,he came8 ,would ,i tell ,him a lie8 ,no1 my brothers1 ,i will tell ,him no story4 ,i will serve ,him with my whole heart4 ,when ,i hear any of my brothers or my sisters praying in the daytime alone1#ac it makes my heart feel so glad4 ,the tears run out of my two eyes1 ,i feel so happy4 ,i love ,jesus more and more4 ,pray for me1 that ,i may hold on to the end2 and when ,jesus comes1 ,i may go with ,him and all of you up to heaven4 ,another one said1 ,three of us have been two or three days in the bush1 but we prayed1 three poor souls of us1 three times a day1 and ,jesus did make our souls so happy4 ,april #cjth4--,according to announcement1 we assembled in the ,chapel to examine into the cases of several who had acted disorderly4 ,we were compelled to expel two from the ,society4 ,many were deeply affected1 and groans1 and sighs might be heard in the different parts of the house4 ,after a long and wise address from the old ,chief1 ,joseph ,sawyer1 ,i said1 ,we must turn them out of the ,society4 ,what do you think about sending them away from the village8 ,tell us4 ,several spoke1 and it was at last decided1 by holding up the right hand1 that they must go4 ,i then said1 ,i am sorry to hear one or two have been drinking4 ,i asked one if this was true4 ,he confessed that he drank some beer1 being coaxed by a white man4 ,he felt very sorry1 as he wished to be a good ,christian4 ,i then reproved with considerable severity1 and showed him it was as bad to get drunk on cider or beer as whiskey4 ,the devil often cheats us in this way1 but we are exhorted not to touch1 taste1 or handle the accursed thing4 ,this talk was explained to them in ,indian by ,peter ,jones1 and their opinions requested4 ,several spoke1 but ,brother ,william ,herkimer1 with a pathos that affected us all1 said1 ,brothers1 the white man can't pour it down your throat1 if you will not drink4 ,when white man ask me to drink1 ,i tell him1 ',i am a ,christian1 ,i love ,jesus1' and they go right away and look ashamed4 ,he then concluded with a most pathetic prayer3 ,oh1 ,jesus1 let us poor1 weak creatures be faithful1 and serve ,thee as long as we live4 ,having adjusted these matters1 ,i next observed1 ,our ,god has given us another commandment which was1 ',to keep holy the ,sabbath day4' ,now1 brothers1 if a man gave you six dollars1 and kept only one for himself1 would you not think it very bad to rob him of that one8 ,oh1 yes1 you will say4 ,well the ,lord has done more for us4 ,he has given us our lives1 our clothes1 our health1 nay1 everything we have1 and six days too1 to do all our work in2 but ,he has kept out one day for ,himself4 ,let us not rob ,god of this day1 but let us keep it holy4 ,i am sorry to hear that one of you went to ,york on ,sunday4 ,i turned to the guilty ,indian1 and told him ,i wanted him to tell us why he had done so4 ,he stated he had got out of provisions1 and he was afraid the wind would rise on ,monday1 and unthinkingly he started on ,sunday afternoon4 ,he promised to do so no more4 ,i then spoke a few words from ,gal4 vi4 #a1 and ,peter ,jones closed with an affecting exhortation and prayer4 ,may #bnd4--,yesterday ,i was almost in despair1 and ,i was really devising means to relinquish my present work2 when in the height of agitation ,i took down a package of tracts1 and providentially 7surely not by chance7 cast my eyes upon one entitled1 ,disobedience ,punished1 ,repented of1 and ,pardoned4 ,this was no other than the history of ,jonah2 and was made the means of reviving my expiring faith1 and showing me how ,god alone could give me victory over myself4 ,i cried to ,him like ,jonah1 and ,he delivered me out of my distress4 ,illustration3 ,school and ,council ,house4 ,church4 ,peter ,jones' ,study4 ,,old ,,credit ,,mission4 7,from a sketch by ,mrs4 ,e4 ,carey47 ,may #crd4--,to-day ,i have felt peace with ,god and good will towards men4 ,several ,indian women have arrived from ,scugog ,lake4 ,they report that the ,indians there have all stood firm1 daily meeting for prayer to the ,great ,spirit1 and that there has only been one case of intoxication since ,peter ,jones was there last autumn4 ,this unhappy circumstance was caused by one 7,carr7 an old ,methodist back-slider 7a fit emissary of the devil71 who took his barrel of whiskey1 in order to trade with the ,indians4 ,he tried in vain to persuade them to taste1 till at length he made some of the whiskey into bitters1 which he called medicine1 and prevailed on one unwary man to take for his health4 ,this he repeated several times1 till at length the poor fellow got to relish it1 and becoming overpowered he fell into the water6 ,the ,indians immediately assembled for prayer1 and through the mercy of ,god1 he is now restored to his former steadfastness4 ,they then ordered ,carr to take his whiskey away1 or they would destroy it4 ,he took it on the ice1 on the lake1 no doubt hoping that it would tempt some of them to drink4 ,but in this the devil was disappointed1 the ice thawed1 and the barrel floated on the water4 ,what an instance of human depravity1 does this man's conduct exhibit1 and what a picture of the power of ,divine grace is seen in the inflexible firmness of the ,indians6 ,may we not sing in the language of ,paradise ,regained-- ,the tempter foiled ,in all his wiles1 defeated1 and repuls'd1 ,and ,eden raised in the waste wilderness4 ,the ,indian woman who related the above1 gave another proof of the amiable and benevolent character of her race1 especially when sanctified by grace4 ,in token of their esteem for ,peter ,jones1 who had been the means of opening their eyes to immortality and eternal life1 they brought him several pounds of maple sugar1 which one of them presented in a wooden bowl4 ,no doubt this sugar1 which they had carried sixty miles1 was nearly their all4 ,is not this a feeling of gratitude and love to the disciple for the master's sake8 ,oh6 that ,i may learn lessons of simplicity and contentment from these children of the forest1 for they are taught of ,god only4 ,oh6 that ,i may have ,mary's lot in time and in eternity4 ,may #fth--,sunday4--,a number of white people being present this morning ,i addressed them on the subject of the barren fig-tree4 ,in the evening we had a precious time2 the ,indians were enraptured1 and we all1 as it were1 with one heart1 dedicated ourselves afresh to ,god4 ,in the class meeting we all wept tears of joy and holy triumph4 ,several of them said1 ,jesus is the best master ,i ever served4 ,i love ,jesus better than anything else4 ,may #hth4--,i witnessed an affecting instance of how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity1 in the departure of two ,indians who had paid us a few days' visit from ,belleville4 ,nearly the whole village1 according to ,apostolic custom1 collected to bid them farewell in ,john ,crane's house1 when an ,indian arose 7in the absence of the chief7 inviting any of the ,belleville ,indians who might like to come and settle amongst them4 ,others rose and spoke on ,christian love1 pointing them forward to that period when they should meet to part no more4 ,how does the spirit of primitive ,christianity lead to the adoption of the same customs which were practised by the first followers of our ,lord1 when the multitudes of them that believed were of one heart and soul4 ,we then sang a few verses and all knelt down1 commending our dear brothers to the care of ,him who never leaves nor forsakes his children4 ,after this one of the ,indians from ,belleville delivered a pathetic parting address2 they then all shook hands1 exhorting one another to cleave to ,jesus4 ,this ,indian appeared to me to be one of the most heavenly minded men ,i ever saw1 not an able speaker but with a peculiar nervousness in his words1 spoken with energy and pathos that deeply affected us all4 ,may #acth--,sunday4--,i spent the last week in assisting the ,indians in their agricultural pursuits4 ,they are teachable1 willing1 and apt to learn4 ,this constant change of employment debars me from literary and theological improvement1 and leaves me less qualified to expound ,scripture to refined assemblies4 ,thus ,i am perplexed to know what is best for me to do4 ,the ,lord direct me in this momentous matter6 ,may #adth4--,the temporal and spiritual interests of the ,indians bring upon me much care1 and weigh me down4 ,i experienced some comfort in the class meeting4 ,spoke in ,indian1 and for the first time repeated the ,lord's prayer in ,chippewa4 ,many of my dear brethren praised the ,lord4 ,june #ith--,sabbath4--,this day we held quarterly meeting at ,york--about twenty ,indians present4 ,i am informed that some of the ,indians on ,lake ,simcoe are hungering for the bread of life1 and that twelve of them were at worship at ,newmarket1 and expressed a desire to become ,christians4 ,sixteen ,indian children attend a ,sabbath-school established there whose parents encamp near1 for that purpose4 ,several of these children learnt the alphabet in four hours4 ,this awakening arose through four of the ,rice ,lake ,indians influenced by the divine love1 traversing in their canoe the back lakes to tell their benighted brethren about ,jesus1 and exhorting them to become ,christians4 ,june #gth4--,the first quarterly conference ever held amongst ,indians in ,british ,america was held to-day4 ,after deliberating on several subjects1 that of sending some of their pious and experienced men on a missionary tour to ,lake ,simcoe1 and the ,thames was proposed for consideration4 ,four of them soon volunteered their services4 ,their hearts seemed fired at the thought of carrying the news of salvation to their benighted brethren4 ,at their own suggestion #ab was soon taken up to help pay expenses4 ,june #ajth4-,about fifty converted ,indians from ,rice ,lake1 ,scugog ,lake1 ,mud ,lake1 and the ,credit1 assembled in ,york to-day for the purpose of worshipping ,god4 ,the ,rice ,lake ,indians have come to see the ,governor about building them a village1 and deduct the money due them from the lands their fathers have ceded to the ,british ,government1 and likewise for getting boundaries of their hunting-grounds established4 ,the other ,indians have come for the purpose of attending the approaching camp-meeting1 as they have never had but three days' instruction from ,peter ,jones last autumn4 ,as soon as any of them experience the love of ,jesus in their own souls1 they begin to feel for others1 and1 like the ancient ,christians1 go wherever they can preaching the ,lord ,jesus4 ,here is a whole tribe converted to ,god1 with the external aid of only three days' instruction1 except what they communicate to one another1 and who for six months have proved the reality of their ,christian experience by blameless and holy lives4 ,surely this is the ,lord's doing1 and marvellous in our eyes4 ,elder ,case told me that on his way from ,cobourg to ,york1 he saw an ,indian sitting by the road-side1 he asked him where his brothers and sisters were1 he replied1 encamped in the woods4 ,elder ,case told him to call them1 as he wanted to talk some good words to them4 ,they soon came together to hear the me-ko-to-wik1 or black coat man4 ,they pitched a little ,bethel of logs1 about breast high1 over-topped with bushes1 for the purpose of worshipping ,keshamunedo 7,god47 ,after kneeling down to implore ,god's blessing1 they took their seats4 ,as soon as ,elder ,case commenced to speak1 their hearts seemed to melt like wax4 ,so much for the ,scugog and ,mud ,lake ,indians4 ,the ,rice ,lake ,indians appear to be more intelligent1 and are the handsomest company of men ,i have seen4 ,potash1 their chief1 is very majestic in appearance1 possesses a commanding voice1 and speaks with great animation4 ,june #abth4--,my brother ,william1 who came from ,newmarket yesterday1 informs me that he preached to more than fifty of these bewildered enquirers after truth on ,sunday--none of them could interpret1 but some could understand ,english1 and they told others what the good man said4 ,an ,indian woman came to a little white boy1 holding out her book 7as most of them have bought books7 and said1 boy1 boy1 showing great anxiety that the boy would teach her1 but the little fellow was afraid1 and slipped off4 ,then a little ,indian boy about his age1 held out his book that he might teach him1 the white boy complied1 and by the time he had showed him three or four letters1 he was unable to contain his grateful feelings1 clasped the white boy round his neck1 and began to hug and kiss him4 ,june #aeth4--,a camp-meeting commenced this afternoon on ,yonge street1 about twelve miles from ,york4 ,a large number of white people have assembled1 and about seventy-five ,indians4 ,about a dozen of these embraced ,christianity about six months ago1 the rest are heathens from the forest4 ,how interesting a sight that they should travel forty miles to hear about the ,great ,spirit1 and what he would have them do4 ,as soon as they arrived they commenced building their tents4 ,our ,saviour said to ,his disciples1 ,go ye into all the world1 c4 but we here see heathens coming to the disciples of ,jesus and asking for the ,gospel4 ,the services were commenced by ,rev4 ,james ,richardson1 followed by the ,rev4 ,thaddeus ,osgood1 who is a great lover of ,sunday-schools1 ,peter ,jones interpreted1 when they were directed to ,jesus1 who came to save the ,indian as well as the white man1 they were melted to tears4 ,june #afth4--,rev4 ,d4 ,yeomans preached this morning1 also the ,rev4 ,thaddeus ,osgood1 first to the children1 then to the ,indians1 which was interpreted by ,peter ,jones4 ,a lame boy1 fourteen years old1 seemed to have his whole soul broken under the hammer of the word4 ,the ,ten ,commandments were recited in their own tongue1 and they repeated them sentence by sentence4 ,it was a very impressive exercise1 giving great solemnity to the sacred decalogue4 ,june #agth1 ,sunday4--,the first sermon this morning was delivered by ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 on the sufferings of ,christ1 followed by ,rev4 ,james ,richardson4 ,by this time the concourse of people was immense--when the ,rev4 ,william ,ryerson preached from ,gen4 vii4 #a1 a most able and affecting discourse1 interpreted by ,peter ,jones1 who afterwards addressed the white people1 telling of the former degradation of his people1 their present happy condition1 the feeble instruments ,god had made use of to accomplish this glorious work2 he thanked the white people for their kindness1 and earnestly entreated them to pray on1 that the good work might go on and prosper--he concluded by saying1 ,my dear brethren1 if you go forward the work will prosper1 till the missionary from the western tribes1 shall meet with the missionary from the east1 and both will shake hands together4 ,june #ahth4--,about mid-day the ,camp-meeting was brought to a close1 it was very solemn and refreshing1 three hundred and thirteen whites partook of the ,communion1 and about forty ,indians4 ,thirty-five ,indians1 men1 women1 and children were baptized2 with others it was deferred till further instructed4 ,july #crd4--,peter ,jones has just returned from ,lake ,simcoe1 bringing a glorious account of the steadfastness and exceeding joy of the ,indians there4 ,thirty more are added to their number2 a school is established1 taught by ,bro4 ,wm4 ,law1 in a temporary building1 put up by themselves4 ,the traders are showing great opposition1 threatening to beat the ,indians and burn their camps if they will attend the meetings2 their craft is in danger4 ,they that trust in the ,lord need not fear4 ,july #eth4--,rev4 ,wm4 ,ryerson1 under this date1 writes from ,lake ,simcoe3 ,if ,yellowhead1 the ,head ,chief1 embraces religion1 his influence will counteract the opposition of the traders1 which is very strong4 ,i think if ,peter ,jones can come and remain with them awhile1 as soon as possible1 they will embrace ,christianity4 ,july #aeth4--,peter ,jones and ,i arrived at ,lake ,simcoe this evening1 for the purpose of being present during the distribution of ,indian goods4 ,the change in their appearance since a year ago is most striking4 ,the traders are still very hostile4 ,july #afth4--,in the morning ,i gave the ,indians a long talk4 ,i showed them the superiority of the ,christian religion over that of those who worshipped images4 ,at this remark1 the ,french traders present looked very angry1 muttering1 but making no disturbance4 ,peter ,jones then spoke at length1 answering and correcting statements the traders had made4 ,colonel ,givens soon arrived and the meeting closed4 ,july #agth4--,collected the ,indians again1 and preached from ,matt4 xi4 #bh4 ,peter ,jones expounded the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,the ,frenchmen were much displeased at his remarks on the subject of forgiving sins4 ,they afterwards tried to force some of the ,christians to drink1 but failed4 ,the ,lord have mercy on these wicked men1 and open their eyes before it is too late6 ,when the presents were to be given out1 the men were seated by themselves1 and also the women2 the boys and girls according to their ages4 ,the chiefs then requested all who were ,christians1 or wished to be1 to sit together1 and about #aej rose and did so4 ,the difference in their countenances1 as well as their appearance and manners1 was most marked4 ,they looked healthy1 clean1 and happy1 whereas many of the others were almost naked2 some with bruised heads1 and black faces1 and almost burnt up with liquor4 ,when the distribution of presents ended1 an ,indian ,council was held at ,phelps' ,inn1 at which ,i was invited to be present4 ,chief ,yellowhead spoke first1 saying ,the desire of his heart was that their ,great ,father would grant them a place where they might all settle down together4 ,his people wished to throw away their bad ways1 and worship the ,great ,spirit4 ,many others spoke1 particularly requesting the ,indian ,agent to do what he could to quiet the rage of the ,french traders4 ,we have reason to thank ,god for the kind friendly influence the ,indian agents exert1 especially in closing the mouths of the traders4 ,oh1 ,lord1 ,i will praise ,thee6 ,july #bjth4--,i left the ,holland ,landing this morning for the purpose of visiting the islands north-east of ,lake ,simcoe1 to ascertain their desirability for a settlement4 ,i find the situation very pleasant4 ,the chief has a comfortable house containing four rooms1 with everything decent and convenient4 ,this island contains about four hundred acres of beautiful basswood1 beech1 and maple4 ,the chief told me that the ,mohawks once had a village there1 probably a century ago2 as there is a navigable creek running to the mouth of the river1 there was every attraction for a convenient settlement4 ,the chief also offers any one who will come and teach the children1 two rooms in his house for that purpose1 and the ,indians will support him4 ,such is the field of philanthropic and ,christian labour in this place1 and which demand most vigorous cultivation4 ,july #bbnd4--,i assembled the ,indians this morning1 and gave them my parting advice2 after which the ,chief 7,wahwahsinno7 spoke with great power4 ,he is the most interesting1 intelligent ,indian ,i ever saw4 ,he warned them to beware of the evil spirit which was lurking around them on every side2 to be honest and cheat nobody2 not to get drunk1 but buy food and clothing for their children4 ,you know1 he said1 how our fathers1 grandfathers1 and great-grandfathers have been killed by liquor--now1 don't do as they have done4 ,we are thankful to our ,great ,father1 over the waters1 for the clothes he has given us1 and to our good brother for the good things he has taught us4 ,we then embraced each other and bade farewell4 ,july #bcrd4--,arrived again at the ,narrows1 and found the ,indians firmly established in the faith4 ,i have now spent eight days among these long-neglected and injured people1 and happy are my eyes that have seen these glorious things4 ,the missionary efforts of these times were in ,upper ,canada chiefly directed toward the ,indians4 ,of this abundant evidence is given in the preceding pages4 ,that these efforts were also put forth by the ,church of ,england1 may be gathered from the fact that at a public meeting held in ,york1 on the #bith of ,october1 #ahcj1 a ,society was formed1 under the presidency of the ,bishop of ,quebec1 for the converting and civilizing of the ,indians of ,upper ,canada4 ,in his address1 on that occasion1 the ,bishop stated that the ,rev4 ,g4 ,archbold1 with true missionary zeal1 had resided among the ,indians on the north side of ,lake ,huron during the greater part of the summer1 and at his departure had left them in care of ,mr4 ,james ,w4 ,cameron4 ,mr4 ,cameron was1 in #ahcb succeeded by ,mr4 7now ,archdeacon7 ,mc,murray at ,sault ,ste4 ,marie4 ,funds for the support of this ,indian ,mission were collected in ,england1 by the ,bishop in #ahca1 and also by ,rev4 ,a4 ,n4 7subsequently ,bishop7 ,bethune4 ,the scope of this ,society was soon enlarged to ,propagating the ,gospel among ,destitute ,settlers4 ,the missionaries employed in #ahca were ,rev4 ,j4 ,o',brian 7,st4 ,clair71 ,rev4 ,salteen ,givens 7,bay of ,quinte71 and ,mr4 ,james ,w4 ,cameron 7,la ,cloche1 ,saulte ,ste4 ,marie1 etc47 ,that this interest was not confined to spiritual matters is evident from many letters and other references to the domestic and material improvement in the condition of the ,indians1 which ,i find in ,dr4 ,ryerson's papers4 ,i select the following1 which touch upon many different matters relating to the temporal and spiritual interests of the ,indians3-- ,in a letter written by ,rev4 ,william ,case1 from ,hallowell1 to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 he thus speaks of the success of a school established by the ,conference among the ,indians4 ,he says3 ,last evening 7#ajth ,march7 was exhibited the improvement of the ,indian ,school1 at ,grape ,island1 one boy1 whose time at school amounted to but about six months1 read well in the ,testament4 ,several new tunes were well sung and had a fine effect4 ,the whole performance was excellent4 ,more than twenty names were given in to furnish provisions for the children of the school4 ,these exhibitions have a good effect4 ,it animates the children and the teachers1 and affords a most gratifying opportunity to the friends of the ,missions to witness that their benevolence is not in vain4--,h4 ,shortly after this letter was written1 ,elder ,case went to ,new ,york1 to solicit aid on behalf of the ,indian ,schools4 ,he was accompanied by ,john ,sunday and one or two other ,indians4 ,writing from there1 on the #aith ,april1 to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 then at ,cobourg1 he says3 ,we have attended meetings frequently1 and visited a great number of schools and other institutions1 both literary and religious4 ,this has a fine effect on our ,indian brethren4 ,the aid we are obtaining will assist us for the improvement of our ,indian ,schools4 ,we have an especial view to the ,indians of ,rice ,lake4 ,please look well to the school there1 and to the comfort of the teacher4 ,the ,indians should be encouraged to cultivate their islands4 ,the most that we can do is to keep them at school1 c41 and instruct them in their worldly concerns4 ,the managers of the ,missionary ,society in ,new ,york1 as well as in ,philadelphia1 are very friendly4 ,in case we shall be set off as a ,conference1 they will continue to afford us assistance in the ,mission cause4 ,you will judge something of the feeling of the people here1 when ,i inform you that a niece of the unfortunate ,miss ,mc,crae1 who was killed by the ,indians in the revolutionary war1 has given us #aj towards the ,indian schools1 and two sets of very fine diaper cloths for the communion table4 ,we shall bring with us an ,indian book1 containing the decalogue1 the creed1 hymns1 and our ,lord's ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,this will stimulate our schools1 as well as afford instruction to the ,indian converts4 ,i wish you to encourage the ,indian sisters to make a quantity of fancy trinkets1 we could sell them to advantage here4 ,they should be well made4 ,we have been introduced to ,mr4 ,francis ,hall1 of the ,new ,york ,spectator1 and about forty ladies1 who are engaged in preparing bedding1 clothing1 c41 for our missions and schools4 ,we gave them a short address on the happy effects of the gospel on the mind and condition of ,indian female converts4 ,john ,sunday's address to them in ,indian was responded to with sobs through the room4 ,brother ,bangs addressed those present on behalf of the ,indians exhorting them to diligence and faithfulness4 ,he said that we would always find in the ,christian females true encouragement and aid4--,h4 ,elder ,case was anxious to re-open the school for ,indian girls at ,grape ,island4 ,in writing from the ,credit1 he says3 ,when we gave up the female school it was designed to revive it1 and we had in view to employ one of the ,miss ,rolphs4 ,if she can be obtained we shall be much gratified4 ,we wish everything done that can be done to bring forward the children in every necessary improvement1 especially at the most important stations1 and the ,credit is one of the most important4 ,can you afford any assistance to ,peter ,jacobs8 ,we are very solicitous to see some talent in composition among some of our most promising scholars4 ,we are authorised by the ,dorcas ,society1 of ,new ,york1 to draw for #bj to purchase a cow for the use of the mission family at the ,credit1 and you are at liberty to get one now1 or defer it till the ,spring4 ,as probably the #bj will purchase a cow1 and pay for her keeping through the winter4 ,our way this far has been prosperous4 ,i never saw the pulse of ,missionary ardour beat higher4 ,tickets of admission at the anniversaries might be sold by hundreds for a dollar each4 ,but they were distributed gratis4 ,the collection at the female anniversary was #bag1 and a handful of gold rings 7about #bj74 ,the superintendent is truly missionary2 rejoicing in the plan of our aiding them in the conversion of the ,indians on this side of the lines4 ,bros4 ,doxtadors and ,hess' visit is well received1 and a good work commenced at the ,oneida4--,h4 ,in a letter written to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 by the ,rev4 ,james ,richardson1 on the #bnd ,oct41 #ahbi1 referring to the privilege granted to the ,indians of taking salmon 7as mentioned on p4 #ff71 he said3 ,as ,i came home1 ,i stopped at ,james ,gages'1 and found that he was much displeased with the ,indians for holding their fish so high4 ,he says his son could obtain them for less than #a_/c;d4 currency 7#be;c474 ,some of them were not worth half that4 ,he remarked that ,wm4 ,kerr and others expressed great dissatisfaction with the ,indians for taking advantage of the privilege granted to them1 and also for haughtiness in their manner of dealing with their old friends4 ,i am afraid that unless they be moderate and civil1 a prejudice will be excited against them1 which may prove detrimental to the missionary cause4 ,the respectable part of the inhabitants would be pleased to have the ,indians supported in this privilege1 if they could purchase fish of them at a moderate price4--,h4 ,elder ,case1 who was greatly interested in the success of the ,indian ,schools1 and who--with a view to demonstrate the usefulness of the schools--proposed to take two of the ,credit ,indian boys to the ,missionary ,meetings in ,january1 #ahcj1 says3-- ,i should be glad to have something interesting at the ,york ,anniversary4 ,perhaps we may have a couple of promising boys from this ,station4 ,henry ,steinheur will accompany me to ,lake ,simcoe1 and perhaps ,allen ,salt#ad will come up as far as ,york4 ,they are both fine boys1 and excellent singers4 ,a providential opening having occurred for getting the ,scriptures translated into the ,indian language1 ,rev4 ,wm4 ,ryerson1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,york1 #bdth ,february1 #ahcj1 says3-- ,i lately received a letter from the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,west1 one of the agents for the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society1 expressing the anxiety he felt that the ,scriptures should be translated into the ,chippewa language4 ,he said that if proper application were made1 he would take great pleasure in laying it before the ,committee of the ,parent ,society1 and use his influence to obtain any assistance that might be wanted4 ,viewing this as a providential opening1 ,i think that steps should be taken to have the translation made4 ,from your residence among the ,indians1 and knowledge of their manners and customs1 and your acquaintance with those natives that are the best advanced in religious knowledge and experience1 do you not think that the ,joneses are the best qualified to translate the ,scriptures8--,h4 ,note4--,the reply was in the affirmative1 and ,peter ,jones was entrusted by the ,u4 ,c4 ,bible ,society with the work4#ae--;,h4 ,april #gth1 #ahbi4--,writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 from ,philadelphia1 at this date1 ,elder ,case says3 ,there is a fine feeling here in favour of the ,canada ,church and the ,mission cause4 ,peter ,jones and ,j4 ,hess are in ,new ,york overlooking the printing of the gospels1 etc4 ,we hope to bring back with us the ,gospel of ,mark1 with other portions contained in the ,book of ,common ,prayer1 the ,spelling-book and a ,hymn book in ,mohawk1 and a ,hymn-book in ,chippewa4 ,they are all in the press1 and will be ready by #eth ,may1 when we leave to return4--,h4 ,,footnotes3 #aj ,my home was mostly at ,john ,jones'1 brother of ,peter ,jones2 sometimes at ,wm4 ,herkimer's1 a noble ,indian convert1 with a noble little wife4 #aa ,see page #gh4 #ab ,cheehock1 ,a bird on the wing1 referring to my going about constantly among them4 #ac ,they often retire to the woods for private prayer1 and sometimes their souls are so blessed1 they praise ,god aloud1 and can be heard at a considerable distance4 #ad ,these ,indian boys subsequently became noted for their piety and missionary zeal on behalf of their red brethren4--,h4 #ae ,an unexpected delay occurred in getting the translation made by ,rev4 ,peter ,jones printed1 as explained in a letter from ,rev4 ,george ,ryerson to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,bristol1 ,august #fth1 #ahca4 ,he says3-- ,peter ,jones1 after his return from ,london1 experienced several weeks' delay in getting his translation prepared for the press1 in consequence of a letter from the ,committee on the ,translations of the ,u4 ,c4 ,bible ,society--,drs4 ,harris1 ,baldwin1 and ,wenham--stating that the translation was imperfect4 ,he had1 in consequence1 to go over the whole translation with ,mr4 ,greenfield1 the ,editor of the ,bible ,society ,translations4 ,mr4 ,greenfield is a very clever man1 and has an extensive knowledge of languages4 ,he very soon acquired the idiom of the ,chippewa language so that he became better able to judge of the faithfulness of the translation4 ,mr4 ,greenfield went cheerfully through every sentence with ,mr4 ,jones1 and made some unimportant alterations1 expressed himself much pleased with the translation1 and thinks it the most literal of any published by the ,bible ,society4 ,it is now passing through the press1 and will soon be sent to ,canada4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 #ahbg-ahbh4 ,labours and ,trials--,civil ,rights ,controversy4 ,at the ,conference of #ahbg ,i was appointed to the ,cobourg ,circuit1 extending from ,bowmanville village to the ,trent1 including ,port ,hope1 ,cobourg1 ,haldimand1 ,colborne1 ,brighton1 and the whole country south of ,rice ,lake1 with the townships of ,seymour and ,murray4 ,on this extensive and labourious ,circuit ,i am not aware that ,i missed a single appointment1 notwithstanding my controversial engagements#af and visits to the ,indians of ,rice ,lake and ,mud ,lake4 ,i largely composed on horseback sermons and replies to my ecclesiastical adversaries4 ,my diary of those days gives the following particulars3-- ,hope1 ,newcastle ,district1 ,sept4 #bcrd1 #ahbg4--;,i have now commenced my ministerial labours amongst strangers4 ,religion is at a low ebb among the people2 but there are some who still hold fast their integrity1 and are asking the way to ,zion with their faces thitherwards4 ,i have preached twice to-day and been greatly assisted from above4 ,sept4 #beth4--,i have laboured with much heaviness to-day4 ,i spent part of the day in visiting the ,rice ,lake ,indians4 ,they seem very healthy1 and are happy in the ,lord4 ,we have selected a place for building a school house4 ,with gratitude and joy they offer to assist in the building4 ,sept4 #cjth4--,another month gone6 ,i review the past with mingled feelings of gratitude and regret4 ,october #bnd4--,yesterday and to-day ,i have laboured under severe affliction of mind4 ,i am as one tempest driven1 without pilot1 chart1 or compass4 ,oct4 #dth4--,this evening at the prayer-meeting1 how delightful was it to hear two children pour out their melting supplications at the throne of grace4 ,out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise4 ,oct4 #ith4--,i began my labours last ,sunday1 weak and sick1 but my strength increased with my labour1 and ,i was stronger in body and happier in soul at night than in the morning4 ,oct4 #ajth4--,i have now finished my first journey round the circuit4 ,my health has not been good4 ,two persons have joined the society to-night1 and several more in class expressed a determination never to rest till they found peace with ,god through ,jesus ,christ4 ,oct4 #agth4--,i have been employed in controversial writing1 and sorely tempted to desist from preaching4 ,oct4 #bjth4--,i have been greatly interested and strengthened in reading the ,life of ,dr4 ,coke4 ,the trials with which he was assailed1 and the spirit in which he encountered them1 afforded encouragement to me4 ,his meeting with the venerable ,asbury1 in the ,church built in the vast forest1 is one of the most affecting scenes ,i ever read4 ,oct4 #bast4--,to-day we held our first quarterly meeting on the circuit1 and1 bless the ,lord1 it was a reviving time4 ,oct4 #bgth4--,archdeacon's ,strachan's ,ecclesiastical ,chart had so excited the righteous indignation of ,elder ,case1 that he wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 at this date1 from ,cobourg1 in regard to it4 ,i insert his letter1 as it expresses 7though in strong language7 the general feeling of those outside of the ,church of ,england in regard to this ,chart4#ag ,he said3-- ,notice the providence which has brought to light the mis-statements of the ,ecclesiastical ,chart4 ,this is one instance out of many in which false representations have gone ,home in regard to the character of the people and the state of religion4 ,as such a spirit of intolerance is altogether averse to the mild spirit of the gospel1 so it is also a most dangerous and daring assumption of power over the rights of conscience4 ,against this high-handed and domineering spirit1 ,god himself has ever set his face4 ,let the ,doctor be reminded of the case of ,haman and the despised dissenting ,jew1 who refused to bow down to the courtiers of the king4 ,the ,doctor's wrath is kindled against those whom he calls dissenters1 and who refuse to submit to his ,church rule4 ,we have said1 whom the ,doctor calls 'dissenters4' ,i aver that the term is not at all applicable to the religious denominations in this country4 ,from what ,church have they dissented8 ,indeed most of the first inhabitants of this country never belonged to the ,church of ,england at all4 ,they were from the first attached to the denominations4 ,some to the ,presbyterian1 some to the ,baptist1 some to the ,methodist1 and only a small portion to the ,church of ,england4 ,nor had they any apprehensions1 while supporting the rights of the ,crown1 that an ecclesiastical establishment of ministers of whom they have never heard1 was to be imposed1 upon them1 as a reward for their loyalty6 ,indeed1 they had the faith of the ,government pledged1 that they should enjoy the rights of conscience4 ,and in view of this was the charter of the ,province formed1 to secure liberty of conscience and freedom of thought4 ,the blow at a loyal portion of ,her ,majesty's subjects was aimed at them in the dark1 #d1jjj miles away1 and without an opportunity of defending themselves4 ,an act so ungenerous1 and in a manner so impious too1 cannot be endured4 ,we must defend ourselves against the unjust slanders of the ,doctor4--,h4 ,nov4 #aith4--,i have been blessed with more comfort this evening in preaching from ,matt4 xxii4 #aa-ac1 to a congregation composed principally of drunkards and swearers4 ,my heart was warmed1 my tongue loosened1 and my understanding enlarged4 ,nov4 #bjth4--,i have been to the ,rice ,lake ,mission3 found them still growing in grace4 ,the children are clean--many of them handsome4 ,the school teacher is happy in his work4 ,dec4 #abth4--,my mind has been greatly afflicted this evening in settling a difference between two brethren4 ,dec4 #beth4--,last night we had a service in this place 7,presque ,isle7 to celebrate the incarnation of our blessed ,saviour4 ,seven souls professed to experience the pardoning love of ,christ4 ,many who came mourning went home rejoicing4 ,january #ast1 #ahbh4--;,i am now brought to the close of another year1 and the commencement of a new era of existence4 ,the first part of the year ,i spent principally amongst the ,indians1 and have reason to believe the ,lord blest my labours amongst those needy and loving people1 but my own soul was oft in heaviness4 ,the latter part of the year ,i have been on a ,circuit1 and have found my enjoyments and improvement increased4 ,the ,societies are growing in piety1 my bodily wants have been all supplied1 and ,i have experienced the fulfilment of the promise1 ,if ye forsake father and mother1 the ,lord will take thee up4 ,may ,i ever rest on it6 ,jan4 #bnd4--,the following letter was written at this date to ,dr4 ,ryerson by his ,mother4 ,she says3-- ,my not writing to you1 ,i understand from your letter to ,father1 has given you much uneasiness2 but ,i can assure you ,i have felt much concerned about it myself1 for fear that you should entertain the thought of its proceeding from unkindness or neglect3 but let the feelings of affection of a ,mother suffice and answer it all4 ,be convinced that her happiness depends upon your welfare1 and that her daily prayers will ever be offered up to the throne of grace in yours and the rest of her children's behalf4 ,o that the ,lord may keep you humble and faithful1 looking unto him for grace and strength to enable you to work in ,his blessed cause1 to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation through a dear ,redeemer to lost and perishing souls6 ,this is a great comfort to me1 and more than ,i deserve4 ,none other compensates for all my trials and afflictions here1 as that ,god1 of ,his goodness1 should have inclined the hearts of many of my dear children to seek ,his face and to testify to the ways of ,god being the ways of pleasantness and peace4 ,at so much goodness my soul doth bless and praise my ,god and ,redeemer4 ,my dear boy1 you must not forget to pray for your poor unworthy ,mother1 that she may be daily renewed in the inner man1 and so kept by the grace of ,god1 as to be able to endure unto the end1 and at last to be received among those that are made perfect1 to praise ,him that hath redeemed us for ever and ever4 ,your kind and anxious enquiries about home1 ,i shall endeavour to answer4 ,your dear ,father has returned1 and is as well as usual1 but still suffers much at times4 ,your heavenly ,father has been pleased to lay ,his hand of affliction once more upon your sister1 ,mrs4 ,mitchell1 by taking away her youngest boy in ,november last4 ,edwy1 ,i am happy to say1 appears to persevere in serving ,god1 which1 with the blessing of ,god1 may he continue to do4 ,your brother ,george has left for ,england4 ,he desires that all your letters be sent to him in ,england1 which contain anything interesting about the ,indians1 or of the work of religion4 ,the state of religion in this part1 ,i think1 is rather on the rise1 that is to say1 they attend better to public worship1 and receive their preacher in a more friendly manner than before4 ,write as often as you can to let us know how you are1 and how the work of religion is progressing4--,h4 ,jan4 #crd4--,i have this day visited the ,indians at ,rice ,lake3 all prosperity here4 ,i have been much refreshed this evening in meeting my beloved brother and fellow-labourer in the ,gospel1 ,peter ,jones4 ,these pleasing interviews bring to mind many refreshing seasons we have enjoyed together1 when seeking the lost sheep of the house of ,israel4 ,this year thus far1 has been attended with peculiar trials2 my health has not been good2 ,i have had conflicts without1 and fears within4 ,jan4 #cjth4--,visited a poor woman to-day in the last stage of consumption1 she gives evidence that her peace is made with ,god4 ,i find it a heavy cross to visit the sick4 ,help me1 ,lord1 to search out the mourner1 bind up broken hearts1 and comfort the sorrowful4 ,february #bbnd--,a ,central ,committee at ,york having1 of behalf of the various non-,episcopal denominations1 deputed ,rev4 ,george ,ryerson to proceed to ,england to present petitions to the ,imperial ,parliament against the claims of the ,church of ,england in this ,province1#ah the ,rev4 ,william ,ryerson was requested to write to his brother ,george on the subject4 ,in his letter he gave the following explanation of the sources of information from which ,archdeacon ,strachan's ,ecclesiastical ,chart was compiled4 ,he said3-- ,it may be proper to apprise you that the ,church of ,england has been making an enquiry into the religious state of the ,province1 the result of which they have sent home to the ,imperial ,parliament4 ,and in order to swell their numbers as much as possible1 they have sent persons through almost every part of the ,province1 who1 when they come into a house1 enquire of the head of the family as to what ,church he belongs4 ,if he says1 to the ,methodist1 or any other body of dissenters1 they next enquire if their children belong to the same ,church4 ,if they say no1 they set the children as members of the ,church of ,england6 ,if they say that neither themselves nor their children belong to any particular ,church1 they set them all down as members of the ,church of ,england6 ,so that should they make a parade of their numbers you can tell how they got them4 ,the ,report of the ,society for the ,promotion of ,christian ,knowledge1 for #ahba1 gives the number of communicants in the ,church of ,england here as between #d1jjj and #e1jjj4 ,in the ,chart1 the ,methodist communicants only have been returned1 which is about #i1jjj4 ,the number of those who call themselves ,methodists1 is1 at least1 four times that number1 or #cf1jjj4 ,this is the way in which almost all the other bodies estimate their numbers1 the ,baptists excepted4 ,cobourg1 ,feb4 #bgth4--,dr4 ,ryerson's youngest brother1 ,edwy1 who remained at home1 wrote from there on the #bjth1 in regard to his ,father's health and religious life4 ,he says3-- ,i think there is no doubt but that he will1 in a short time be able1 with the care and the mercy of ,almighty ,god1 to enjoy himself again at the family altar4 ,he says that1 by the grace of ,god1 the remainder of his days shall be devoted to the service of ,god4 ,he feels that he has acceptance with ,god2 that ,god condescends to receive him--blessed be ,god6 ,my dear ,egerton1 although we have had great difficulties and many trials to contend with1 yet the ,lord has stood by us1 and by ,his goodness and mercy ,he has kept us from sinking under them1 by pointing out ways and means for our escape1 and ,he has brought our aged ,father to the knowledge of ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord4 ,oh1 my dear brother1 let us praise the name of ,god forever1 who hath dealt so bountifully with us4 ,mother is much better than when you were here4 ,father and ,mother send their love to you4 ,may the ,lord give you good speed1 and crown your labours with success in the saving of souls4 ,april #crd4--,with a view to throw an incidental light upon the personal influence which prompted ,dr4 ,ryerson to controvert certain statements made by ,archdeacon ,strachan1#ai ,i quote a letter which ,dr4 ,ryerson's brother ,william wrote to him from ,york1 on the #ast1 as follows3-- ,i send you a pamphlet containing ,dr4 ,strachan's defence before the ,legislative ,council4 ,if ,i had time ,i would write a reply1 at least to a part of it4 ,i think you had better write a full answer to it4 ,you will perceive that the ,doctor's defence consists in telling what he told certain gentlemen in ,england and what they told him4 ,the misstatements and contradictions with which he has been charged1 he has not noticed4 ,such as that the ,church is rapidly increasing1 and spreading over the whole country1 and that the tendency of the population is towards the ,church of ,england1 and that the instructions of dissenters are rendering people hostile to our institutions1 civil and religious4 ,he says3 ,it is said ,i have offended the ,methodists4 ,who told him so8 ,i presume it must have been his own conscience4 ,if you write a full answer would it not be better to do it in the form of letters1 addressed to the doctor1 and signed by your real name8 ,write in a candid1 mild1 and kindly style1 and it will have a much more powerful effect upon the mind of the public4 ,do not cramp yourself1 but write fully1 seriously1 and effectually4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's reflections upon the peculiar difficulties of his itinerant life at this time are recorded in his diary1 under date of ,april #acth1 as follows3-- ,no situation of life is without its inconveniences2 but1 perhaps1 the ,methodist itinerant ,preacher is more exposed to privations than most others4 ,his home is everywhere1 and amongst persons of every description2 and if he needs retirement or books1 where can he find a retreat to hide himself1 or a secret place where he can1 like ,jacob1 wrestle till the dawn of day8 ,he is a target to be shot at by every one2 his weaknesses and failings tried every way2 and1 after his youth1 his health1 his life1 his all are spent1 he too often dies an enfeebled and impoverished man4 ,but1 bless the ,lord1 all does not end here4 ,we have a building of ,god1 eternal in the heavens2 and we have a home where the wicked cease from troubling1 and the weary are at rest4 ,dr4 ,ryerson resumes his diary on the #ith of ,may4 ,he says3 ,my time has of late been much taken up with provincial affairs4 ,i have felt a hardness towards those who ,i think are injuring the interests of the country1 and with whom it has fallen to my lot to be much engaged in controversy4 ,necessity seems at present to be laid upon me1 from which ,i cannot free myself4 ,may #ajth--,sunday4--,to-day ,i delivered a discourse on ,missions4 ,i had intended much1 this being a favourite topic with me1 but ,i made out nothing1 and ,i felt truly humbled4 ,aug4 #ast4--,for months past ,i have been greatly tried4 ,my controversial labours have occupied too much of my time and attention4 ,i thank ,god1 the day of deliverance seems to be dawning4 ,the invisible hand of the infinitely wise ,being is clearly at work1 and ,i have no doubt the result will be to ,his glory4 ,dr4 ,ryerson then continues the narrative of his life4 ,he says3-- ,a change in my domestic and public life now commenced1 which involved my marriage1 and my appointment to the ,hamilton and ,ancaster ,circuits4 ,in my diary ,i say3-- ,aug4 #bdth4--,i soon expect to alter my situation in life4 ,what an important step6 ,how much depends upon it in respect to my comfort1 my literary and religious improvement1 and my usefulness in the ,church8 ,i have kept up a correspondence with a lady since and before ,i was an itinerant preacher2 but postponed marriage since ,i became a minister1 thinking that ,i should be more useful as a single man4 ,my ministerial friends all advise me now to marry1 as every obstacle seems moved out of the way and ,i have now travelled three years4 ,ancaster1 ,oct4 #cast4--,i have passed through a variety of scenes since ,i last noted the dealings of the ,lord with me4 ,on the #ajth of ,september1 #ahbh1 ,i entered into the married state with ,miss ,hannah ,aikman1 of ,hamilton4 ,through the tender mercy of ,god1 ,i have got a companion who1 ,i believe1 will be truly a help-meet to me1 in spiritual as well as temporal things4#bj ,the ,hamilton and ,ancaster ,circuit reached from ,stoney ,creek1 east of ,hamilton1 to within five miles of ,brantford1 including the township of ,glandford2 thence including the ,jersey settlement1 ,dundas ,street1 and ,nelson1 to ten miles north of ,dundas ,street1 embracing ,trafalgar1 the mountain beyond the town of ,milton1 ,credit1 and back to ,stoney ,creek4 ,the death of the ,rev4 ,wm4 ,slater1 my colleague and ,superintendent1 about the middle of the year1 was a great loss and affliction to me1 as ,i had to take his place4 ,brother ,slater had been the colleague of my brother ,john for two years1 and he was now mine for the second year4 ,he was a true ,englishman1 a true friend1 and a faithful and cheerful minister4 ,about the middle of this year 7#ahbh7 were held the ,ryan ,conventions at ,copetown1 in ,west ,flamboro'1 and ,picton1 ,prince ,edward ,district1 of which ,i have given an account in ,the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pp4 #bdg-bfi4 ,,footnotes3 #af ,the first of these controversial engagements extended from the spring of #ahbf until the spring of #ahbg2 the second from the spring of #ahbh until near midsummer of the same year4--,h4 #ag ,the nature and purpose of this ,chart are fully explained and discussed by ,dr4 ,ryerson in his ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pp4 #afe-bbj4 #ah ,see ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 p4 #bbb4 #ai ,letters from the ,reverend ,egerton ,ryerson to the ,honourable and ,reverend ,dr4 ,strachan4 ,published originally in the ,upper ,canada ,herald1 ,kingston1 ,u4,c41 #ahbh4 ,pp4 #db--;,in his advertisement or preface1 ,dr4 ,ryerson illustrates the pressing nature of his engagements at the time when he was engaged in the controversy with ,archdeacon ,strachan4 ,he also referred to the unusual difficulties with which he had to contend in writing these ,letters to the ,archdeacon4 ,of many important and most forcible arguments against establishments1 especially those derived from the ,holy ,scriptures1 the author has not availed himself1 nor has he referred to so many historical authorities as might have been adduced1 99 99 99 as he has had to travel nearly two hundred miles1 and preach from twenty to thirty sermons a month4 ,see note on p4 #hj and also ,chapter viii4--,h4 #bj ,this union was of comparatively short duration4 ,mrs4 ,ryerson died on the #cast of ,january1 #ahcb1 at the early age of #bh4 7,see the latter part of ,chapter ix47 ,,chapter ,,vii4 #ahbh-ahbi4 ,ryanite ,schism--,m4 ,e4 ,church of ,canada ,organized4 ,there is a break in ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,story at this point2 no record of any of the events of his life1 from ,august1 #ahbh1 to ,september1 #ahbi1 was found among the ,,mss4 left by him4 ,the ,editor1 therefore1 avails himself of the numerous letters preserved by the venerable author1 from which he is enabled to continue a narrative1 at least in part1 of the principal events in his then active life4--,h4 ,hamilton1 #fth ,nov4--,writing at this date1 from ,cobourg1 to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 on the expediency of petitioning the ,legislature to give the ,methodist ,ministry the right to perform the marriage ceremony amongst their own people1 ,elder ,case1 says3-- ,should not the petition include all dissenters1 and the prayer be for authority to perform the marriage rite for members of our congregations8 ,i would rather not have any law in our favour1 but that which gives the privilege to the ,calvinists4 ,if the ,church of ,england is not the established religion of this province 7and who believes it is87 dissenters at least1 have an equal right with the ,church4 ,if numbers and priority are to determine the right1 the dissenters have a superior right1 for they were first here1 and they are more numerous4 ,we cannot but feel a pious indignation at the idea1 that all should not enjoy the same privilege1 in regard to marriage2 and can this be the fact when one denomination1 in any sense whatever1 has a control over the marriage ceremony of another denomination8 ,the ,ryanite ,schism1 which commenced in #ahbd1 is fully described by ,dr4 ,ryerson in his ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pp4 #bdg-bfi4 ,in a letter from his brother ,john1 dated ,river ,thames1 ,january #bhth1 #ahbd1 the strife caused by this schism is thus referred to4 ,mr4 ,ryerson also describes the state of the ,societies in the ,london ,district during this crisis4 ,he said3-- ,i am happy to hear that ,mr4 ,ryan's plans are defeated1 and that the measures you have adopted to frustrate his machinations against ,elder ,case1 have proved successful4 ,i hope you will continue to assist and support ,elder ,case1 especially in this affair1 and on many other accounts he is deserving of much esteem2 his disinterested exertions in behalf of the ,missionary interest in ,canada1 are deserving of the highest praise4 ,the work is prospering in the different parts of this ,district4 ,niagara and ,ancaster ,circuits are rising4 ,there is a good work in ,oxford1 on the ,long ,point ,circuit1 as also on the ,london and ,westminster ,circuits4 ,the ,indian ,mission1 on the ,grand ,river1 is progressing finely4 ,at the ,salt ,springs1 about thirty have been added to the ,society1 among whom are some of the most respectable chiefs of the ,mohawk and ,tuscarora nations4 ,visiting them1 from wigwam to wigwam1 they in general appear to be thankful4--,h4 ,the ,ryanite controversy turned chiefly on the refusal at first of the ,american ,general ,conference to separate the ,canada work from its jurisdiction4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 in a letter from ,pittsburg1 ,pa41 dated ,may1 #ahbh1 gave ,dr4 ,ryerson the particulars of the reversal of that decision4 ,he says3-- ,a ,committee of five persons has been appointed on the ,canada ,question4 ,dr4 ,bangs is the chairman4 ,the ,committee reported last ,thursday pointedly against the separation2 declaring it1 in their opinion1 to be unconstitutional4 ,dr4 ,bangs brought the report before the ,conference1 and made a long speech against the separation4 ,william and myself replied to him pointedly1 and at length1 and were supported by the ,rev4 ,drs4 ,fisk and ,luckey4 ,dr4 ,bangs was supported by ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,henings1 ,lindsey1 and others4 ,the matter was debated with astonishing ability and deep-felt interest on both sides1 for two days1 when the question being put1 there were #aje in favour of the separation1 and #dc against--a majority on our side of #fb4 ,our kind friends were much delighted1 and highly gratified at our singular and remarkable triumph2 and those who opposed us1 met us with a great deal of respect and affection4 ,you will1 doubtless1 be surprised on hearing of ,dr4 ,bangs' opposing us as he has done1 but you are not more surprised and astonished than we were2 and we had no knowledge of his opposition to the separation until the morning of the debate1 when he got up and commenced his speech in ,conference4 ,but1 blessed be ,god for ever1 amidst the painful and trying scenes through which we have passed in the ,conference business1 the ,god of ,david has stood by us1 and has given us a decided victory4 ,nov4 #bbnd4--,elder ,case1 in a letter from ,cobourg1 gives a detailed account of the efforts put forth by ,rev4 ,henry ,ryan to foment discord among the societies4 ,he says3 ,as in the west so in the east1 ,elder ,ryan had induced several members to attend as delegates at his convention in ,hallowell4 ,at ,matilda1 ,george ,brouse2 at ,kingston1 ,bro4 ,burchel and ,henry ,benson have been elected to go4 ,mr4 ,case then urges that a circular be issued to the societies setting forth that the ,conference1 so far as they have had evidence1 has laboured in every instance to do justice to ,mr4 ,ryan1 and even to afford him greater lenity1 on account of former standing1 than1 perhaps the discipline of the ,church would justify4 ,in a subsequent letter1 dated ,prescott1 #bgth ,november1 ,elder ,case thus describes the proceedings of ,mr4 ,ryan4 ,he says3 ,on my way down1 ,i spent a few hours at ,kingston1 one day at ,brockville1 and one here4 ,i have learned all the circumstances of ,mr4 ,ryan's proceedings4 ,at one place he would declare in the most positive manner that he would head no division1 that he would even be the first to oppose any such work1 he would esteem it the happiest day in his life if1 by their assistance1 he could regain his standing in the ,church1 and that the measures which he was now professing would prevent a division4 ,but when he thought he had gained the confidence of his listeners1 and they had entered fully into his views1 he would throw off his disguise1 and openly declare1 as he did at ,matilda1 ,now1 we will pull down the tyrannical spirit of the ,conference4 ,there will1 there must be a split1 c4 ,brother1 there is one very material obstacle in the way of effecting a split1 in our societies1 and raising a fog of any considerable duration1 i4e41 the authors of this work may1 by their strong and positive statements1 make a people mad for a division4 ,but1 when there is a sense of religion in the mind1 they will become good natured--they can't be kept mad long4 ,our people in these parts are becoming quite good natured1 and now perceive their arch friend has made a fool of them4 ,to show how deeply the ,ryanite schism had affected the ,societies1 and how widely the agitation had spread1 we give a few extracts from a letter written from ,london 7,u4,c471 to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 by his brother ,john1 dated #bnd ,january4 ,he says3-- ,the day ,i left you ,i rode to ,oxford 7#eb miles71 and after preaching1 ,i gave an explanation of ,ryan's case1 an hour and a half long4 ,my dear brother1 this is a desperate struggle4 ,i am using every possible exertion to defeat ,ryan4 ,i go from house to house to see the friends ,i don't see at the meetings4 ,could you not go to ,burford and see ,mr4 ,matthews1 as he has a great deal of influence in ,burford and the ,governor's ,road8 ,egerton1 by all means1 try and go1 even if you have to neglect appointments4 ,though ,i know it is hard for you1 ,i am sure the approbation of your conscience1 and the approbation of the ,church1 will afford you an ample reward4 ,it will also be necessary for you to keep a look out about ,ancaster4 ,write to ,rev4 ,james ,richardson1 and tell him to look out1 and also write to ,rev4 ,s4 ,belton1 and ,rev4 ,a4 ,green4 ,don't fail to go to ,burford and1 if you can1 to ,long ,point also1 and hold public meetings on the subject4#ba ,nov4 #bfth4--,at the ,conference held this year 7#ahbh71 at ,switzer's ,chapel1 ,ernestown1 ,bishop ,hedding presiding1 resolutions were adopted organizing the ,canada ,conference into an independent ,methodist ,episcopal ,church in ,canada4 ,subsequently1 ,rev4 ,wilbur ,fisk1 ,a4,m41 ,principal of the ,wilbraham ,academy1 ,u4,s41 was elected ,general ,superintendent1 or ,bishop1 of the newly organized ,church4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was deputed to convey the announcement of this election to ,mr4 ,fisk1 which he did on this day1 as follows3-- ,the ,canada ,conference of the ,m4,e4 ,church have taken the liberty of nominating you for our ,general ,superintendent1 agreeably to the resolutions of the ,general ,conference4 ,i take the liberty1 and have the pleasure of observing that the nomination was warm and unanimous2 and ,i hope and pray1 that while our wants excite your compassion1 our measures1 in this respect1 will meet your cordial approbation and receive your pious compliance4 ,although writing to a person whom ,i have never seen1 yet the pleasure and profit ,i have derived in perusing your successful apologies in favour of the pure ,gospel of ,christ against the invasions of modern libertinism1 remind me that ,i am not writing to an entire stranger2 and your able and affectionate appeal to the late ,general ,conference in behalf of ,canada--of which my brothers gave a most interesting account--emboldens me to speak to you as a man speaketh with his friend4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,fisk's reply to this letter is as follows3-- ,the deep solicitude ,i have felt1 to weigh the subject well1 to watch the openings of divine providence1 and decide in the best light1 have induced me to deliberate until this time ,april4 ,all my deliberations upon this subject have resulted in a confirmation of my earliest impressions in relation to it--that it will not be prudent for me to accept of the affectionate and flattering invitation of the ,canada ,conference4 ,i feel1 however1 the influence of contrary emotions4 ,my high sense of the honour you have done me1 is enhanced by the consideration that the nomination was unanimous and warm4 ,i highly appreciate1 and cordially reciprocate those warm and concurrent expressions of confidence and affection4 ,the information ,i have of the character of the ,conference1 joined with my personal acquaintance with some of its members1 convinces me1 that whoever superintends the ,canada ,church1 will have a charge that will cheer his heart1 and hold up his hands in his official labours4 ,equally encouraging and inviting1 are the growing prospects of your country and your ,church1 and especially of your missionary stations4 ,these to a man of missionary enterprise1 who loves to bear the banner of the cross1 and push its victories more and more upon the territories of darkness and sin1 are motives of high and almost irresistible influence4 ,and they have so affected my mind1 that although my local attachments to the land of my fathers1 and for that branch of the ,church where ,i was1 and have been nurtured1 are strong2 although my aged parents lean upon me to support their trembling steps1 as they descend to the tomb2 although ,i might justly fear the influence of your climate upon an infirm constitution2 yet these considerations1 strengthened as they are by a consciousness of my own inability1 and by the almost unanimous dissuasives of my friends1 would hardly of themselves have induced me to decline your invitation1 were it not that ,i am connected with a literary institution that promises much advantage to the ,church and to the public1 but which1 as yet1 will require close and unremitting attention and care on my part for some time to come1 to give it that direction and permanency which will secure its usefulness4#bb ,nov4 #bhth1 #ahbh4--,mr4 ,h4 ,c4 ,thompson1 of ,kingston1 who had charge of the re-printing in pamphlet form of ,dr4 ,ryerson's recent letters on ,archdeacon ,strachan's sermon1 writes to him to say3--,it lingers in the press1 merely for the want of workmen1 who cannot be procured in this place4#bc ,he adds3--,the changes which have recently taken place in the two provinces cannot fail to gratify every lover of his country1 though the party in power will no doubt hang their heads in sullen silence4 ,i am highly pleased with the ,methodist ,ministers' ,address to the ,governor1 and the reply thereto1--,strachanism must seek a more congenial climate4 ,march #aith1 #ahbi4--;,dr4 ,ryerson had1 at this time1 met with an accident1 but his life was providentially spared4 ,elder ,case1 writing from ,new ,york1 at this date1 speaking of it1 says3 ,thank the ,lord that your life was preserved4 ,the enemies of our ,zion would have triumphed in your death4 ,may ,god preserve you to see the opponents of religious liberty1 and the abettors of faction frustrated in all their selfish designs and hair-brained hopes6 ,i have seen a letter from the ,rev4 ,richard ,reece1 dated ,london1 #aith ,january1 to ,mr4 ,francis ,hall1 of the ,new ,york ,commercial ,advertiser and the ,spectator1 in which he says3 ,i am of opinion that the ,english ,conference can do very little good in ,upper ,canada4 ,had our preachers been continued they might have raised the standard of primitive ,english ,methodism1 which would have had extensive and beneficial influence upon the work in that province1 but having ceded by convention the whole of it to your ,church1 ,i hope we shall not interfere to disturb the people4 ,they must1 as you say1 struggle for a while1 and your bishops must visit them1 and ordain their ministers1 till they can do without them4 ,he speaks of being highly gratified at the conversion of the ,indians in ,canada4 ,,footnotes3 #ba ,rev4 ,henry ,ryan was born #aggf entered the ministry in #ahjj1 and died at his residence1 in ,gainsborough1 on the #bnd ,september1 #ahcc1 aged #eg years4--,h4 #bb ,the post-office endorsement on this letter was as follows3--,paid to ,lewistown1 ,n4,y41 #be;c4 postage2 ferryage to ,niagara1 #b;d42 from ,niagara to ,hamilton1 #d-a_/b;d42 total1 #cf cents postage1 for what in #ahhb costs only one-twelfth of that amount4--,h4 #bc ,the title of this pamphlet 7in possession of the ,editor7 is3 ,claims of ,churchmen and ,dissenters of ,upper ,canada brought to the test in a ,controversy between several ,members of the ,church of ,england and a ,methodist ,preacher4 ,kingston1 #ahbh4 pp4 #bcb4 7,see note on page #hj1 and also ,chapter viii47 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,green1 in his ,life and ,times1 thus speaks of the effect of the publication of these letters upon ,rev4 ,franklin ,metcalf and himself3--,the sermon was ably reviewed in the columns of the ,colonial ,advocate1 in a communication over the signature of ,a ,methodist ,preacher4 ,mr4 ,metcalf and ,i took the paper into a field1 where we sat down on the grass to read4 ,as we read1 we admired2 and as we admired1 we rejoiced2 then thanked ,god1 and speculated as to its author1 little suspecting that it was a young man who had been received on trial at the late ,conference 7#ahbe74 ,we read again1 and then devoutly thanked ,god for having put it into the heart of some one to defend the ,church publicly against such mischievous statements1 and give the world the benefit of the facts of the case4 ,the ,reviewer proved to be ,mr4 ,egerton ,ryerson1 then on the ,yonge ,street ,circuit4 ,this was the commencement of the war for religious liberty1 pp4 #hc1 #hd4 7,see also page #adc of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism47--,h4 ,for specimens of ,dr4 ,ryerson's controversial style in this his first encounter1 see the extracts which he has given from the pamphlet itself on pages #adf--adi1 etc41 of ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism4--,h4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 #ahbi-ahcb4 ,establishment of the ,christian ,guardian--,church claims resisted4 ,dr4 ,ryerson takes up the ,story of his ,life at the period of the ,conference of #ahbi4 ,he says that2-- ,at this ,conference it was determined to establish the ,christian ,guardian newspaper4 ,the ,conference elected me as ,editor1 with instructions to go to ,new ,york to procure the types and apparatus necessary for its establishment4#bd ,in this ,i was greatly assisted by the late ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bangs1 and the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,collard1 of the ,new ,york ,methodist ,book ,concern4 ,the hardships and difficulties of establishing and conducting the ,christian ,guardian for the first year1 without a clerk1 in the midst of our poverty1 can hardly be realized and need not be detailed4 ,the first number was issued on the #bbnd ,november1 #ahbi4 ,the list of subscribers at the commencement was less than #ejj4 ,three years afterwards 7in #ahcb71 when the first ,editor was appointed as the representative of the ,canadian ,conference to ,england1 the subscription list was reported as nearly #c1jjj4 ,the characteristics of the ,christian ,guardian during these three eventful years 7it being then regarded as the leading newspaper of ,upper ,canada7 were defence of ,methodist institutions and character1 civil rights1 temperance principles1 educational progress1 and missionary operations4 ,it was during this period that the ,methodist and other denominations obtained the right to hold land for places of worship1 and for the burial of their dead1 and the right of their ministers to solemnize matrimony1 as also their rights to equal civil and religious liberty1 against a dominant church establishment in ,upper ,canada1 as ,i have detailed in the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pp4 #abi-bdf4 ,the foregoing is the only reference to this period of his life which ,dr4 ,ryerson has left4 ,i have1 therefore1 availed myself of his letters and papers to continue the narrative4 ,june--,august1 #ahcj4--,with a view to correct the misstatements made in regard to the ,methodists in ,canada1 and to set forth their just rights1 ,dr4 ,ryerson devoted a considerable space in the ,christian ,guardian of the #bfth ,june2 and #crd1 #ajth1 #bdth1 and #cast ,july1 and #adth ,august1 #ahcj1 to a concise history of that body in this country1 in which he maintained its right to the privileges proposed to be granted to it under the ,religious ,societies ,relief ,bill of that time4#be ,he pointed out1 as he expressed it1 that-- ,his ,majesty's ,royal assent would have been given to that bill had it not unfortunately fallen in company with some ruthless vagrant 7in the shape of a secret communication from our enemies in ,canada7 who had slandered1 abused1 and tomahawked it at the foot of the throne4 ,oct4 #aath4--,being desirous of availing himself of his brother ,george's educational advantages and ability in his editorial labours1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 under this date1 wrote to him in his new charge at the ,grand ,river4 ,he said3-- ,i am glad to hear that you enjoy peace of mind1 and feel an increasing attachment to your charge4 ,it is more than ,i do as ,editor4 ,i am scarcely free from interruption long enough to settle my mind on any one thing1 and sometimes ,i am almost distracted4 ,on questions of right1 and liberty1 as well as on other subjects1 ,i am resolved to pursue a most decided course4 ,your retired situation will afford you a good opportunity for writing useful articles on various subjects4 ,i hope you will write often and freely4 ,nov4 #ast4--,another reason1 which apparently prompted ,dr4 ,ryerson to appeal to his brother ,george for editorial help1 was the fear that the increasing efforts of the influential leaders of the ,church of ,england to secure a recognition of her claims to be an established church in ,upper ,canada might be crowned with success4 ,he1 therefore1 at this date wrote to him again on the subject1 and said4-- ,the posture of affairs in ,england appears1 upon the whole1 more favourable to reform than in ,upper ,canada4 ,we are resolved to double our diligence2 to have general petitions in favour of the abolition of every kind of religious domination1 circulated throughout the ,province1 addressed to the ,provincial and ,imperial ,parliaments1 and take up the whole question--decidedly1 fully1 and warmly4 ,we must be up and doing while it is called to-day4 ,it is the right time4 ,there is a new and ,whig ,parliament in ,england1 and ,i am sure our own ,house of ,assembly dare not deny the petitions of the people on this subject4 ,nature of the ,struggle for ,religious ,equality4 ,during this and many succeeding years the chief efforts of ,dr4 ,ryerson and those who acted with him were directed1 as intimated before1 against the efforts put forth to establish a dominant church in ,upper ,canada4 ,a brief resum of the question will put the reader in possession of the facts of the case3-- ,the late ,bishop ,strachan1 in his speech delivered in the ,legislative ,council1 ,march #fth1 #ahbh1 devoted several pages of that speech 7as printed7 to prove that the ,church of ,england is by law the ,established ,church of this ,province4 ,this statement in some form he put forth in every discussion on the subject4 ,the grounds upon which this claim was founded were also fully stated by ,rev4 ,wm ,betteridge1 ,b4,d4 7of ,woodstock71 who was sent to ,england to represent the claims of the ,church of ,england in this controversy4 ,these claims he put forward in his ,brief ,history of the ,church in ,upper ,canada1 published in ,england in #ahch4 ,he rests those claims upon what he considers to have been the intention of the ,imperial ,parliament in passing the ,clergy ,reserve sections of the ,act 7#ca ,geo ,,iii41 c4 #ca7 in #agia1 and also on the ,king's ,instructions to the ,lieutenant-,governor of ,upper ,canada in #ahah4 ,he further contended that the ,extinction of the ,tithes ,act1 passed by the ,upper ,canada ,legislature in #ahbc1 inferentially recognized the dominancy of the ,church of ,england in ,canada as a ,church of the ,empire4 ,beyond this alleged inferential right to be an ,established ,church in ,upper ,canada1 none in reality existed4 ,it was1 therefore1 to prevent this inference1--which was insisted upon as perfectly clear and irresistible1--from receiving ,imperial or ,provincial recognition as an admitted or legal fact1 that the persistent efforts of ,dr4 ,ryerson and others were unceasingly directed during all of those years4 ,few in the present day can realize the magnitude of the task thus undertaken4 ,nor do we sufficiently estimate the significance of the issues involved in that contest--a contest waged for the recognition of equal denominational rights and the supremacy of religious liberty4 ,all of these questions are now happily settled upon the best and surest foundation4 ,but it might have been far otherwise had not such men as ,dr4 ,ryerson stepped into the breach at a critical time in our early history2 and if the battle had not been fought and won before the distasteful yoke of an establishment had been imposed upon this young country1 and burdensome vested interests been thereby created1 which it would have taken years of serious and protracted strife to extinguish4 ,as the fruits of that protracted struggle for religious equality have been long quietly enjoyed in this province1 there is a disposition in many quarters to undervalue the importance of the contest itself1 and even to question the propriety of reviving the recollection of such early conflicts4 ,in so far as we may adopt such views we must necessarily fail to do justice to the heroism and self-sacrifice of those who1 like ,dr4 ,ryerson1 encountered the prolonged and determined opposition1 as well as the contemptuous scorn of the dominant party while battling for the rights which he and others ultimately secured for us4 ,those amongst us who would seek to depreciate the importance of that struggle for civil and religious freedom1 must fail also to realize the importance of the real issues of that contest4 ,to those who have given any attention to this subject1 it is well known that the maintenance of the views put forth by ,dr4 ,ryerson in this controversy involved personal odium and the certainty of social ostracism4 ,it also involved1 what is often more fatal to a man's courage and constancy1 the sneer and the personal animosity1 as well as ridicule1 of a powerful party whose right to supremacy is questioned1 and whose monopoly of what is common property is in danger of being destroyed4 ,although ,dr4 ,ryerson was a gentleman by birth1 and the son of a ,british officer and ,u4 ,e4 ,loyalist1 yet the fact that1 as one of the despised sect of ,methodists1 he dared to question the right of the ,church to superiority over the ,sectaries1 subjected him to a system of petty and bitter persecution which few men of less nerve and fortitude could have borne4 ,as it was1 there were times when the tender sensibilities of his noble nature were so deeply wounded by this injustice1 and the scorn and contumely of his opponents1 that were it not that his intrepid courage was of the finest type1 and without the alloy of rancour or bravado in it1 it would have failed him4 ,but he never flinched4 ,and when the odds seemed to be most against him1 he would1 with humble dependence upon ,divine help1 put forth even greater effort2 and1 with his courage thus reanimated1 would unexpectedly turn the flank of his enemy2 or1 by concentrating all his forces on the vulnerable points of his adversary's case1 completely neutralize the force of his attack4 ,it must not be understood from this that ,dr4 ,ryerson cherished any personal animosity to the ,church of ,england as a ,divine and ,spiritual power in the land4 ,far from it4 ,in his first campaign against the ,venerable ,archdeacon of ,york 7,dr4 ,strachan71 he took care to point out the difference between the principles maintained by the aggressors in that contest and the principles of the ,church itself4 ,he said3-- ,whatever remarks the ,doctor's discourse may require me to make1 ,i wish it to be distinctly understood that ,i mean no reflection on the doctrines1 liturgy1 or discipline of the ,church of which he has the honour to be a minister4 ,be assured ,i mean no such thing4 ,i firmly believe in her doctrines1 ,i admire her liturgy1 and ,i heartily rejoice in the success of those principles which are therein continued1 and it is for the prosperity of the truths which they unfold that ,i shall ever pray and contend4 ,and1 with respect to ,church government1 ,i heartily adopt the sentiments of the pious and the learned ,bishop ,burnet1 that that form of ,church government is the best which is most suitable to the customs and circumstances of the people among whom it is established4#bf ,such was ,dr4 ,ryerson's tribute to the ,church of ,england in1 #ahbf4 ,his disclaimer of personal hostility to that ,church 7near the close of the protracted denominational contest in regard to the ,clergy ,reserves71 will be found in an interesting personal correspondence1 in a subsequent part of this book1 with ,john ,kent1 ,esq41 ,editor of ,the ,church newspaper in #ahda-b4 ,with a view to enable ,canadians of the present day more clearly to understand the pressing nature of the difficulties with which ,dr4 ,ryerson had to contend1 almost single-handed1 fifty years ago1 ,i shall briefly enumerate the principal ones3-- #a4 ,the whole of the official community of those days1 which had grown up as a united and powerful class1 were bound together by more than official ties1 and hence1 as a family compact1 they were enabled to act together as one man4 ,this class1 with few exceptions1 were members of the ,church of ,england4 ,they regarded her--apart from her inimitable liturgy and scriptural standards of faith--with the respect and love which her historical prestige and assured status naturally inspired them4 ,they maintained1 without question1 the traditional right of the ,church of ,england to supremacy everywhere in the ,empire4 ,they1 therefore1 instinctively repelled all attempts to deprive that ,church of what they believed to be her inalienable right to dominancy in this ,province4 #b4 ,those who had the courage1 and who ventured to oppose the ,church claims put forth by the clerical and other leaders of the dominant party of that time1 were sure to be singled out for personal attack4 ,they were also made to feel the chilling effects of social exclusiveness4 ,the cry against them was that of ignorance1 irreverence1 irreligion1 republicanism1 disloyalty1 etc4 ,these charges were repeated in every form2 and that1 too1 by a section both of the official and religious press1 a portion of which was edited with singular ability2 a press which prided itself on its intelligence1 its unquestioned churchmanship and exalted respect for sacred things1 its firm devotion to the principle of ,church and ,state--the maintenance of which was held to be the only safeguard for society1 if not its invincible bulwark4 ,an illustration of the profession of this exclusive loyalty is given by ,dr4 ,ryerson in these pages4 ,he mentions the fact that the plea to the ,british ,government put forth by the leaders of the dominant party1 as a reason why the ,church of ,england in this ,province should be made supreme and be subsidized1 was that she might then be enabled to preserve the principles of loyalty to ,england from being overwhelmed and destroyed by the ,yankee ,methodists1 as represented by the ,ryersons and their friends6 #c4 ,the two branches of the ,legislature were divided on this subject4 ,the ,house of ,assembly represented the popular side1 as advocated by ,dr4 ,ryerson and other denominational leaders4 ,the ,legislative ,council 7of which the ,ven4 ,archdeacon ,strachan was an influential member17 maintained the clerical views so ably put forth by this reverend leader on the other side4 #d4 ,except by personal visits to ,england--where grievances could alone be fully redressed in those days--little hope was entertained by the non-,episcopal party that their side of the question would 7if stated through official channels71 be fairly or fully represented4 ,even were their case presented through these channels they were not sure but that 7as strikingly and quaintly put by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 on page #id74 ,in company with some ruthless vagrant--in the shape of a secret communication from enemies in ,canada--it would be slandered1 abused1 and tomahawked at the foot of the throne4 ,as an illustration also of the spirit of the ,chief ,executive in ,upper ,canada in dealing with the questions in dispute1 ,i quote the following extract from the reply of ,sir ,john ,colborne to an address from the ,methodist ,conference in #ahca4bg ,he said3 ,your dislike to any church establishment1 or to the particular form of ,christianity which is denominated the ,church1 of ,england1 may be the natural consequence of the constant success of your own efficacious and organized system4 ,the small number of our ,church#bh is to be regretted1 as well as that the organization of its ministry is not adapted to supply the present wants of the dispersed population in this new country2 but you will readily admit that the sober-minded of the province are disgusted with the accounts of the disgraceful dissensions of the ,episcopal ,methodist ,church and its separatists1 recriminating memorials1 and the warfare of one ,church with another4 ,the utility of an ,establishment depends entirely on the piety1 assiduity1 and devoted zeal of its ministers1 and on their abstaining from a secular interference which may involve them in political disputes4 ,the labours of the clergy of established churches in defence of moral and religious truth will always be remembered by you1 who have access to their writings1 and benefit by them in common with other ,christian ,societies4 ,you will allow1 ,i have no doubt1 on reflection that it would indeed be imprudent to admit the right of societies to dictate1 on account of their present numerical strength1 in what way the lands set apart as a provision for the clergy shall be disposed of4 ,the system of ,university ,education which has produced the best and ablest men in the ,united ,kingdom will not be abandoned here to suit the limited views of the leaders of ,societies who1 perhaps1 have neither experience nor judgment to appreciate the value or advantages of a liberal education4444 ,such was the spirit in which the ,governor in those days replied to the respectful address of a large and influential body of ,christians4 ,he even went further in another part of his reply1 and referred to the absurd advice offered by your missionaries to the ,indians1 and their officious interference4#bi ,such language from the lips of ,her ,majesty's ,representative1 if at all possible in these days1 would provoke a burst of indignation from those to whom it might be addressed1 but it had to be endured fifty years ago1 when to question the prerogative of the ,crown1 or the policy of the ,executive1 was taken as prima facie evidence of disloyalty1 and republicanism4 #e4 ,into the discussion of the claims of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada1 two questions entered1 which were important factors in the case4 ,both sides thoroughly understood the significance of either question as an issue in the discussion2 and both sides were1 therefore1 equally on the alert--the one to maintain the affirmative1 and the other the negative1 side of these questions4 ,the first was the claim that it was the inherent right of the ,church of ,england to be an established church in every part of the empire1 and1 therefore1 in ,upper ,canada4 ,both sides knew that the admission of such a claim1 would be to admit the exclusive right of that ,church to the ,clergy ,reserves as her heritage4 ,it was argued1 as an unquestionable fact1 that the exclusive right of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada to such reserves must have been uppermost in the mind of the royal donor of these lands1 when the grant was first made4 ,the second point was1 that the admission of this inherent right of the ,church of ,england to be an established church in ,upper ,canada1 would extinguish the right of each one of the nonconformist bodies to the status of a ,church4 ,it can well be understood that in a contest which involved vital questions like these 7that is1 of the exclusive endowment of one ,church1 and its consequent superior status as a dominant ,church71 the struggle would be a protracted and bitter one4 ,and so it proved to be4 ,but justice and right at length prevailed4 ,a portion of the ,reserves was impartially distributed1 on a common basis among the denominations which desired to share in them1 and the long-contested claims of the ,church of ,england to the exclusive status of an established church were at length emphatically repudiated by the ,legislature2 and1 in #ahed1 the last semblance of a union between ,church and ,state vanished from our ,statute ,book4#cj--;,j4 ,g4 ,h4 ,dec4 #ahth1 #ahcj4--;,in the ,guardian of this day1 ,dr4 ,ryerson published a petition to the ,imperial ,parliament1 prepared by a large ,committee1 of which he was a member1 and of which ,dr4 ,w4 ,w4 ,baldwin was ,chairman4 ,in that petition the writer referred to the historical fact1 that1 had the inhabitants of this ,province been dependent upon the ,church of ,england or of ,scotland for religious instruction1 they would have remained destitute of it for some years1 and also that the pioneer non-,episcopal ministers were not dissenters1 because of the priority of their existence and labours in ,upper ,canada4 ,the petition1 having pointed out that there were only five ,episcopal clergy in ,canada during the war of #ahab1 and that only one ,presbyterian minister was settled in the ,province in #ahah1 declared that3 ,the ministers of several other denominations accompanied the first influx of emigration into ,upper ,canada1 7#aghc-agij17 and have shared the hardships1 privations1 and sufferings incident to missionaries in a new country4 ,and it is through their unwearied labours1 that the mass of the population have been mainly supplied with religious instruction4 ,they1 therefore1 do not stand in the relation1 of ,dissenters from either the ,church of ,england or of ,scotland1 but are the ministers of distinct and independent ,churches1 who had numerous congregations in various parts of the ,province1 before the ministerial labours of any ecclesiastical establishment were1 to any considerable extent1 known or felt4 ,jan4 #bjth1 #ahca4--;,as an evidence that the views put forth by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the ,guardian1 against an established ,church in ,upper ,canada1 were acceptable outside of his own denomination1 ,i give the following letter1 addressed to him at this date from ,perth1 by the ,rev4 ,wm4 ,bell1 ,presbyterian3 ,though differing from you in many particulars1 yet in some we agree4 ,your endeavours to advance the cause of civil and religious liberty have generally met my approbation4 ,some of your writings that ,i have seen discover both good sense and ,christian feeling4 ,the liberality1 too1 you have discovered1 both in regard to myself and in regard of my brethren1 has not escaped my observation4 ,be not discouraged by the malice of the enemies of religion4 ,your ,guardian ,i have seldom seen1 but from this time ,i intend to take it regularly4 ,consider me one of your constant readers4 ,the matters in which we differ are nothing in comparison of those in which we agree4 ,feb4 #ith4--,some members of the ,church of ,england in the ,province evinced a good deal of hostility to the ,methodists of this period1 chiefly from the fact that they had been connected with the ,methodist ,episcopal ,church in the ,united ,states1 and that the ,canada ,conference had formed one of the ,annual ,conferences of that ,church1 presided over by an ,american ,bishop4 ,as an evidence of this hostility1 ,dr4 ,ryerson stated in the ,guardian of this date1 that ,donald ,bethune1 ,esq41 and others1 of ,kingston1 had petitioned the ,house of ,assembly3-- ,to prohibit any exercise of the functions of a priest1 or exhorter1 or elder of any denomination in the ,province except by ,british subjects2 #bnd1 to prevent any religious society connected with any foreign religious body to assemble in ,conference2 #crd1 to prevent the raising of money by any religious person or body for objects which are not strictly ,british1 etc4 ,the ,legislature appointed a ,committee on the subject1 and ,dr4 ,ryerson1 as representing the ,methodists1 ,rev4 ,mr ,harris the ,presbyterians1 and ,rev4 ,mr4 ,stewart the ,baptists1 were summoned to attend this ,committee with a view to give evidence on the subject4 ,this ,dr4 ,ryerson did at length1 7as did also these gentlemen74 ,dr4 ,ryerson traced the history of the ,methodist body in ,canada1 and showed that1 three years before this time1 the ,canada ,conference had taken steps to sever its connection with the ,american ,general ,conference1 and had done so in a friendly manner4#ca ,the petition was aimed at the ,methodists1 as they alone answered the description of the parties referred to by the petitioners4 ,the petition was also a covert re-statement of the often disproved charge of disloyalty1 etc41 on the part of the ,methodists4 ,the ,house very properly came to the conclusion-- ,that it was inconsistent with the benign and tolerant principles of the ,british ,constitution to restrain by penal enactment any denomination of ,christians1 whether subjects or foreigners1 etc4 ,this1 however1 was a sample of the favourite mode of attack1 and the system of persecution to which the early ,methodists were exposed in this ,province4 ,at the same session of ,parliament in #ahca1 the ,marriage ,bill1 which had been before the ,house each year for six successive years1 was finally passed4 ,this ,bill gave to the ,methodists and to other non-,episcopal ministers the right for the first time to solemnize matrimony in ,upper ,canada4 ,feb4 #aith4--,sir ,john ,colborne1 the ,lieutenant-,governor1 having nominated an ,episcopal chaplain to the ,house of ,assembly1 the question1 ,is the ,church of ,england an established church in ,upper ,canada8 was again debated in the ,house of ,assembly and discussed in the newspapers4 ,with a view to a calm1 dispassionate1 and historical refutation of the claims set up by the ,episcopal ,church on the subject1 ,dr4 ,ryerson reprinted in the ,guardian of this day1 the sixth of a series of letters which he had addressed from ,cobourg to ,archdeacon ,strachan1 in ,may and ,june1 #ahbh4 ,it covered the whole ground in dispute4#cb ,nov4 #fth1 #ahcb4--;,archdeacon ,strachan1 in his sermon1 preached at the visitation of the ,bishop of ,quebec at ,york1 on the #eth of ,september1 speaking of the ,methodists1 said that he would-- ,speak of them with praise1 notwithstanding their departure from the ,apostolic ordinance1 and the hostility long manifested against us by some of their leading members4 ,in reply to this statement1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote from ,st4 ,catharines to the ,editor of the ,guardian4 ,he pointed out that3-- ,it was not until after ,archdeacon ,strachan's sermon on the death of the former ,bishop of ,quebec was published1 in #ahbf1 that a single word was written1 and then to refute his slanders4 ,in that sermon1 when accounting for the few who attend the ,church of ,england1 the ,archdeacon said that their attendance discouraged the minister1 and that-- ,his influence is frequently broken or injured by numbers of uneducated1 itinerant preachers1 who1 leaving their steady employment1 betake themselves to preaching the ,gospel from idleness1 or a zeal without knowledge 444 and to teach what they do not know1 and which from their pride they disdain to learn4#cc ,again1 in ,may1 #ahbg1 ,archdeacon ,strachan sent an ,ecclesiastical ,chart to the ,colonial ,office1 and in the letter accompanying it stated that3-- ,the ,methodist teachers are subject to the orders of the ,united ,states of ,america1 and it is manifest that the ,colonial ,government neither has1 nor can have any other control over them1 or prevent them from gradually rendering a large portion of the population1 by their influence and instructions1 hostile to our institutions1 civil and religious1 than by increasing the number of the ,established ,clergy4 ,who then ,dr4 ,ryerson asked was the author of contention8 ,who was the aggressor8 ,who provoked hostilities8 ,the slanders in the ,chart were published in ,canada1 and in ,england1 by ,dr4 ,strachan before a single effort was made by a member of any denomination to counteract his hostile measures1 or a single word was said on the subject4 99 99 99 99 99 ,nov4 #aith1 #ahcd4--;,in connection with this subject ,i insert here the following reply 7containing several historical facts7 to a singularly pretentious letter which ,dr4 ,ryerson had inserted in the ,guardian of this date1 denouncing the opposition of a certain sect called ,methodists to the claims of the ,church of ,england as an established church in the ,colony4 ,the reply was inserted in order to afford strangers and new settlers in ,upper ,canada correct information on the subject1 and to disprove the statement of the writer of the letter1 ,dr4 ,ryerson mentioned the following facts3-- ,the pretensions of the ,episcopal clergy began to be disputed by the clergy of the ,church of ,scotland as soon as it was known that the former had got themselves erected into a corporation4 ,this was1 ,i believe1 in #ahbj4cd ,the subject was brought before the ,house of ,assembly in #ahbd1 and the ,house in #ahbd1 '#be1 '#bf1 '#bg1 passed resolutions remonstrating against the exclusive claims of the ,episcopal clergy4 ,from #ahbb to #ahbg several pamphlets were published on both sides of the question1 and much was said in the ,house of ,assembly2 but during this period not one word was written by any minister or member of the ,methodist ,church1 nor did the ,methodists take any part in it1 though their ministers were not even allowed to solemnize matrimony--a privilege then enjoyed by ,calvinistic ministers--and though individual ministers had been most maliciously and cruelly persecuted1 under the sanction of judicial authority4444 ,but in the statements drawn up for the ,imperial ,government by the ,episcopal clergy during the years mentioned1 the extirpation of the ,methodists was made one principal ground of appeal by the ,episcopal clergy for the exclusive countenance and patronage of ,his ,majesty's ,government4 ,some of these documents at length came before the ,canadian public2 and in #ahbg a defence of the ,methodists and other religious denominations was put forth by the writer of these remarks in the form of a ,review of a ,sermon preached by the ,archdeacon of ,york4 ,up to this time not one word was said on the church question by the ,methodists4 ,but it was so warmly agitated by others1 that in the early part of #ahbg ,archdeacon ,strachan1 an executive and legislative councillor1 was sent to ,london to support the claims of the ,episcopal clergy at the ,colonial ,office4 ,his ecclesiastical chart and other communications were printed by order of the ,government1 and soon found their way into the provincial newspapers1 and gave rise to such a discussion1 and excited such a feeling throughout the ,province as was never before witnessed4 ,the shameful attack upon the character of the ,methodist ministry1 whose unparalleled labours and sufferings1 usefulness1 and unimpeachable loyalty were known and appreciated in the ,province1 and the appeal to the ,king's ,government to aid in exterminating them from the country excited strong feelings of indignation and sympathy in the public mind4 ,the ,house of ,assembly investigated the whole affair1 examined fifty-two witnesses1 adopted an elaborate report1 and sent home an address to the ,king condemning the statements of the agent of the ,episcopal clergy1 and remonstrating against the establishment of a dominant church in the ,province4#ce ,the determination to uproot the ,methodists was carried so far in those by-gone days of civil and ecclesiastical despotism1 that the ,indians were told by executive sanction that unless they would become members of the ,church of ,england1 the ,government would do nothing for them6 ,in further support of my statement1 ,i quoted four ,episcopal addresses and sermons1 sufficient to show who were the first and real aggressors in this matter--certainly not the ,methodists4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as a sample of ,dr4 ,ryerson's controversial style in #ahbf1 when he wrote the ,review of ,archdeacon ,strachan's sermon 7to which he refers above7 ,i quote a paragraph from it4 ,in replying to the ,archdeacon's remarks on the qualifications1 motives1 and conduct of the ,methodist itinerant preachers1 which ,dr4 ,ryerson considered ungenerous and unfounded1 he proceeded3-- ,the ,methodist preachers do not value themselves upon the wealth1 virtues1 or grandeur1 of their ancestry2 nor do they consider their former occupation an argument against their present employment or usefulness4 ,they have learned that the ,apostles were once fishermen2 that a ,milner could once throw the shuttle2 that a ,newton once watched his mother's flock4444 ,they are likewise charged with preaching the ,gospel out of idleness4 ,does the ,archdeacon claim the attribute of omniscience8 ,does he know what is in man8 ,how does he know that they preach the ,gospel out of idleness8 444 ,what does he call idleness8--the reading of one or two dry discourses every ,sabbath 444 to one congregation1 with an annual income of #bjj or #cjj8444 ,no2 this is hard labour2 this is indefatigable industry6444 ,who are they then that preach the ,gospel out of idleness8--those indolent1 covetous men who travel from two to three hundred miles1 and preach from twenty-five to forty times every month8--who1 in addition to this1 visit from house to house1 and teach young and old repentance towards ,god1 and faith in our ,lord ,jesus ,christ8--those who continue this labour year after year 444 at the enormous salary of #be or #ej per annum8--these are the men who preach the ,gospel out of idleness6 ,o bigotry6 thou parent of persecution2 ,o envy6 thou fountain of slander2 ,o covetousness6 thou god of injustice6 would to heaven ye were banished from the earth6#cf 99 99 99 99 99 ,jan4 #bbnd1 #ahca4--;,in the ,guardian of this day ,dr4 ,ryerson publishes a letter from the ,rev4 ,richard ,watson to the trustees of the ,wesleyan ,university1 in ,connecticut1 declining the appointment of ,professor of ,belles ,lettres and ,moral ,philosophy4 ,he says3-- ,to ,belles ,lettres ,i have no pretensions2 ,moral ,philosophy ,i have studied1 and think it a most important department1 when kept upon its true principles1 both theological and philosophic4 ,being1 however1 fifty years old1 and having a feeble constitution1 ,i do not think it would be prudent in me to accept4 ,during this year 7#ahca7 ,dr4 ,ryerson engaged in a friendly controversy with ,vicar-,general ,macdonnell1 ,editor of the ,catholic1 published in ,kingston4 ,this controversy included six letters from ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and five from the ,vicar-,general1 published in the ,christian ,guardian4 ,it touched upon the leading questions at issue between ,roman ,catholics and ,protestants4 ,the correspondence was broken off by the ,vicar-,general4 ,,footnotes3 #bd ,the following is a copy of the document under the authority of which ,dr4 ,ryerson was deputed to go to ,new ,york to procure presses and types for the proposed ,christian ,guardian newspaper3-- ,this is to certify that the ,bearer1 ,rev4 ,egerton ,ryerson1 is appointed agent for procuring a printing establishment for the ,canada ,conference1 and is hereby commended to the ,christian confidence of all on whom he may have occasion to call for advice and assistance for the above purpose4 7,signed7 ,william ,case1 ,superintendent4 ,james ,richardson1 ,secretary4 ,ancaster1 ,upper ,canada1 ,sept4 #dth1 #ahbi4 #be ,these seven papers1 taken together1 were the first attempt to put into a connected form the history of the ,methodist ,church in ,canada down to #ahcj4--;,h4 #bf ,claims of ,churchmen and ,dissenters1 c41 #ahbf1 p4 #bg4 7,see p4 #hj47 #bg ,for various reasons 7apparently prudential at the time7 this reply was never published in the ,christian ,guardian1 as were other replies of the ,governor4--,h4 #bh ,this expression1 our ,church1 illustrates the fact which ,i have indicated in first paragraph on page #ig4 #bi ,this charge1 preferred by such high authority1 was taken up boldly by the ,methodist authorities4 ,rev4 ,james 7afterwards ,bishop7 ,richardson1 ,presiding ,elder1 was commissioned to inquire into its truthfulness4 ,he made an exhaustive report1 proving the entire incorrectness of the statement1 and that the whole difficulty arose from the persistent efforts of a ,mr4 ,alley 7an employ of the ,indian ,department7 to promote his own interest at the expense of that of the ,indians1 and to remove out of the way the only obstacle to the accomplishment of his purpose--the ,methodist ,missionary4 ,dr4 ,ryerson having pointed out these facts in the ,guardian1 ,capt4 ,anderson1 ,superintendent of ,indian affairs at ,coldwater1 questioned his conclusion that the advice given to the ,indians was both prudent and loudly called for1 and perfectly respectful to ,his ,excellency4 ,dr4 ,ryerson then examined the whole of the evidence in the ,case1 and 7,see ,guardian1 vol4 iii41 p4 #gf7 came to the following conclusion3--#a4 ,that sometimes the local agents of the ,indian ,department are men who have availed themselves of the most public occasions to procure ardent spirits1 and entice the ,indians to drunkenness1 and other acts of immorality2 being apparently aware that with the introduction of virtue and knowledge among these people will be the departure of gain which arises from abuse1 fraud1 and debauchery4 #b4 ,that these agents are not always men who respect the ,sabbath4 #c4 ,that the ,missionary's absurd advice was in effect that the ,indians should apply to their ,great ,father to remove such agents from among them4 #d4 ,that their craft being endangered1 the agents and parties concerned1 with studied design1 sought to injure the missionary in the estimation of ,his ,excellency1 and to destroy all harmony in their operations1 in order1 if possible1 to compel the ,missionary to abandon the ,mission ,station4 ,the effect of this controversy was very salutary4 ,his ,excellency1 having reconsidered the ,case1 gave merited reproof and suitable instructions to the officers of the ,indian ,department in regard to their treatment of the ,methodist ,missionary4 ,dr4 ,ryerson adds3--,we had no trouble thereafter on the subject4 #cj ,another disturbing element entered subsequently into this controversy4 ,and this was especially embarrassing to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 as it proceeded from ministers in the same ecclesiastical fold as himself4 ,i refer to the adverse views on church establishments1 put forth by members of the ,british ,conference in this country and especially in ,england 7to which reference is made subsequently in this book74 ,dr4 ,ryerson was1 as a matter of course1 taunted with maintaining opinions which had been expressly repudiated by his ,methodist superiors in ,england4 ,he had1 therefore1 to wage a double warfare4 ,he was assailed from within as well as from without4 ,besides1 he had to bear the charge of putting forth heretical views in church politics1 even from a ,methodist standpoint4 ,he1 however1 triumphed over both parties--those within as well as those without4 ,and his victory over the former was the more easily won1 as the views of the ,british ,methodists1 on this question were almost unanimously repudiated by the ,methodists of ,canada4 ,see ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pp4 #ccj-cec4--;,h4 #ca ,see pages #fc1 #fd of the ,christian ,guardian for #ahca2 also page #ij1 ante4 #cb ,see ,christian ,guardian of ,feb4 #aith1 #ahca1 and also the pamphlet containing the whole of this series of eight letters1 entitled3 ,letters from the ,reverend ,egerton ,ryerson to the ,honourable and ,reverend ,doctor ,strachan1 published originally in the ,upper ,canada ,herald2 ,kingston1 #ahbh1 pp4 #db1 double columns4 ,see page #hj4--;,h4 #cc ,for reply to this statement see extract from ,review given on p4 #aje4--;,h4 #cd ,in a ,pastoral ,letter from the ,clergy of the ,church of ,scotland in the ,canadas to their ,presbyterian ,brethren issued in #ahbh1 they say3--,we did1 in the year #ahbj1 petition ,his ,majesty's ,government for protection and support to our ,church1 and claimed1 by what we believe to be our constitutional rights1 a participation in the ,clergy ,reserves4 ,montreal1 #ahbh1 p4 #b4 ,this ,pastoral ,letter gave rise to a protracted discussion for and against the ,presbyterian side of the question4--,h4 #ce ,the ,report was adopted by a vote of #bb to #h4 ,it stated3--,the ministry and instructions of the ,methodist ,clergymen have been conducive--in a degree which cannot be easily estimated--to the reformation of their hearers1 and to the diffusion of correct morals--the foundation of all sound loyalty and social order4444 ,no one doubts that the ,methodists are as loyal as any other of ,his ,majesty's subjects1 etc4 ,full particulars of this controversy will be found in ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pp4 #afe-bah4--;,h4 #cf ,in ,an ,apology for the ,church of ,england in ,canada1 by a ,protestant of the ,established ,church of ,england1 the writer thus refers to this controversy3--,our ,methodist brethren have disturbed the peace of their maternal ,church by the clamour of enthusiasm and the madness of resentment2 but they are the wayward children of passion1 and we hope that yet the chastening hand of reason will sober down the wildness of that ferment1 etc4 ,kingston1 ,u4,c41 #ahbf1 p4 #c4--;,h4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 #ahca-ahcb4 ,methodist ,affairs in ,upper ,canada--,proposed ,union with the ,british ,conference4 ,of the events transpiring in ,upper ,canada during #ahca and #ahcb1 in which ,dr4 ,ryerson was an actor1 he has left no record in his ,story4 ,his letters and papers1 however1 show that during this period he retired from the editorship of the ,christian ,guardian1 and that plans were discussed and matured which led to his going to ,england1 in #ahcc1 to negotiate a union between the ,british and ,upper ,canadian ,conferences4 ,his brother ,george had gone on a second visit to ,england in ,march1 #ahca4 ,this second visit was for a twofold purpose1 viz41 to collect money with the ,rev4 ,peter ,jones1 for the ,indian ,missions1 and also to present petitions to the ,imperial ,parliament on behalf of the non-episcopalians of the ,province4 ,i give extracts from his letters to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 relating his experiences of1 and reflections on1 ,wesleyan matters in ,england at that period4 ,writing from ,bristol1 on the #fth of ,august1 #ahca1 ,rev4 ,george ,ryerson said3-- ,in my address to the ,wesleyan ,conference here ,i stated that we stood in precisely the same relation to our brethren of the ,methodist ,conference in the ,united ,states as we do to our brethren of the ,wesleyan ,conference in ,england--independent of either--agreeing in faith1 in religious discipline1 in name and doctrine1 and the unity of spirit1--but differing in some ecclesiastical arrangements1 rendered necessary from local circumstances4 ,i also expressed my firm conviction that the situation in which we stand is decidedly the best calculated to spread ,methodism and vital religion in ,canada4 ,this statement did not1 ,i think1 give so much satisfaction to the ,conference as the others1 for what ,pope said of ,churchmen3 ,is he a ,churchman8 then he's fond of power1 may also be literally applied to ,wesleyan ministers1 and1 ,i may add1 to ,englishmen generally4 ,i have reason to know that they would gladly govern us4 ,i was1 therefore1 very pointed and explicit on this subject4 ,i rejoice that our country lies beyond the ,atlantic1 and is surrounded by an atmosphere of freedom4 ,a few months' residence in this country would lead you to value this circumstance in a degree that you can scarcely conceive of2 and you would1 with unknown energy1 address this exhortation to the ,methodists and to the people of ,canada3 ,stand fast1 therefore1 in the liberty wherewith ,god's providence hath made you free1 and in this abound more and more4 ,i also assured them of our respect and love for them as our fathers and elder brethren1 and mentioned my reasons for giving this information to prevent future collision and misunderstanding4 ,the ,conference or ,missionary ,society have1 however1 not given up their intention of establishing an ,indian ,mission in ,upper ,canada1 but1 in consequence of my remonstrances1 have delayed it4 ,brother ,james ,richardson's letter to the ,missionary ,committee1 which ,i submitted1 and was told by ,rev4 ,dr4 ,townley1 one of the ,secretaries1 that they would by no means withdraw their missionary at ,kingston1 as it was still their intention to establish a mission to the ,indians in ,upper ,canada1 and this station would be very necessary to them4 ,i see that they are a little vexed that emigrants from their ,societies should augment our membership4 ,the whole morning service of the ,church of ,england is now read in most of the ,wesleyan ,chapels1 and with as much formality as in the ,church4 ,many of the members1 when they become wealthy and rise in the world1 join the ,church1 and their wealth and influence are lost to the ,society4 ,organs are also introduced into many of their ,chapels4 ,in a letter dated ,london1 ,feb4 #fth1 #ahcb1 ,rev4 ,geo4 ,ryerson writes again to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and says that he and ,peter ,jones3 ,by request1 met the ,rev4 ,richard ,watson1 and some others of the ,missionary ,committee4 ,they wished to consult us respecting the resolutions forwarded to them from your ,missionary ,committee4 ,they profess that they will not occupy any station where there is a mission1 as ,grand ,river1 ,penetanguishene1 etc41 except ,st4 ,clair4 ,but they declare that as it regards the white population1 the agreement with the ,american ,conference ceased when we became a separate connexion4 ,i opposed their views1 as ,i have invariably done1 in very strong and plain terms1 and explained to them the character and object of the persons who were alluring them to commence this schism4 ,they proposed that we should give up the missions to them4 ,i told them we could no more do so1 than they give up theirs4 ,they finally acquiesced1 and voted the #cjj as ,rev4 ,dr4 ,townley wrote4 ,at the ,conference1 at ,bristol1 ,i explained that a union of the two ,conferences would be inexpedient and unprofitable1 any further than a union of brotherly love and friendship4 ,in another letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from his brother ,george1 dated ,london1 ,april #fth1 #ahcb1 he says3-- ,i have been detained so long on expenses1 and continually advancing money for the ,central ,committee at ,york1 that ,i hope it will be repaid to ,peter ,jones4 ,i was a long time attending to the business of my mission to bring it to the only practicable arrangement1 that is1 having it submitted to the ,legislature of ,upper ,canada1 with such recommendations and instructions as would give satisfaction to the country by consulting the wishes and interests of all parties4 ,i have never before in my life been shut up to walk in all things by simple faith more than ,i have for some months past2 yet ,i was never kept in greater steadfastness and peace of mind1 nor had such openings of the ,spirit and life of ,jesus in my soul4 ,the judgments of ,god are spreading apace--the cholera is more deadly in ,london1 and it has now broken out in ,ireland1 and in the centre of ,paris1 where it is said to be very destructive4 ,you need no other evidence of its being a work of ,god1 than to be informed that it is made the public mock of the infidel population of this city2 a state of feeling and conduct in regard to this pestilence that never1 perhaps1 was witnessed from any country1 and that would make a heathen or ,mahommedan ashamed4 ,i have seen gangs of men traversing the streets and singing songs in ridicule of the cholera1 and have seen caricatures of it in the windows4 ,august #bith1 #ahcb4--,to-day1 in a valedictory editorial1 ,dr4 ,ryerson took leave of the readers of the ,christian ,guardian1 having been its first editor for nearly three years4 ,in that valedictory ,dr4 ,ryerson said 7p4 #aaf73-- ,i first appeared before the public as a writer1 at the age of two and twenty years4 ,my first feeble effort was a vindication of the ,methodists1 and several other ,christian denominations against the uncalled-for attack made upon their principles and character4 ,it also contained a remonstrance against the introduction into this country of an endowed political ,church1 as alike opposed to the statute law of the ,province1 political and religious expedience1 public rights and liberties4 ,i believe this was the first article of the kind ever published in ,upper ,canada1 and1 while from that time to this a powerful combination of talent1 learning1 indignation1 and interest has been arrayed in the vain attempt to support by the weapons of reason1 ,scripture1 and argument1 a union between the ,church and the world--between earth and heaven2 talents1 truth1 reason1 and justice have alike been arrayed in the defence of insulted and infringed rights1 and the maintenance of a system of public1 religious1 and educational instruction1 accordant with public rights and interests1 the principles of sound policy1 the economy of ,providence1 and the institutions and usages of the ,new ,testament4 ,dr4 ,ryerson also published in this number of the ,guardian the general outline of the arrangements proposed at ,hallowell 7,picton7 on behalf of the ,canada ,conference to the ,english ,conference1 and designed to form the basis of articles for the proposed union between the two bodies4 ,rev4 ,robert ,alder was present at the ,conference1 and was a consenting party to the basis of union4 ,december #gth1 #ahcb4--,the prospects of ,union with the ,british ,conference were not encouraging in various parts of the ,connexion1 and chiefly for the reasons mentioned by ,rev4 ,george ,ryerson in his letters from ,england 7see pp4 #ajg1 #h74 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,cobourg1 also says3-- ,the subject of the ,union appears to be less and less palatable to our friends in these parts1 so much so1 that ,i think it will not be safe for you to come to any permanent arrangements with the ,british ,conference1 even should they accede to our proposals4 ,i am of the opinion that1 except we give ourselves entirely into their hands in some way or another1 no ,union will take place4 ,i tell the preachers1 and they and ,i tell the people1 that1 ,union or no ,union1 it is very important that you should go home2 that you will endeavour1 in every way you can1 to convince the ,british ,conference of the manifest injustice and wickedness of sending missionaries to this country4 ,november #bast1 #ahcb4--,the proposed union with the ,british ,conference excited a good deal of discussion at this time in various parts of ,upper ,canada4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 therefore1 addressed a note on the subject to ,rev4 ,robert ,alder1 the ,english ,conference representative4 ,i make a few extracts3-- ,at the ,hallowell ,conference 7#ahcb7 the question of the union was principally sustained by my brothers1 and was concurred in by the vote of a large majority of the ,conference4444 ,but in some parts of the country1 where ,presidential visits have been made1 certain local preachers have found out that the ,societies ought to have been consulted2 that they have been sold 7by the ,ryersons17 without consent2 that no ,canadian will henceforth be admitted into the ,conference2 that our whole economy will be changed by arbitrary power1 and all revivals of religion will be stopped1 etc4 ,the first of the objections is the most popular1 but they have all failed to produce the intended effect1 to an extent desired by the disaffected few4 ,the object contemplated is1 to produce an excitement that will prevent me going to ,england1 and induce the ,conference to retrace its steps4 ,the merit or demerit of the measure has been mainly ascribed to me2 and on its result1 should ,i cross the ,atlantic1 my standing1 in a great measure1 depends4 ,if our proposals should meet with a conciliatory reception1 and your ,committee would recommend measures1 rather than require concessions1 in the future proceedings of our ,conference1 everything can be accomplished without difficulty or embarrassment4 ,you know that ,i am willing1 as an individual1 to adopt your whole ,british economy1 ex animo4 ,you also know that my brothers are of the same mind1 and that a majority of the ,conference will readily concur4 ,may the ,lord direct aright6 ,dr4 ,alder's reply to ,dr4 ,ryerson in ,february1 #ahcc1 was that3 ,you must look at the great principles and results involved in this most important affair1 and not shrink from the duties imposed on you1 to avoid a few present unpleasant consequences4 ,it is not for me to prescribe rules of conduct to be observed by you1 but ,i must say1 that ,i am surprised that any circumstance should cause you to waver for a moment in reference to your visit to ,europe4 ,if you were to decline coming1 would not the many on the other side1 who are strictly watching your movements1 at once say that the whole arrangements are deceptive1 and merely designed to make an impression on me for a certain purpose4 ,you know they would4 ,of course you will act as you please4 ,i neither advise nor persuade1 but say3 ,be not too soon nor too much alarmed4 ,there are no jealousies1 no evil surmisings1 no ambitious designs in the matter1 but a sincere desire to promote the interests of ,methodism and the cause of religion in ,upper ,canada2 and nothing will be desired from1 or recommended to1 you1 but for this purpose4 ,it is a noble object that we have in view4 ,rev4 ,richard ,watson takes a statesmanlike view of the whole case1 and will1 ,i am persuaded1 as will all concerned here1 meet you with the utmost ingenuousness and liberality1 and1 if they be met in a similar manner1 all will end well4 ,if you can agree to the following recommendation1 ,i think everything else will easily be settled1 viz41 to constitute two or three districts1 to meet annually1 as ,district ,conferences1 and to hold a ,triennial ,conference1 to be composed of all the preachers in the ,provinces1 under a ,president1 to be appointed in the way mentioned in the plan of agreement proposed by your last ,conference4 ,several of your preachers wish it2 ,bro4 ,green1 the presiding ,elder1 is in favour of it4 ,january #ajth1 #ahcc4--;,it being necessary to collect funds to defray ,dr4 ,ryerson's expenses to ,england1 his brother1 ,william1 wrote to him from ,brockville at this date1 giving an account of his success there as a collector4 ,he said3-- ,after the holidays ,i commenced operations1 and having besieged the doors of several of our gentry1 most of whom contributed without much resistance1 on most honourable terms1 of course1 such as paying from #c to #f1 with a great many wishes1 and hearty ones too1 for your success4 ,more than two-thirds of the sum collected are given by the gentlemen of the village1 most of whom expressed and appeared to feel a pleasure in giving1 and who have never been known to give anything to the ,methodists before on any occasion whatever4 ,our congregation has greatly increased1 so that we now have about five hundred1 some say more1 in the evening4 ,a majority of the first families in the village attend our chapel4 ,among many others1 ,mr4 ,jonas ,jones1 and several of the families in the same connection2 ,mr4 ,sherwood1 the ,high ,sheriff1 and several others1 most of whom have never been known to attend a ,methodist meeting before4 ,you will be surprised to hear that ,mrs4 ,james ,sherwood has become my warm friend1 treating me with the greatest attention and kindness2 and also on various occasions speaking most kindly and respectfully of me and all our family1 especially yourself4 99 99 99 99 99 ,january #cast1 #ahcc4--,under this date1 ,dr4 ,ryerson has recorded in his diary the following tribute to his first wife3-- ,a year ago this morning1 at half-past five o'clock1 the wife of my youth fell asleep in ,jesus1 leaving a son and daughter 7,john and ,lucilla ,hannah71 the former two years and a half old1 and the latter fourteen days4 ,hannah ,aikman 7her maiden name7 was the daughter of ,john and ,hannah ,aikman1 and was the youngest of eleven children4 ,hannah was born in ,barton1 ,gore ,district1 on the #dth of ,august1 #ahjd4 ,her natural disposition was most amiable1 and her education was better than is usually afforded to farmer's daughters in this country4 ,at the age of sixteen she was awakened1 converted1 and joined the ,methodist ,church1 of which she remained an exemplary member until her death4 ,i became intimately acquainted with her in #ahbd1 when she was twenty years of age1 and after taking the advice of an elder brother1 who had travelled the circuit on which they lived1 at the strong solicitation of my parents1 and the impulse of my own inclinations1 ,i made her proposals of marriage1 which were accepted4 ,this was before ,i had any intention of becoming a preacher in the ,methodist ,church1 either travelling or local4 ,about this time the ,lord laid his afflicting hand upon me2#cg ,i was brought to the gate of death1 and in that state became convinced by evidence as satisfactory as that of my existence1 that in disregarding the dictates of my own conscience1 and the important advice of many members of the ,church1 both preachers and lay1 in regard to labouring in the itinerant field1 ,i had resisted the ,spirit of ,god2 and on that sick1 and in the estimation of my family1 dying bed1 ,i vowed to the ,lord my ,god1 that if ,he should see fit to raise me up and open the way1 ,i would no more disobey the voice of ,his ,providence and servants4 ,from that hour ,i began visibly to recover1 and1 though the exercises of my mind were unknown to any but myself and the ,searcher of hearts1 before ,i had sufficiently recovered to walk two miles1 ,i was called upon by the ,presiding ,elder1 and several official members1 and solicited to go on the ,niagara ,circuit1 which was then partly destitute through the failure in health of one of the preachers4 ,i could not but view this unexpected call us the voice of ,god1 and1 after a few days' deliberation and preparation1 ,i obeyed1 on the #bdth of ,march1 #ahbe1 the day on which ,i was twenty-two years of age4 ,this unanticipated change in the course of my life1 while it involved the sacrifice of pecuniary interests and some very flattering offers and promises1 presented my contemplated marriage in a somewhat different light2 though the possibility of such a change was mentioned as a condition in my proposals and our engagement4 ,and ,i will here record it to the honour of the dead that she who afterwards became my wife1 wrote to me a short time after ,i commenced travelling1 that if a union between us was in any respect opposed to my views of duty1 or if ,i thought it would militate against my usefulness1 ,i was perfectly exonerated by her from all obligations to such a union2 that1 whatever her own feelings might be1 she begged that they would not influence me1--that ,god would give her grace to subdue them1--that she shuddered at the thought of standing in the way of my duty and usefulness4 ,knowing1 as ,i did1 that her fondness for me was extravagant1 ,i could not wound the heart which was the seat of such elevated feelings1 or help appreciating more highly than ever the principles of mind which could give rise to such noble sentiments1 and such martyr-like disinterestedness of soul4 ,in subsequent interviews1 we mutually agreed--should ,providence permit--and 7at her suggestion7 should neither of us change our minds1 we would get married in three or four years4 ,during this interval1 ,i had at times agitations of mind as to the advantages of such a step1 in regard to my ministerial labours1 but determined to rely on the ,divine promise1 ,blessed is the man that sweareth to his own hurt1 and changeth not4 ,this promise has been abundantly fulfilled in me4 ,we were married on the #ajth of ,september1 #ahbh4 ,a more affectionate and prudent wife never lived4 ,she was beloved and respected by all that knew her4 ,i never saw her angry1 nor do ,i recollect that an angry or unkind word ever passed between us4 ,her disposition was sweet1 her spirit uniformly kind and cheerful1 sociable1 and meek4 ,her professions were never high1 nor her joys rapturous4 ,but in everything she was invariably faithful1 and ready for every good word and work4 ,in her confidence1 peace1 and conduct1 as far as ,i could discover1 without intermission1 the poet's words were clearly illustrated3-- ,her soul was ever bright as noon1 and calm as summer evenings be4 ,though her piety for years excited my respect1 and in many instances my admiration1 it was nevertheless greatly quickened and deepened about six months before her death1 during the ,conference held at ,york4 ,from that time ,i believe she enjoyed the perfect love of ,god4 ,at least1 as far as ,i can judge1 the fruits of it were manifest in her whole life4 ,several days previous to her death1 when her illness assumed a mortal aspect1 and she became sensible that her earthly pilgrimage was closing1 her usual unruffled confidence rose to the riches of the full assurance of understanding1 faith and hope1 and she expressed herself with a boldness of language1 a rapture of hope1 and triumph of faith that ,i never before witnessed4 ,passages of ,scripture1 and verses of hymns1 expressive of the dying ,christian's victories1 triumphs1 and hopes1 were repeated by her with a joy and energetic fervency that deeply affected all present4 ,her deathbed conversations and dying counsels were a rich repast and a valuable lesson of instruction to many of her ,christian friends4 ,the night before she took her departure1 she called me to her and consulted me about disposing of the family and all her own things1 with as much coolness and judgment as if she had been in perfect health1 and was about leaving home on a few days' visit to her friends4 ,a little before midnight she requested the babe to be brought to her--kissed it--blessed it1 and returned it4 ,she then called for the little boy 7,john71 and1 embracing and kissing him1 bequeathed to him also the legacy of a pious mother's dying prayer and blessing4 ,afterwards she embraced me1 and said1 ,my dear ,egerton1 preach the ,word2 be instant in season and out of season1 and ,god will take care of you1 and give you the victory4 ,she then bid an affectionate farewell individually to all4 ,she continued in the perfect possession of her reason1 triumphing in the ,rock of her salvation1 until the messenger arrived and her spirit took its departure with the words1 ,come1 ,lord ,jesus1 lingering upon her lips4 ,thus lived and died one of the excellent of the earth1--a woman of good1 plain sense1 a guileless heart1 and a sanctified spirit and life4 ,such is the testimony respecting her1 of one who knew her best4 ,in his deep sorrow and affliction1 at that time1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received many sympathizing letters4 ,i give an extract of one from his brother ,george1 dated ,london1 ,eng41 #bith ,march1 #ahcb4 ,he says3-- ,i deeply sympathize with you in your affliction4 ,i know how to feel for you1 and you as yet know but a very small part of your trials4 ,years will not heal the wound4 ,i am1 even now1 often quite overwhelmed when ,i allow myself to dwell upon the past4 ,i need not suggest to you the commonplace topics of comfort and resignation1 but ,i have no doubt you will see the hand of ,god so manifestly in it1 that you will say ,it was well done4 ,i will further add that the saying of ,st4 ,paul was at no time so applicable as at the present 7#a ,cor4 vii4 #bi1 etc474 99 99 99 99 99 ,the years #ahcj-ahcb were noted in the history of the ,methodist ,church in ,upper ,canada for two things3 #ast4 ,the establishment of the ,upper ,canada ,academy--the radiating centre of intellectual life in the ,connexion4 #bnd4 ,the erection of the ,adelaide ,st4 ,chapel1 which for many years was the seat and source of ,church life in the ,societies4 ,at the ,conference of #ahcj it was agreed to establish the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,in the ,guardian of the #bcrd of ,april1 #ahca1 ,dr4 ,ryerson gave an account of the new institution and made a strong appeal in its favour4 ,on the #gth ,june1 #ahcb1 the foundation stone of the ,academy was laid at ,cobourg4 ,on the #afth ,june1 #ahcc1 the new brick church on ,newgate 7,adelaide7 ,st4 was opened for ,divine ,service4 ,in the ,guardian of ,june #aith1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3 ,for its size--being #ge by #ee feet--it is judged to be inferior to very few ,methodist ,chapels in ,america4 ,p4 #abf4 ,,footnotes3 #cg ,see note on page #hf and page #bh4 ,,chapter ,x4 #ahcc ,union between the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences ,i undertook the mission to ,england to negotiate a ,union between the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences with great reluctance4 ,i determined in the course of the year1 from various circumstances1 to abandon it2 but was persuaded by letters from ,rev4 ,robert ,alder1 the ,london ,missionary ,secretary 7one of which is given on page #aaj71 and the advice of my brother ,john1 to resume it4 ,the account of my voyage and proceedings in ,england are given in the following extracts from my journals3-- ,march #dth1 #ahcc4--,this morning at #f a4m4 ,i left ,york via ,cobourg1 ,kingston1 and ,new ,york1 on my first important mission to ,england1 an undertaking for which ,i feel myself utterly incompetent2 and in prosecution of which ,i rely wholly on the guidance of heavenly wisdom1 imploring the special blessing of the ,most ,high4 ,kingston1 ,march #aath4--,i find that considerable excitement1 and in some instances1 strong dissatisfaction1 exists on the question of ,union1 by misrepresentation of the proceedings and intentions of our ,conference respecting it4 ,full explanations have in every instance restored confidence1 and acquiescence4 ,a correction of these misrepresentations1 and the reply of the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,committee to the proposals of our ,conference have given universal satisfaction1 and elicited a general and strong desire for the accomplishment of this all-important measure4 ,my interviews with my brothers 7,william and ,john7 have been interesting and profitable to me4 ,watertown1 ,n4,y41 ,march #ab4--;,came from ,kingston here to-day1 twenty-eight miles4 ,this ,black ,river country is very level1 and appears to be fertile1 but the people generally do not seem to be thriving4 ,utica1 ,march #acth4--,this is a flourishing town of about #aj1jjj inhabitants1 beautifully situated on the south side of the ,mohawk river4 ,i travelled through a settlement and village called ,renson1 consisting principally of ,welsh1 where the ,welsh language is universally spoken2 there is a ,whitefield ,methodist chapel1 but ,i was told they retained more of the name1 than of the genuine spirit of their founder4 ,because of swearing the land mourneth4 ,hartford1 ,march #afth4--,the southern part of ,massachusetts and the northern part of this ,state1 are mountainous and rocky and barren4 ,the inhabitants are supported by manufactures1 grazing and dairies4 ,they appear to be rather poor but intelligent4 ,in my conversation to-day with a professed infidel ,i felt sensibly the importance of being skilled in wielding any weapon with which theology1 history1 science1 so abundantly furnishes the believer in the ,christian revelation2 and never before did ,i see and feel the lofty superiority of the foundation on which natural and revealed truth is established1 over the cob-web and ill-shaped edifice of infidelity4 ,hartford1 ,march #agth4--,i have attended service three times to-day1 and preached twice4 ,religion seems to be at a low ebb4 ,yet ,i have not heard religion spoken of1 or any body of religious people referred to1 in any other way than that of respect4 ,new ,york1 ,march #bjth4--,i am now about to embark for ,england1 the reason of my long journey from ,canada to ,new ,york is the slow travel by stage1 before any railroads1 and the ,hudson river not navigable so early4 ,new ,york1 ,march #bast4--,just on the eve of sailing for ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote from ,new ,york to his brother ,john1 at ,hallowell4 ,he said3-- ,i stayed with the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,fisk all night and part of two days4 ,i was much gratified and benefited1 and have received from him many valuable suggestions respecting my mission to ,england and agency for the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,he was unreserved in his communications1 and is in favour of my ,mission1 as were ,brother ,waugh1 ,drs4 ,bangs1 ,durbin#ch and others4 ,they all seem to approve fully of the proceedings of our ,conference in the affair4--,h4 ,new ,york1 ,march #bbnd4--,on the day on which ,dr4 ,ryerson sailed for ,england1 ,mr4 ,francis ,hall1 of the ,new ,york ,commercial ,advertiser1 sent him a note in which he said3-- ,i have just received from a friend in ,montreal the following information which ,i wish you would give to the ,rev4 ,richard ,reece1 of ,london3--,the ,lord has blessed us abundantly in ,montreal4 ,upwards of four hundred conversions have taken place in our chapel since last summer4 ,it is now necessary for us to have a chapel in the ,st4 ,lawrence suburbs1 and another in the ,quebec suburbs immediately4 ,this 7said ,mr4 ,hall7 for those who know ,montreal1 is great news indeed4 ,it is equal to an increase of as many thousands in the city of ,new ,york2 the whole population being only a little more than thirty thousand1 a great portion of which are ,roman ,catholics4--,h4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's journal then proceeds3-- ,at ,sea1 ,april #ajth4--,on the #bbnd ult41 ,i embarked on the sailing ship ,york1 ,capt4 ,uree1 ,new ,york4 ,i was sick for fourteen days1 ate nothing1 thought little1 and enjoyed nothing4 ,feeling better1 ,i was able to read a little4 ,april #abth4--,after twenty days' sail we landed at ,portsmouth4 ,thanks be to the ,god of heaven1 earth1 and sea for ,his protection1 blessing1 and prosperity6 ,i was greatly struck with the extensive fortifications1 and vast dockyards1 together with the wonderful machinery in this place2 such indications of national wealth1 and specimens of human genius and industry4 ,april #acth4--,this morning ,i arrived in ,london1 and was cordially received by the ,secretary of the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,society1 and kindly invited to take up my lodgings at the ,mission ,house4 ,april #adth--,sabbath4--,heard the ,rev4 ,g4 ,marsden preach4 ,in the afternoon this holy man addressed about four hundred ,sunday-school children1 after which ,i spoke a few words to them4 ,we then attended a prayer-meeting1 where many found peace with ,god4 ,in the evening ,i heard the ,rev4 ,theophilus ,lessey preach a superior sermon1 and ,i felt blessed4 ,april #afth4--,this evening ,i preached my first sermon in ,england1 in ,city ,road ,chapel1 from ,john iii4 #h4 ,this is called ,mr4 ,wesley's ,chapel1 having been built by him1 and left under peculiar regulations4 ,alongside is ,mr4 ,wesley's dwelling-house1 and in the rear of it rest his bones1 also those of ,rev4 ,dr4 ,adam ,clarke and ,rev4 ,richard ,watson2 three of the greatest men the world ever saw4 ,in the front of this chapel1 on the opposite side of the street1 are the celebrated ,bunhill ,field's burying ground1 among whose memorable dead rests the dust of the venerable ,isaac ,watts1 ,john ,wesley's mother1 ,john ,bunyan1 ,daniel ,defoe1 etc4 ,april #bast--,sunday4--,to-day ,i went to hear the celebrated ,edward ,irving4 ,his preaching1 for the most part1 ,i considered commonplace2 his manner1 eccentric2 his pretensions to revelations1 authority1 and prophetic indications1 overweening4 ,i was disappointed in his talents1 and surprised at the apparent want of feeling manifested throughout his whole discourse4 ,april #bjth4--,this morning ,i attended the funeral of the great and eminently pious ,rev4 ,rowland ,hill1 who died in the #hith year of his age4 ,lord ,hill1 his nephew1 was chief mourner4 ,there was a large attendance of ministers of all denominations1 and a great concourse of people4 ,rev4 ,wm4 ,jay1 of ,bath1 preached an admirable sermon from ,zech4 ii4 #b4 ,howl fir tree1 for the cedar hath fallen4 ,the venerable remains were interred beneath the pulpit4 ,april #bfth4--,to-day ,i heard ,rev4 ,richard ,winter ,hamilton1 of ,leeds1 an ,independent1 preach a missionary sermon for the ,wesleyan ,society4 ,his text was ,col4 i4 #af4 ,it was the most splendid sermon ,i ever heard4 ,april #bhth4--,heard the ,rev4 ,robert ,newton in the morning4 ,in the afternoon ,i preached a missionary sermon in ,westminster ,chapel1 and in the evening another at ,chelsea4 ,april #bith4--,this day was held the ,annual ,meeting of the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,society1 in ,exeter ,hall1 ,lord ,morpeth in the chair4 ,he is a young man1 serious and dignified in his manners4 ,the speeches generally were able and to the point4 ,collection was #bca4 ,may #ast4--,the ,annual ,meeting of the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society was held in ,exeter ,hall4 ,lord ,bexley presided4 ,the ,bishops of ,winchester and ,chester1 brothers1 addressed the meeting4 ,they are eloquent speakers1 but the ,hon4 and ,rev4 ,baptist ,noel was the speaker of the day4 ,may #crd4--,this morning ,i attended the ,annual ,breakfast ,meeting of the preachers' children1 at the ,city ,road ,morning ,chapel2 nearly #bjj preachers and their families were present4 ,rev4 ,joseph ,entwistle spoke1 as did ,mr4 ,james ,wood1 of ,bristol1 myself and one or two others4 ,may #eth41 ,exeter4--,left ,london at #e a4m4 and arrived here at #aj p4m41 within a minute of the time specified by the coachman4 ,we passed over the scene of that inimitable tract1 ,the ,shepherd of ,salisbury ,plain4 ,we were shown the tree under which the shepherd was sheltered4 ,may #fth4--,rev4 ,wm4 ,naylor preached this morning in ,exeter1 and ,i preached in the evening4 ,taunton1 ,may #gth4--,at a ,missionary ,tea ,meeting to-day1 deep interest was excited in the cause of the ,british ,north ,american ,missions4 ,taunton is a very ancient town4 ,it existed in the time of the ,romans4 ,it was in this town that ,king ,ina held the first ,legislative ,assembly or ,parliament ever held in ,britain4 ,it consisted of ecclesiastics and noblemen and enacted certain laws for the better government of the ,heptarchy4 ,it was near this town ,king ,alfred concealed himself1 and was discovered in the capacity of a cook4 ,here also stands the ,church of ,st4 ,mary1 a most splendid and ancient gothic building1 where that venerable and holy man of ,god1 ,joseph ,alleine1 author of the ,alarm to the ,unconverted1 preached4 ,in a letter to a friend in ,upper ,canada1 ,dr4 ,ryerson at this date writes3-- ,nottingham1 ,may #bith4--,i this morning called upon ,mrs4 ,watson1 mother of the late distinguished ,richard ,watson4 ,she is nearly eighty years of age1 and in rather humble circumstances4 ,she is in the possession of a naturally strong and unimpaired intellect1 and has apparently not the least vanity on account of the unrivalled talents1 high attainments1 and great popularity of her son4 ,in conversation she stated the following particulars3 ,that her husband was a saddler1 that he formerly lived and followed his business in ,boston-on-the-,humber in ,lincolnshire1 where ,richard was born2 that her husband was the only ,methodist in the town1 and was the means of introducing ,methodism into that town2 that his business was taken from him1 and he was obliged to leave and remove to another place on account of it2 that ,richard was very weakly1 and so poorly that she carried him when a child on a pillow in her arms2 that when he began to talk and run about he was unusually stupid and sleepy1 would drop asleep anywhere2 that he was very tall of his age1 and made such advancement in learning1 that he read the ,latin ,testament at five years of age1 and had read a considerable part of it before his parents knew that he had been put to the study of ,latin2 the clergyman1 his tutor1 thought him older1 from his size and mind1 or1 as he said1 he would not have put him to ,latin so young2 that ,richard had a very great taste for reading2 when he was a very small boy1 he read the ,history of ,england 7when not eight years of age71 and recollected and related with the utmost correctness all its leading facts2 that he would frequently remain at school after school hours1 doing difficult questions in arithmetic for older boys2 that he was bound out1 according to his request1 to the trade of a house-joiner2 that he was most diligent and faithful at his work1 and made such rapid advancement in learning the trade1 that at the end of two years1 his master told his father that he had already learned as much as he could teach him1 and that he was willing to give him up if he desired--the best hand in his shop2 that ,richard began to go out and exhort when he was fourteen years of age1 and that he preached when he was fifteen1 and was received on trial by the ,conference as a travelling preacher about a month after he was sixteen2 that he was frequently pelted with eggs1 and even trodden under foot2 that his own uncle on one occasion encouraged it1 saying1 ,my kinsman does it pretty well1 give him a few more eggs1 lad 7addressing one of the mob71 and that ,richard came home frequently with his clothes completely besmeared with eggs and dirt4 ,i attended the ,wesleyan ,missionary meeting here and spoke at it4 ,the meeting was highly interesting4 ,it was addressed by ,rev4 ,mr4 ,edwards1 7,baptist7 and by the ,messrs4 ,bunting1 ,atherton1 and ,bakewell4 ,in this town the noted ,kilham made his first ,methodist division1 and here suddenly ended his life4 ,here ,bramwell got the ground for a chapel in answer to prayer4 ,near the town runs the ,river ,trent4 ,from ,nottingham ,i went fourteen miles to ,mansfield and attended a missionary meeting4 ,i was in the house which was the birth-place of the great ,chesterfield1 and passed through ,mansfield forest1 the scene of ,robin ,hood's predatory exploits4 ,in his journal ,dr4 ,ryerson says3-- ,london1 ,june #bdth4--,i had an interview with ,rt4 ,hon4 ,edward ,ellice1 on ,canadian affairs2 a man of noble spirit1 liberal mind1 and benevolent heart4 ,he condemned ,dr4 ,strachan's measures1 and manifested an earnest1 desire to promote the welfare of ,upper ,canada4 ,i gave him an account of the political and religious affairs in ,upper ,canada with which he expressed himself pleased1 and gave me #ej for the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,june #afth4--,this day was dedicated1 by ,rev4 ,wm4 ,ryerson1 the new brick chapel on ,newgate 7,adelaide7 ,street1 ,toronto4 7,see subsequent chapter47 ,june #bdth4--,writing to-day to a valued friend in ,upper ,canada in regard to his mission in ,london1 ,dr4 ,ryerson told him that he had no doubt of its advantageous results in promoting harmony and peace4 ,he then said3-- ,i apprehend that ,mr4 ,stanley's appointment to the ,secretaryship of the ,colonies will not be very beneficial to us4 ,the reason of ,lord ,goderich and ,lord ,howick 7,earl ,grey's son7 retiring from that office was that they would not bring any other ,bill on slavery into ,parliament1 but one for its immediate and entire abolition4 ,i understand that ,lords ,goderich and ,howick are sadly annoyed at ,mr4 ,stanley's course4 ,it will only be for the friends of good government to pray for the re-appointment of ,lord ,goderich1 or insist upon a change in the ,colonial policy towards ,upper ,canada4 ,this part1 however1 belongs to political men4 ,but ,i am afraid it may have an unfavourable bearing upon our religious rights and interests4 ,in ,rev4 ,j4 ,richardson's letter to me1 he mentions that the petitions were sent in the care of ,mr4 ,joseph ,hume4 ,he is not the person to present a petition to ,his ,majesty on religious liberty in the ,colonies1 and especially after the part he has taken in opposing the ,bill for emancipating the slaves in the ,west ,indies4 ,it has incensed the religious part of the nation against him4 ,he is connected with the ,west ,india interest by his wife1 and his abandoning all his principles of liberty in such a heart-stirring question1 destroys confidence in the disinterestedness of his general conduct1 and his sincere regard for the great interests of religion4 ,i leave ,london this afternoon for ,ireland4 ,my return here depends upon whether ,i can do anything in this petition business4#ci ,it is difficult to get a moment for retirement1 excepting very early in the morning1 or after twelve at night4 ,it is not the way for me to live ,i had1 however1 a very profitable and good day yesterday4 ,i preached1 and superintended a love-feast in ,city ,road ,chapel last evening4 ,it was a very good one1 only the people were a little bashful in speaking at first1 like some of our ,york friends who are always so very timid1 such as ,dr4 ,morrison1 ,mr4 ,howard1 and others4 ,in his journal ,dr4 ,ryerson says3-- ,june #bfth4--,according to appointment1 ,i called upon the ,earl of ,ripon1 and was most kindly received4 ,i wished to enquire about the medal promised by ,his ,majesty1 ,william ,,iv41 to ,peter ,jones1 and to solicit a donation towards our ,academy at ,cobourg4 ,his ,lordship gave me #e4 ,he expressed his disapprobation of ,sir ,john ,colborne's reply to the ,methodist ,conference in #ahca1 7see page #ih74 ,he stated that he was anxious for the ,union between the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences1 and was gratified at the prospect of its success4#dj ,his ,lordship stated that1 while in the ,colonial ,department1 he had only received ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie as a private individual1 and had done no more than justice to him4 ,june #bhth4--,i called at the ,colonial office1 and laid before ,mr4 ,stanley statements and documents relative to the ,clergy ,reserve ,question4 ,mr4 ,stanley was very courteous1 but equally cautious4 ,i stated that the ,house of ,assembly of ,upper ,canada had nearly every year since #ahbe1 by very large majorities1 decided against the erection of any ,church ,establishment in that ,province1 and in favour of the appropriation of the ,clergy ,reserves to the purposes of ,general ,education2 that this might be taken to be the fair and deliberate sense of the people of ,upper ,canada2 that this question was distinct from any question or questions of political reform2 that parties and parliaments who differed on other questions of public policy1 agreed nearly unanimously in this4 ,he expressed his opinion that the ,colonial ,legislature had a right to legislate on it1 and asked me why our ,house of ,assembly had not done it4 ,i told him it had1 but the ,legislative ,council had rejected the ,bill passed by the ,assembly on the subject4 ,july #acth4--,in a letter at this date to a friend in ,upper ,canada1 ,dr4 ,ryerson further refers to this and a subsequent interview as follows3-- ,i have had two interviews with ,mr4 ,secretary ,stanley1 on the subject of the ,house of ,assembly's ,address on the ,clergy ,reserves1 and have drawn up a statement of the grounds on which the ,house of ,assembly and the great body of the people in ,upper ,canada resist the pretensions and claims of the ,episcopal clergy4 ,mr4 ,solicitor-,general ,hagerman has been directed to do the same on behalf of the ,episcopal clergy4 ,i confess that ,i was a little surprised to find that the ,colonial ,secretary was fully impressed at first that ,methodist preachers in ,canada were generally ,americans 7,yankees72--that the cause of the great prosperity of ,methodism there was the ample support it received from the ,united ,states2--that the missionaries in ,upper ,canada were actually under the ,united ,states ,conference1 and at its disposal4 ,the ,colonial ,secretary manifested a little surprise also1 when ,i turned to the ,journals of the ,upper ,canada ,house of ,assembly1 and produced proof of the reverse1 which he pronounced perfectly conclusive and satisfactory4 ,august #hth4--,dr4 ,ryerson received a touching note at this date from ,mrs4 ,marsden1 with explanation of her reluctance to let ,rev4 ,geo4 ,marsden1 her husband1 go to ,canada as ,president of the ,conference4 ,she says3-- ,at length my rebellious heart is subdued by reason and by grace4 ,i am made willing to give up my excellent husband to what is supposed to be a great work4 ,i am led to hope that1 as a new class of feelings are brought into exercise1 perhaps some new graces may be elicited in my own character1 as well as that of my dear husband2 at any rate it is a sacrifice to ,god1 which ,i trust will be accepted1 and1 both in a private and a public view1 be overruled for the glory of ,god4 ,i am sure1 notwithstanding some repeated attempts to reconcile me to this affair1 ,i must have appeared very unamiable to you2 but the fact was simply this1 ,i could not see you or converse with you1 without so much emotion as quite unnerved me1 therefore ,i studiously avoided you2 but did you know the happiness which dear ,mr4 ,marsden and ,i have enjoyed in each other's society for so many years1 you would not be surprised that ,i should be unwilling to give up so many months as will be required for this service2 but to ,god and ,his ,church ,i bow in submission4 ,this estimable lady did not long survive4 ,she died in six months--just after her husband had returned from ,america4 ,in a letter from ,rev4 ,e4 ,grindrod1 dated ,march1 #ahcd1 he says1 ,mrs4 ,marsden died1 after a short illness1 on #bbnd ,february4 ,she was one of the most amiable and pious of women4 ,her lite was a bright pattern of every ,christian virtue4 ,her end was delightfully triumphant4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following is an extract from ,dr4 ,ryerson's diary of this year3-- ,after many earnest prayers1 mature deliberation1 and the advice of an elder brother1 ,i have decided within the last few months to enter again into the married state4 ,the lady ,i have selected1 and who has consented to become my second wife1 is one whom ,i have every reason to believe possesses all the natural and ,christian excellencies of my late wife4 ,she is the eldest daughter of a pious and wealthy merchant1 ,mr4 ,james ,rogers ,armstrong4 ,for her my late wife also entertained a very particular esteem and affection1 and1 from her good sense1 sound judgment1 humble piety1 and affectionate disposition1 ,i doubt not but that she will make me a most interesting and valuable companion1 a judicious house-wife1 and an affectionate mother to my two children4 ,truly ,i love her with a pure heart fervently ,i receive her1 and hope ever to treat and value her as the special token of my ,heavenly ,father's kindness after a season of ,his chastisement4 ,if thou1 ,lord1 see fit to spare us1 may our union promote ,thy glory and the salvation of sinners6 ,dr4 ,ryerson's marriage with ,miss ,mary ,armstrong1 took place at ,toronto1 on the #hth of ,november #ahcc4 ,,footnotes3 #ch ,while in ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received the following note from ,rev4 ,dr4 ,j4 ,p4 ,durbin1 in which he said3 ,after ,i parted with you at my house1 ,i felt a strong inclination to engage your correspondence for our paper1 at least once a week1 if possible1 for the benefit of our people and country1 through the ,church4 ,can you not write us by every packet8 ,information in regard to ,english ,methodism will be particularly interesting1 especially their financial arrangements4 ,do inquire diligently of them1 and write us minutely for the good of our ,zion4--,h4 #ci ,in ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3--,when the writer of these ,essays was appointed a representative of the ,canadian ,conference to negotiate a union between the two ,conferences in #ahcc1 he carried a ,petition to the ,king1 signed by upwards of #bj1jjj inhabitants1 against the ,clergy ,reserve ,monopoly and the ,establishment of a ,dominant ,church in ,upper ,canada4 ,this petition was presented through ,lord ,stanley1 the ,colonial ,secretary4 ,page #bba4--;,h4 #dj ,dr4 ,ryerson has left no record in his ,story of the negotiations for this ,union4 ,his report1 however1 on the subject will be found on pages #aic1 #aid1 ,vol4 iv4 of the ,guardian for ,october #afth1 #ahcc1 from which ,i take the following extracts3 ,on the #eth ,june1 ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,bunting1 ,beecham1 ,alder1 and myself1 examined the whole question in detail1 and prepared an outline of the resolutions to be submitted to the ,british ,conference1 and recommended that a grant of #a1jjj be appropriated the first year to the promotion of ,canadian ,missions4 ,on the #bnd ,august these resolutions were introduced by ,rev4 ,john ,beecham 7,missionary ,secretary74 ,they were supported by ,rev4 ,jabez ,bunting1 ,rev4 ,jas4 ,wood 7now in his #hcrd year71 and ,rev4 ,robert ,newton4 ,a ,committee was appointed to consider and report on the whole matter consisting of the ,president1 ,secretary1 and seven ex-,presidents1 the ,irish representatives 7,messrs4 ,waugh1 ,stewart1 and ,doolittle71 and fifteen other ministers4 ,this ,committee considered and reported these resolutions1 which were adopted and forms the basis of the ,articles of ,union4 ,hereafter1 the name of our ,church will be changed from ,the ,methodist ,episcopal ,church in ,canada1 to ,the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,british ,north ,america4--,h4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 #ahcc-ahcd4 ,impressions of ,england and their ,effects4 ,on my return to ,canada1 after having negotiated the ,union of #ahcc with the ,english ,conference1 accompanied by ,rev4 ,george ,marsden1 as first ,president of the ,canadian ,conference1 ,i was re-elected editor of the ,christian ,guardian1 and continued as such until #ahce1 when ,i refused re-election1 and was appointed to ,kingston2 but in ,november of the same year1 the ,president of the ,conference appointed from ,england 7,rev4 ,william ,lord7 insisted upon my going to ,england to arrange pecuniary difficulties1 which had arisen between him and the ,london ,wesleyan ,missionary ,committee4 ,except the foregoing paragraph1 ,dr4 ,ryerson has left no particulars of the events which transpired in his history from the period of his return to ,canada in ,september1 #ahcc1 until some time in #ahce4 ,i have1 therefore1 selected what follows in this chapter1 from his letters and papers1 to illustrate this busy and eventful portion of his active life4 ,the principal circumstance which occurred at this time was the publication of his somewhat famous ,impressions of public men and parties in ,england4 ,this event marked an important epoch in his life1 if not in the history of the country4 ,the publication of these ,impressions during this year created quite a sensation4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was immediately assailed with a storm of invective by the chief leaders of the ultra section of politicians with whom he had generally acted4 ,by the more moderate section and by the public generally he was hailed as the champion1 if not the deliverer1 of those who were really alarmed at the rapid strides towards disloyalty and revolution1 to which these extreme men were impelling the people4 ,this feature of the unlooked for and bitter controversy1 which followed the publication of these impressions1 will be developed further on4 ,october #b;d1 #ahcc4--,on this day the ,upper ,canada ,conference ratified the articles of union between it and the ,british ,conference1 which were agreed upon at the ,manchester ,conference on the #gth of ,august4 7,see note on page #aai47da ,at the ,conference held this year in ,york 7,toronto71 ,dr4 ,ryerson was again elected editor of the ,guardian4 ,he entered on the duties of that office on the #afth ,october4 ,october #cjth4--,in reply to the many questions put to ,dr4 ,ryerson on his return to ,canada1 such as3 ,what do you think of ,england8 ,what is your opinion of her public men1 her institutions8 etc41 etc41 he published in the ,guardian of this day the first part of ,impressions made by my late visit to ,england1 in regard to public men1 religious bodies1 and the general state of the nation4 ,he said3-- ,there are three great political parties in ,england--,tories1 ,whigs1 and ,radicals1 and two descriptions of characters constituting each party4 ,of the first1 there is the moderate and the ultra tory4 ,an ,english ultra tory is what we believe has usually been meant and understood in ,canada by the unqualified term tory2 that is1 a lordling in power1 a tyrant in politics1 and a bigot in religion4 ,this description of partizans1 we believe1 is headed by the ,duke of ,cumberland1 and is followed not afar off by that powerful party1 which presents such a formidable array of numbers1 rank1 wealth1 talent1 science1 and literature1 headed by the hero of ,waterloo4 ,this shade of the tory party appears to be headed in the ,house of ,commons by ,sir ,robert ,inglis1 member for the ,oxford ,university1 and is supported1 on most questions1 by that most subtle and ingenious politician and fascinating speaker1 ,sir ,robert ,peel1 with his numerous train of followers and admirers4 ,among those who support the distinguishing measures of this party are men of the highest ,christian virtue and piety2 and1 our decided impression is1 that it embraces the major part of the talent1 and wealth1 and learning of the ,british ,nation4 ,the acknowledged and leading organs of this party are ,blackwood's ,magazine and the ,london ,quarterly ,review4 ,the other branch of this great political party is what is called the moderate tory4 ,in political theory he agrees with his high-toned neighbour2 but he acts from religious principle1 and this governs his private as well as his public life4 ,to this class belongs a considerable portion of the ,evangelical ,clergy1 and1 we think1 a majority of the ,wesleyan ,methodists4 ,it evidently includes the great body of the piety1 ,christian enterprise1 and sterling virtue of the nation4 ,it is1 in time of party excitement1 alike hated and denounced by the ultra ,tory1 the crabbed ,whig1 and the ,radical leveller4 ,such was our impression of the true character of what1 by the periodical press in ,england1 is termed a moderate ,tory4 ,from his theories we in some respects dissent2 but his integrity1 his honesty1 his consistency1 his genuine liberality1 and religious beneficence1 claim respect and imitation4 ,the second great political and now ruling party in ,england are the ,whigs--a term synonymous with whey1 applied1 it is said1 to this political school1 from the sour and peevish temper manifested by its first disciples--though it is now rather popular than otherwise in ,england4 ,the ,whig appears to differ in theory from the ,tory in this1 that he interprets the constitution1 obedience to it1 and all measures in regard to its administration1 upon the principles of expediency2 and is1 therefore1 always pliant in his professions1 and is even ready to suit his measures to the times2 an indefinite term1 that also designates the most extensively circulated daily paper in ,england1 or in the world1 which is the leading organ of the ,whig party1 backed by the formidable power and lofty periods of the ,edinburgh ,review4 ,the leaders of this party in the ,house of ,lords are ,earl ,grey and the ,lord ,chancellor ,brougham2 at the head of the list in the ,house of ,commons stands the names of ,mr4 ,stanley1 ,lord ,althorp1 ,lord ,john ,russell1 and ,mr4 ,t4 ,b4 ,macaulay4 ,in this class are also included many of the most learned and popular ministers of ,dissenting congregations4 ,the third political sect is called ,radicals1 apparently headed by ,messrs4 ,joseph ,hume and ,thomas ,attwood2 the former of whom1 though acute1 indefatigable1 persevering1 popular on financial questions1 and always to the point1 and heard with respect and attention in the ,house of ,commons1 has no influence as a religious man2 has never been known to promote any religious measure or object as such1 and has opposed every measure for the better observance of the ,sabbath1 and even introduced a motion to defeat the bill for the abolition of colonial slavery2 and ,mr4 ,attwood1 the head of the celebrated ,birmingham political ,union1 is a conceited1 boisterous1 hollow-headed declaimer4 ,radicalism in ,england appeared to me to be but another word for ,republicanism1 with the name of ,king instead of ,president4 ,the notorious infidel character of the majority of the political leaders and periodical publications of their party1 deterred the virtuous part of the nation from associating with them1 though some of the brightest ornaments of the ,english pulpit and nation have leaned to their leading doctrines in theory4 ,it is not a little remarkable that that very description of the public press1 which in ,england advocates the lowest radicalism1 is the foremost in opposing and slandering the ,methodists in this ,province4 ,hence the fact that some of these editors have been amongst the lowest of the ,english radicals previous to their egress from the mother country4 ,upon the whole1 our impressions of the religious and moral character1 and influence1 of the several political parties into which the ,british nation is unhappily divided1 were materially different in some respects1 from personal observation1 from what they had been by hear-say and reading4 ,on the very evening of the day in which the foregoing appeared1 ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie 7in the ,colonial ,advocate of ,oct4 #cjth71 denounced the writer of these ,impressions in no measured terms4 ,his denunciation proved that he clearly perceived what would be the effect on the public mind of ,dr4 ,ryerson's candid and outspoken criticisms on men and things in ,england--especially his adverse opinion of the ,english idols of 7what subsequently proved to be7 the disloyal section of the public men of the day in ,upper ,canada and their followers4 ,mr4 ,mackenzie's vehement attack upon the writer of these ,impressions had its effect at the time4 ,in some minds a belief in the truth of that attack lingered long afterwards--but not in the minds of those who could distinguish between honest conviction1 based upon actual knowledge1 and pre-conceived opinions1 based upon hearsay and a superficial acquaintance with men and things4 ,as the troubled period of #ahcg approached1 hundreds had reason to be thankful to ,dr4 ,ryerson that the publication of his ,impressions had1 without design on his part1 led to the disruption of a party which was being hurried to the brink of a precipice1 over which so many well meaning1 but misguided1 men fell in the winter of #ahcg1 never to rise again4 ,it was a proud boast of ,dr4 ,ryerson 7as he states in the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 page #che71 that in these disastrous times not a single member of the ,methodist ,church was implicated in the disloyal rebellion of #ahcg-h4 ,he attributed this gratifying state of things to the fact that he had uttered the notes of warning in sufficient time to enable the readers of the ,guardian to pause and think2 and that1 with a just appreciation of their danger1 members of the ,society had separated themselves from all connection with projects and opinions which logically would have placed them in a position of defiant hostility to the ,queen and constitution4 ,but1 to return4 ,the outburst of ,mr4 ,mackenzie's wrath1 which immediately followed 7on the evening of the same day7 the publication of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,impressions1 was as follows3-- ,the ,christian ,guardian1 under the management of ,egerton ,ryerson1 has gone over to the enemy1--press1 types1 and all1--and hoisted the colours of a cruel1 vindictive1 ,tory priesthood4444 ,the contents of the ,guardian of to-night tells us in language too plain1 too intelligible to be misunderstood1 that a deadly blow has been struck in ,england at the liberties of the people of ,upper ,canada1 by as subtle and ungrateful an adversary1 in the guise of an old and familiar friend1 as ever crossed the ,atlantic4 ,in his ,almanac1 issued on the same day1 ,mr4 ,mackenzie also used similar language4 ,he said3-- ,the arch-apostate ,egerton1 alias ,arnold1 ,ryerson1 and the ,christian ,guardian goes over to ,strachan and the ,tories4 ,nov4 #fth4--,in the ,guardian of this day ,dr4 ,ryerson inserted an extended reply to ,mr4 ,mackenzie1 and1 in calm and dignified language1 gave the reasons which induced him to publish his ,impressions4 ,he said3-- ,we did so1--#ast1 ,as a subject of useful information2 #bnd1 ,to correct an erroneous impression that had been industriously created1 that we were identified in our feelings and purposes with some one political party2 #crd1 ,to furnish an instructive moral to the ,christian reader1 not to be a passive or active tool1 or the blind1 thorough-going follower of any political party as such4 ,we considered this called for at the present time on both religious and patriotic grounds4 ,we designed this expression of our sentiments1 and this means of removing groundless prejudice and hostility in the least objectionable and offensive way1 and without coming in contact with any political party in ,canada1 or giving offence to any1 except those who had shown an inveterate and unprincipled hostility to ,methodism4 ,we therefore associated the ,canadian ultra tory with the ,english radical1 because we were convinced of their identity in moral essence1 and that the only essential difference between them is1 that the one is top and the other bottom4 ,we therefore said1 that very description of the public press which in ,england advocates the lowest radicalism1 is the foremost in opposing and slandering the ,methodists in this ,province4 ,that our ,christian brethren throughout the ,province1 and every sincere friend to ,methodism1 do not wish us to be an organized political party1 we are fully assured--that it is inconsistent with our profession and duty to become such4 ,out of scores of expressions to the same effect we might quote quite abundantly from the ,guardian1 but our readers are aware of them4 ,that the decided part we have felt it our duty to take in obtaining and securing our rights in regard of the ,clergy ,reserve ,question1 has had a remote or indirect tendency to promote ,mr4 ,mackenzie's political measures1 we readily admit2 but that we have ever supported a measure1 or given publicity to any documents from ,mr4 ,mackenzie1 or any other political man in ,canada1 on any other grounds than this1 we totally deny4 ,mr4 ,mackenzie's attack rests on four grounds3 #a4 ,that our language was so explicit as to remove every doubt and hope of our encouraging a thick and thin partizanship with him1 or any man or set of men in ,canada2 or1 #b4 ,that we did not speak in opprobrious1 but rather favourable terms1 of ,his ,excellency the ,lieutenant-,governor2 or1 #c4 ,that we expressed our approbation of the principles and colonial policy of ,lord ,goderich 7now ,earl ,ripon71 and those who agree with him2 or #d4 ,that we alluded to ,mr4 ,hume in terms not sufficiently complimentary4 ,if ,mr4 ,mackenzie's wishes are crossed and his wrath inflamed1 because we have not entered our protest against ,his ,excellency the ,lieutenant-,governor1 we could not do so after we had learned the views of ,his ,majesty's ,government1 in a reply of ,his ,excellency to an address of our ,conference about two years ago1#db when every unfavourable impression had been removed1 and when good-will was expressed towards the ,methodists as a people2 we have not so learned to forgive injuries--we have not so learned to honour and obey magistrates1--we have not so learned our duty as a minister1 and as a ,christian4 ,we1 as a religious body1 and as the organ of a religious body1 have only to do with ,sir ,john ,colborne's administration1 as far as it concerns our character and rights as ,british subjects2 ,his ,excellency's measures and administration in merely secular matters lie within the peculiar province of the political journalists and politicians of the day4 ,if our offering a tribute of grateful respect to ,lord ,goderich1 who had declared in his despatches to ,canada his earnest desire to remove every bishop and priest from our ,legislature1 to secure the right of petitioning the ,king to the meanest subject in the realm1 to extend the blessings of full religious liberty and the advantages of education to every class of ,british subjects in ,canada1 without distinction or partiality1 and in every way to advance the interests of the ,province2--if honouring such men and such principles be hoisting the colours 7as ,mr4 ,mackenzie says71 of a cruel1 vindictive1 ,tory priesthood1 then has ,mr4 ,mackenzie the merit of a new discovery of vindictive cruelty1 and with his own definition of liberty1 and his own example of liberality1 will he adopt his own honourable means to attain it1 and breathe out death and destruction against all who do not incorporate themselves into a strait-jacket battalion under his political sword1 and vow allegiance and responsibility to everything done by his press1 types1 and all8 ,mr4 ,mackenzie did not reply to ,dr4 ,ryerson in the spirit of his rejoinder4 ,he was a master of personal invective1 and he indulged in it in this instance1 rather than discuss the questions raised on their merits4 ,he1 therefore1 turned on ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and1 over his shoulders1 struck a blow at his venerable ,father and his eldest ,brother4 ,he said3-- ,the ,father of the ,editor of the ,guardian lifted his sword against the throats of his own countrymen struggling for freedom from established churches1 stamp acts1 military domination1 ,scotch governors1 and ,irish government2 and his brother ,george figured on the frontier in the war of #ahab1 and got wounded and pensioned for fighting to preserve crown and clergy reserves1 and all the other strongholds of corruption1 in the hands of the locusts who infest and disturb this ,province4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's simple rejoinder to this attack on his ,father and ,brother was as follows3-- ,the man who could hold up the brave defenders of our homes and firesides to the scorn and contempt of their countrymen1 must be lost to all patriotic and loyal feelings of humanity for those who took their lives in their hands in perilous times4 ,nov4 #adth4--,as to the effect of the impressions upon the country generally1 the following letter from ,hallowell 7,picton7 written to ,dr4 ,ryerson by his brother ,john1 may be safely taken as an example of the feeling which they at first evoked4 ,it is characterized by strong and vigorous language1 indicative of the state of public opinion at the time4 ,it is valuable from the fact that while it is outspoken in its criticism of ,dr4 ,ryerson's views1 it touches upon the point to which ,i have already referred1 viz3 the separation into two sections of the powerful party which was then noted as the champion of popular rights4 ,mr4 ,ryerson says3-- ,your article on the ,political ,parties of ,england has created much excitement throughout these parts4 ,the only good that can result from it is1 the breaking up of the union which has hitherto existed between us and the radicals4 ,were it not for this1 ,i should much regret its appearance4 ,but we had got so closely linked with those extreme men1 in one way or another1 that we cannot expect to get rid of them without feeling the shock1 and1 perhaps1 it may as well come now as anytime4 ,it is our duty and interest to support the ,government4 ,although there may be some abuses which have crept in1 yet1 ,i believe that we enjoy as many political and religious advantages as any people4 ,our public affairs are as well managed as in any other country4 ,as it respects the ,reformers1 so called1 take ,baldwin1 ,bidwell1 ,rolph1 and such men from their ranks1 and there is scarcely one man of character or honour among them4 ,i am sorry to say it1 but it is so4 ,the best way for the present is for us to have nothing to say about politics1 but treat the ,government with respect4 ,radcliffe1 of the ,cobourg ,reformer1 and ,dr4 ,barker1 of the ,kingston ,whig1 have come out in their true character4 ,radcliffe is preparing a heavy charge against you4 ,but let them come2 fear them not6 ,i hope they will show themselves now4 ,i thought that you1 in your reply to ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 did not speak in a sufficiently decided manner4 ,you say you have not changed your views2 but ,i hope you have in some respects4 ,although you never were a ,radical1 yet have not we all leaned too much towards them1 and will we not now smart for it a little8 ,but1 the sooner it comes on1 the sooner it will be over4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson then gives the first intimation of the existence of that germ of hostility to the recently consummated ,union on the part of the ,british ,wesleyan ,missionaries in this country--a hostility which became at length so deep and widespread as to destroy the ,union itself--a union which was not fully restored until #ahdg4 ,mr4 ,ryerson points out the political animus of the movement1 and proceeds3-- ,you see that the ,missionaries are making great efforts to have ,kingston and ,york made exceptions to the general arrangements4 ,should the ,english ,committee listen to them1 confidence will be entirely destroyed4 ,their object is to make the ,british ,conference believe that we have supported ,radical politics to an unlimited extent1 and that1 therefore1 the people will not submit to the ,union with such people2 they 7the ,missionaries7 are1 however1 the authors of the whole trouble4 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,hetherington told me that they were getting the back numbers of the ,guardian to prove that we had been political intimidators6 ,they say that ,mr4 ,marsden1 the ,president1 told the members at ,kingston that it they could make it appear that we had done this1 they should be exempted from the ,union1 and be supplied with ,missionaries from home4 ,in a subsequent letter from ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 he discusses his brother's ,impressions of ,public ,men in ,england1 and utters a word of warning to the ,methodist people who have allied themselves too closely with the disloyal party4 ,he says3 ,what will be the result of your remarks in the ,guardian on ,political ,parties in ,england1 ,i cannot say4 ,they will occasion much speculation1 some jealousy1 and bad feeling4 ,i have sometimes thought you had better not have written them1 particularly at this time1 yet ,i have long been of the opinion 7both with regard to measures and men7 that we leaned too much towards ,radicalism1 and that it would be absolutely necessary to disengage ourselves from them entirely4 ,you can see plainly that it is not ,reform1 but ,revolution they are after4 ,we should fare sumptuously1 should we not1 with ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 of ,toronto1 and ,radcliffe1 of ,cobourg1 for our rulers6 ,i have also felt very unpleasant in noticing the endeavours of these men 7aided by some of our members7 to introduce their republican leaven into our ,ecclesiastical polity4 ,is it not a little remarkable that not one of our members1 who have entered into their politics1 but has become a furious leveller in matters of ,church ,government1 and these very men are the most regardless of our reputation1 and the most ready to impugn our motives1 and defame our character1 when we1 in any way1 cross their path4 ,there are some things in your remarks ,i don't like2 but1 on the whole1 ,i am glad of their appearance1 and ,i hope1 whenever you have occasion to speak of the ,government1 you will do it in terms of respect4 ,i am anxious that we should obtain the confidence of the ,government1 and entirely disconnect ourselves from that tribe of levellers1 with whom we have been too intimate1 and who are1 at any time1 ready to turn around and sell us when we fail to please them4 ,nov4 #bjth4--,in another letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from his brother ,john1 at this date1 he says3-- ,i deeply feel for you in the present state of agitation and trial4 ,my own heart aches and sickens within me at times2 ,i have no doubt1 however much of a philosopher you may be1 that you at times participate in the same feelings2 but1 pursuing a conscientious course1 ,i hope you will at times be able to say3 ,courage1 my soul6 thou need'st not fear1 ,thy great ,provider still is near4 ,the following sympathetic letter from ,dr4 ,ryerson's friend1 ,mr4 ,e4 ,c4 ,griffin1 of ,waterdown1 written at the same time1 gives another proof of the unreasoning prejudice of those whose knowledge of the outer world was circumscribed and superficial4 ,in ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson saw things as they were4 ,he was1 therefore1 not prepared for the burst of wrath that followed the plain recital of his impressions of men and things in ,england4 ,mr4 ,griffin writes3-- ,the respect ,i have for you and yours should at all times deter me from bearing evil tidings1 yet the same consideration would make it a duty under peculiar circumstances4 ,you have already learned that the public mind has been much agitated in consequence of your remarks in the ,guardian on ,mr4 ,joseph ,hume1 ,m4,p41 and ,mr4 ,thomas ,attwood1 ,m4,p4 7see page #abc74 ,on this ,circuit it is truly alarming--some of our most respectable ,methodists are threatening to leave the ,church4 ,the general impression has obtained 7however unjustly7 that you have turned downright ,tory1 which1 in this country1 whether moderate or ultra1 seems to have but one meaning among the bulk of ,reformers1 and that is1 as being an enemy to all reform and the correction of acknowledged abuses4 ,this general impression among the people has created a feverish discontent among the ,methodists4 ,the excitement is so high that your subsequent explanation has seemed to be without its desired effect4 ,i should be glad if you would state distinctly in the ,guardian what you meant in your correspondence with the ,colonial ,secretary1 when you said you had no desire to interfere with the present emoluments of the ,church clergy 7or words to that effect72 and also of the term equal protection to the different denominations4 ,you are1 doubtless1 aware of the use made of these expressions by some of the journals1 and1 ,i am sorry to say1 with too much effect4 ,these remarks1 taken in connection with those against ,mr4 ,hume1 is the pivot on which everything is turned against you1 against the ,guardian1 and against the ,methodists4 ,a few days later ,dr4 ,ryerson received another letter from ,mr4 ,griffin1 in which he truthfully says3-- ,perhaps there have not been many instances in which sophistry has been applied more effectually to injure an individual1 or a body of ,christians1 as in the present instance4 ,whigs1 tories1 and radicals have all united to crush1 ,i may say at a blow1 the ,methodists1 and none have tried to do so more effectually than ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie4 ,he persisted in it so as to make his friends generally believe that the cause of reform was ruined by you4 ,his abuse of you and your friends1 and the ,methodists1 is more than ,i can stand4 ,he has certainly manifested a great want of discernment1 or he has acted from design4 ,i see that the ,hamilton ,free ,press has called in the aid of ,mr4 ,f4 ,collins1 of the ,canadian ,freeman1 to assist in abusing you and your whole family4 ,from ,augusta1 ,rev4 ,anson ,green wrote about the same time1 and in a similar strain1 but not so sympathetically4 ,he says3-- ,i fear your impressions are bad ones4 ,our people are all in an uproar about them4 ,nov4 #bbnd4--,rev4 ,william ,ryerson writing from ,kingston at this time1 reports the state of feeling there4 ,he says3-- ,as to the ,guardian1 ,i am sorry to inform you that it is becoming less popular than formerly4 ,if your ,english impressions are not more acceptable and useful in other parts than they are here1 it will add little to your credit1 or to the usefulness of your paper to publish any more of them4 ,i know that you have been shamefully abused1 and treated in a most base manner1 and by no one so much so as by ,mr4 ,radcliffe of the ,cobourg ,reformer4 ,i hope you will expose the statements and figures of the ,reformer to our friends4 ,it is rather unfortunate that if you did intend1 as is said1 to conciliate the ,tory party in this country1 you should have expressed yourself in such a way as to be so much misunderstood4 ,nov4 #bcrd4--,rev4 ,alvah ,a4 ,adams1 writing from ,prescott1 says3-- ,there are a few disturbances in our ,zion4 ,some are bent on making mischief4 ,you need not be surprised that the ,grenville ,gazette speaks so contemptuously of you and the cause in which you have been1 and are still1 engaged4 ,there are reasons why you need not marvel at the great torrent of scurrilous invectives with which his useless columns have of late abounded4 ,nov4 #bcrd4--,although not so intended by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 yet the publication of his impressions1 had the effect of developing the plans of ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 and those who acted with him1 much more rapidly and fully than they could have anticipated4 ,in the second supplement to his ,colonial ,advocate1 published ,november #bcrd1 ,mr4 ,mackenzie used this unmistakeable language3-- ,the local authorities have no means to protect themselves against an injured people1 if they persist in their unconstitutional career4444 ,there are not military enough to uphold a bad government for an hour1 if the ,rubicon has been passed2 and well does ,sir ,john ,colborne know that although he may hire regiments of priests here1 he may expect no more red-coats from ,europe in those days of economy4444 ,he also knows that if we are to take examples from the ,mother ,country1 the arbitrary proceedings of the officers of his government are such as would warrant the people to an open and armed resistance4 ,dec4 #fth4--,dr4 ,ryerson having received a protest from five of his ministerial brethren in the ,niagara ,district1#dc against his impressions he wrote a remonstrance to each of them1 but this did not appease them4 ,rev4 ,david ,wright said3-- ,as an individual ,i am not at all satisfied either with the course you have taken or the explanation given4 ,could you witness the confused state of our ,church on ,stamford ,circuit2 the insults we receive1 both from many of our members and others of good standing1 you would at once see the propriety of the steps we have taken for our defence4 ,hardly a tea-party or meeting of any kind1 but the ,guardian is the topic of conversation1 and the conversion of its editor and all the preachers to ,toryism4 ,the ,ranters and the ,ryanites are very busy1 and are doing us much harm4 ,i am more and more convinced of the imprudence of the course you have taken1 especially at this trying time in our ,church4 ,in ,queenston1 ,drummondville1 ,chippewa1 ,erie1 ,st4 ,davids1 the ,lane1 and ,lyons' ,creek the preachers are hooted at as they ride by4 ,this is rather trying4 ,i assure you4 ,rev4 ,james ,evans said3-- ,you request me not to solicit any to continue the ,guardian who are dissatisfied1 and who wish to discontinue4 ,this is worse than all beside4 ,and do you suppose that1 in opposition to the wish of the ,conference1 and interest of the ,church1 ,i shall pay attention to your request8 ,no1 my brother1 ,i cannot2 ,i will not4 ,it shall be my endeavour to obtain and continue subscribers by allaying as far as practicable1 their fears1 rather than by telling them that they may discontinue and you will abide the consequences4 ,i am astonished6 ,i can only account for your strange and1 ,i am sure1 un-,ryersonian conduct and advice on one principle--that there is something ahead which you1 through your superior political spyglass1 have discovered and thus shape your course1 while we land-lubbers1 short-sighted as we are1 have not even heard of it4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 therefore1 challenged these five ministers to proceed against him as provided by the ,discipline of the ,church4 ,in his reply to them1 he lays down some important principles in regard to the rights of an editor1 and the duty of his ministerial accusers4 ,he said3-- ,i beg to say that ,i cannot publish the criminating declaration of which you speak4 ,you will therefore act your pleasure in publishing it elsewhere4 ,the charges against me are either true or false4 ,if they are true1 are you proceeding in the disciplinary way against me8 ,though ,i am editor for the ,conference1 yet ,i have individual rights as well as you2 and the increased responsibility of my situation should1 under those rights1 if possible1 be still more sacred4 ,and if our ,conference will place a watchman upon the wall of our ,zion1 and then allow its members to plunge their swords into him whenever they think he has departed from his duty1 without even giving him a court-martial trial1 then they are a different description of men from what ,i think they are4 ,if1 as you say1 ,i have been guilty of imprudent conduct1 or even misrepresented my brethren1 make your complaint to my ,presiding ,elder1 according to discipline1 and then may the decision of the ,committee be published in the ,guardian1 or anywhere else that they may say4 ,so much for the disciplinary course4 ,again1 if the clamour1 as you call it1 against the ,guardian be well founded1 are you helping the ,guardian by corroborating the statement of that clamour8 ,can ,brother ,james ,evans consistently or conscientiously ask an individual to take1 or continue to take the ,guardian1 when he or you publish to the world the belief that its principles are changed8 ,will this quiet the clamour8 ,will this reconcile the members8 ,will this unite the preachers8 ,will this promote the harmony of the ,church8 ,will it not be a fire-brand rather than the seeds of commotion8 ,one or two others here got a meeting of the male members of the ,york ,society1 and proposed resolutions similar in substance to yours1 which were opposed and reprobated by brother ,richardson1 on the very disciplinary and prudential ground of which ,i speak1 and rejected by the ,society4 ,in your declaration you say 7not on account of clamour1 or accusations of editors or others1 but on account of editorial remarks in the ,guardian71 you express your sentiments to save your character from aspersion4 ,in this you imply that the editor of the ,guardian has misrepresented your sentiments1 and aspersed your character2 and1 if so1 has he not changed his principles8 ,and1 if he has changed his principles1 is he not guilty of falsehood1 since he has positively declared to the reverse8 ,you therefore virtually charge him with inconsistency1 misrepresentation1 and deliberate falsehood4 ,is this the fruit of brotherly love8 ,again1 you say that our political sentiments are the same as before the visit of the editor of the ,guardian to ,england4 ,is not this equal to asserting that the editor's sentiments are not the same8 ,you therefore say that you love me2 that you desire the peace of the ,church1 and the interests of the ,guardian1 yet you propose a course which will confirm the slanders of my enemies--to implicate me with inconsistency and falsehood--to injure the ,guardian1 and deprive yourselves of the power1 as men of honour and truth1 to recommend it--to kindle and sanction dissatisfaction among our ,church members--to arm preacher against preacher--and to criminate a brother before the public1 without a disciplinary trial4 ,you say our friends are looking out for it4 ,is this the way1 my brother1 that you have quieted their minds1 by telling them that you also were going to criminate the editor8 ,if this be so1 ,i am not surprised that there is dissatisfaction on your circuit4 ,brother ,evans said that nothing but a denial of having changed my opinions1 and an explicit statement of them1 would satisfy our friends4 ,i did so1 and did so plainly and conscientiously4 ,yet you do not even allude to this expression of my sentiments1 but still insist upon doing what is far more than taking my life--stabbing my principles and integrity4 ,i ask if this is my reward for endangering my life and enduring unparalleled labours1 to save the ,societies heretofore from being rent to the very centre1 and enduring ceaseless storms of slander and persecution for years past in defending the abused character of my brethren8 ,are they the first to lift up their heel against me8 ,will they join in the hue and cry against me1 rather than endure a hoot1 when ,i am unjustly treated and basely slandered8 ,i hope ,i have not fallen into such hands4 ,dr4 ,ryerson received at this time a candid and kindly characteristic letter from his youngest brother1 ,edwy1 at ,stamford1 which indicated that a reaction was taking place in regard to the much discussed impressions4 ,he says3-- ,the present agitated state of the ,societies1 partly from the ,union1 and1 in a greater degree1 from your impressions 7which would have been a blessing to our ,societies1 had they never been published7 make it very unpleasant to ask even for subscriptions to the ,guardian4 ,we are here in a state of commotion2 politics run high1 and religion low4 ,the ,guardian has turned ,tory1 is the hue and cry1 and many appear to be under greater concern about it1 than they ever were about the salvation of their souls4 ,many again1 have got wonderfully wise1 and pretend to reveal 7as a friend1 but in reality as an enemy7 the secrets of your policy4 ,under these unpleasant circumstances1 the ,ranters have availed themselves of the opportunity of planting themselves at nearly all our posts1 and sowing tares in our ,societies4 ,you have received a protest1 signed by several preachers1 and my name among them4 ,those were my impressions at the time4 ,therefore ,i thought it my duty1 in connection with my brethren1 to make my protest4 ,i have1 however 7since seeing the ,guardian71 been led to believe you had not changed from what you were4 ,many of the preachers are rejoiced that you were put in the editorial chair1 and feel strongly disposed to exert their influence that you may not be displaced4 ,dec4 #bnd4--,on this day ,dr4 ,ryerson received a kind word of encouragement from ,mr4 ,alex4 ,davidson1 a literary friend in ,port ,hope1 afterwards of ,niagara4 ,he said3-- ,i have had an opportunity of seeing most of the provincial papers4 ,they exhibit a miserable picture of the state of the press4 ,the conduct of the editors ought1 ,i think1 to be exposed4 ,i have been afraid that from such unmerited abuse1 you would quit the ,guardian in disgust1 and ,i am glad to see that1 though your mind may be as sensitive as that of any other person1 you remain firm4 ,another indication of the reaction in regard to the impressions is mentioned in a note received from ,rev4 ,ephraim ,evans1 ,trafalgar4 ,he says3-- ,mr4 ,thos4 ,cartwright1 of ,streetsville1 who had given up the ,guardian1 has ordered it to be sent to him again so that he may not seem to countenance the clamour that has been raised against you4 ,mr4 ,evans adds3 ,i am happy to find that the agitation produced by the unwarrantable conduct of the press generally1 is rapidly subsiding2 and1 ,i trust1 nay1 am certain1 that the late avowal of your sentiments1 will be perfectly satisfactory to every sensible and ingenuous mind4 ,i am1 upon the whole1 led to believe that ,methodism will weather out this storm also1 and lose not a spar4 ,dec4 #fth4--,among the many letters of sympathy received by ,dr4 ,ryerson at this time1 was one from his ,father1 in which he says3-- ,i perceive by the papers that you have met with tempestuous weather4 ,i devoutly hope that the ,great ,pilot will conduct you safely through the rocks and quicksands on either side4 ,jan4 #fth1 #ahcd4--;,in a letter from ,rev4 ,anson ,green1 at ,augusta1 it was apparent that the tide of popular opinion against ,dr4 ,ryerson had turned4 ,he said3-- ,i have been very much pleased indeed with the ,guardian during the last few months4 ,there is a very great improvement in it4 ,in this opinion ,i am not alone4 ,your remarks on the ,clergy ,reserve question were very timely and highly satisfactory4 ,a number of our brethren have wished me to express to you the pleasure they feel in the course which you have pursued as editor4 ,there has been very great prejudice against you in these parts1 among preachers and people1 but ,i think they are dying out and will1 ,i trust1 shortly entirely disappear4 ,i hope we shall soon see eye to eye4 ,march #eth4--,in the ,guardian of this day1 ,dr4 ,ryerson intimated that3-- ,among many schemes resorted to by the abbettors of ,mr4 ,mackenzie to injure me1 was the circulation of all kinds of rumours against my character and standing as a minister4 ,for proof1 it was represented that ,i was denied access to the ,wesleyan pulpit in this town4 ,when these statements were made early in the year1 the stewards and leaders of the ,york ,society met on the #aath of last ,january1 and passed a resolution to the effect ,that being anxious1 lest1 under exciting circumstances1 you might be tempted to withhold your ministrations from the ,york congregation1 they desire their ,secretary to inform you that it is their wish1 and they believe it a duty you owe to the ,church of ,christ1 to favour it with your views on ,his unsearchable riches as often as an opportunity may present itself4 ,as these rumours have now been revived1 ,i published this resolution in the ,guardian of to-day4 ,the capital offence charged against ,dr4 ,ryerson in publishing his impressions was his exposure of ,joseph ,hume1 ,m4,p41 the friend and patron of ,mr4 ,mackenzie4 7,see pages #aah and #abc47 ,in the ,guardian of ,december #aath1 ,dr4 ,ryerson fully met that charge4 ,among other things he pointed out3-- #ast4 ,that1 having voted for a ,church establishment in ,india1 ,mr4 ,hume was the last man who should have been entrusted with petitions from ,upper ,canada1 against a ,church establishment in ,upper ,canada4 #bnd4 ,that ,methodists emigrating to this country1 when they learn that ,mr4 ,hume is regarded as a sort of representative of the principles of the ,methodists in ,upper ,canada1 immediately imbibe strong prejudices against them1 refusing to unite with them1 and even strongly opposing them1 saying that such ,methodists are ,radicals--a term which1 in ,england1 conveys precisely the same idea that the term ,republican does in this ,province4 ,thus the prejudices which exist between a portion of the ,canadian and ,british ,methodists here1 are heightened1 and the breach widened4 #crd4 ,that even adherents of the ,church of ,england here who were ,reformers in ,england join the ranks of those opposed to us when they know that ,mr4 ,hume is a chosen representative of our views in ,england2 for the personal animosity between the ,whigs and ,reformers and ,radicals in ,england is more bitter1 if possible1 than between the ,radicals and ,tories1 and far more rancorous than between the ,whigs and ,tories4 ,there is just as much difference between an ,english ,reformer and an avowed ,english ,radical as there is between a ,canadian ,reformer and an avowed ,canadian ,republican4 ,in the interests of the ,methodists1 therefore1 religiously and politically1 the allusion to ,mr4 ,hume was justifiable and necessary4 ,dr4 ,ryerson continues3-- ,i may mention that so strongly impressed was ,i with these views1 that in an interview which ,i had with ,mr4 ,secretary ,stanley1 a few days before the ,clergy ,reserve petitions were presented by ,mr4 ,hume1 ,i remarked that the people of ,upper ,canada1 not being acquainted with public men in ,england1 had sent them to the care of a gentleman of influence in the financial affairs of ,great ,britain1 but that ,i was apprehensive that he was not the best qualified to advocate a purely legal and religious question4 ,mr4 ,secretary ,stanley smilingly interrupted me by asking ,is it ,hume8 ,i replied1 ,it is1 but ,i hope this circumstance will not have the least influence upon your mind1 ,mr4 ,secretary ,stanley1 in giving the subject that important and full consideration which its great importance demands4 ,mr4 ,stanley replied3 ,no1 ,mr4 ,ryerson1 be assured that the subject will not be in the least prejudiced in my mind by any circumstance of that kind2 but ,i shall give it the most important and grave consideration4 ,may #bdth4--,within three months after ,dr4 ,ryerson had stated these facts in regard to ,mr4 ,hume1 overwhelming evidence of the correctness of his statement that ,mr4 ,hume was unfit to act as a representative1 in the ,british ,parliament1 of the people of ,upper ,canada1 was given by ,mr4 ,hume himself in a letter addressed to ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 dated #bith ,march1 #ahcd4 ,in that letter ,mr4 ,hume stated that ,mr4 ,mackenzie's ,election to1 and subsequent ejection from the ,legislature1 must hasten that crisis which is fast approaching in the affairs of the ,canadas1 and which will terminate in independence and freedom from the baneful domination of the mother country4 ,he also advised that ,the proceedings between #aggb and #aghb in ,america ought not to be forgotten2 and to the honour of the ,americans1 for the interests of the civilized world1 let their conduct and the result be ever in view4 ,dr4 ,ryerson added3 ,there is no mistaking the revolutionary and treasonable character of this advice given to ,canadians through ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie4 ,yet ,i have been denounced for exposing the designs of such revolutionary advisers6 ,the following is an extract from ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie's remarks in the ,colonial ,advocate on ,mr4 ,hume's letter3-- ,the indignant feeling of the honest old ,reformer 7,hume71 when he became acquainted with the heartless slanders of the unprincipled ingrate ,ryerson1 may be easily conceived from the tone of his letter4444 ,mr4 ,mackenzie will be prepared to hand the original letter to the ,methodist ,conference4 ,june #dth4--,in the ,guardian of this date1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied at length to ,mr4 ,hume's letter1 pointing out how utterly and totally false were ,mr4 ,hume's statements in regard to himself4 ,he1 in ,june1 #ahcb1 expressed his opinion of ,mr4 ,hume 7pages #aah and #abc74 ,he then said3-- ,that was my opinion of ,mr4 ,hume1 even before ,i advocated the ,clergy ,reserve petition in ,england1--such it was after ,i conversed with him personally1 and witnessed his proceedings1--such it is now1--and such must be the opinion of every ,british subject1 after reading ,mr4 ,hume's revolutionary letter1 in which he rejoices in the approach of a crisis in the affairs of the ,canadas1 which will terminate in independence and freedom from the baneful domination of the mother country6 ,i stated to ,mr4 ,mackenzie more than once1 when he called upon me in ,london1 that ,i could not associate myself with his political measures4 ,but notwithstanding all my caution1 ,i1 in fact1 got into bad company1 for which ,i have now paid a pretty fair price4444 ,i cannot but regard it as a blessing and happiness to the ,methodist connexion at large1 that they also1 by the admission of all parties1 stand so completely distinct from ,messrs4 ,hume and ,mackenzie1 as to be involved in no responsibility and disgrace1 by this premature announcement of their revolutionary purposes4 ,oct4 #beth4--,as to the final result of the agitation in regard to the ,impressions1 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 writing from ,hallowell 7,picton71 at this date1 says3-- ,the work of schism has been pretty extensive in some parts of this ,district4 ,there have as the result of it left1 or have been expelled1 on the ,waterloo ,circuit1 #aej2 on the ,bay of ,quinte1 #dj2 in ,belleville1 #dg2 ,sidney1 #ej2 ,cobourg1 #cb2 making in all #cbj4 ,there have been received on these circuits since ,conference #agj1 which leaves a balance against us of #aej4 ,remarks on the ,result of the ,impressions4 ,the result 7on the membership of the ,societies7 of this politico-religious agitation was more or less the same in other parts of the ,connexion4 ,the publication of the impressions was 7to those who had for years been in a state of chronic war with the powers that be7 like the falling of the thunderbolt of ,jove out of a cloudless sky4 ,it unexpectedly precipitated a crisis in provincial affairs4 ,it brought men face to face with a new issue4 ,an issue too which they had not thought of2 or1 if it had presented itself to their minds1 was regarded as a remote1 if possible1 contingency4 ,their experience of the working of ,british institutions 7as the parody on them in ,upper ,canada was called71 had so excited their hostility and embittered their feelings1 that when they at first heard ,dr4 ,ryerson speak in terms of eulogy of the working of these institutions in the mother country1 they could not1 or would not1 distinguish between such institutions in ,england and their professed counterpart in ,upper ,canada4 ,nor could they believe that the great champion of their cause1 who in the past had exposed the pernicious and oppressive workings of the so-called ,british institutions in ,upper ,canada1 was sincere in his exposition of the principles and the promulgation of doctrines in regard to men and things in ,britain1 which were now declared by ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie to be heretical as well as entirely opposed to views and opinions which he 7,dr4 ,ryerson7 had hitherto held on these important questions4 ,the novelty of the impressions themselves1 and the bitterness with which they were at once assailed1 confused the public mind and embarrassed many of ,dr4 ,ryerson's friends4 ,in these days of ocean telegraphy and almost daily intercourse by steam with ,britain1 we can scarcely realize how far separated ,canada was from ,england fifty years ago4 ,besides this1 the channels through which that intercourse was carried on were few1 and often of a partizan character4 ,downing ,street ,colonial ,office influence1 and ,downing ,street interference with ,canadian rights1 were popular and favourite topics of declamation and appeal with the leaders of a large section of the community4 ,not that there did not exist1 in many instances1 serious grounds for the accusations against the ,colonial ,office2 but they1 in most cases1 arose in that office from ignorance rather than from design4 ,however the causes of complaint were often greatly exaggerated1 and very often designedly so by interested parties on both sides of the ,atlantic4 ,this1 ,dr4 ,ryerson soon discovered on his first visit to ,england1 in #ahcc1 and in his personal intercourse with the ,colonial ,secretaries and other public men in ,london4 ,the manly generosity of his nature recoiled from being a party to the misrepresentation and injustice which was current in ,canada1 when he had satisfied himself of the true state of the case4 ,he1 therefore1 on his return to the ,province1 gave the public the benefit of his observation and experience in ,england4 ,in the light of to-day what he wrote appears fair and reasonable4 ,it was the natural expression of pleased surprise that men and things in ,england were not so bad as had been represented2 and that there was no just cause for either alarm or ill feeling4 ,his comparisons of parties in ,england and in ,canada were by extreme political leaders in ,canada considered odious4 ,hence the storm of invective which his observations raised4 ,he showed incidentally that the real enemies to ,canada were not those who ruled at ,downing ,street1 but those who set themselves up--within the walls of ,parliament in ,england and their prompters in ,canada--as the exponents of the views and feelings of the ,canadian people4 ,the result of such a proceeding on ,dr4 ,ryerson's part can easily be imagined4 ,mr4 ,hume in ,england1 and ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie in ,canada1 took the alarm4 ,they very properly reasoned that if ,dr4 ,ryerson's views prevailed1 their occupation as agitators and fomenters of discontent would be gone4 ,hence the extraordinary vehemence which characterized their denunciations of the writer who had so clearly exposed 7as he did more fully at a later period of the controversy71 the disloyalty of their aims1 and the revolutionary character of their schemes4 ,this assault on ,dr4 ,ryerson was entirely disproportionate to the cause of offence4 ,were it not that the moral effect of what he wrote--more than what he actually said--was feared1 because addressed to a people who had always listened to his words with deep attention and great respect1 it is likely that his words would have passed unchallenged and unheeded4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i have given more than usual prominence to this period of ,dr4 ,ryerson's history--although he has left no record of it in the ,story which he had written4 ,but ,i have done so in justice to himself1 and from the fact that it marked an important epoch in his life and in the history of the ,province4 ,it was an event in which the native nobility of his character asserted itself4 ,the generous impulse which moved him to defend ,mr4 ,bidwell1 when maligned and misrepresented1 and ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 whom he looked upon as unjustly treated and as a martyr1 prompted him to do full justice to ,english institutions1 and to parties and leaders there1 even at the expense of his own pre-conceived notions on the subject4 ,by doing so he refused to be of those who would perpetuate an imposition upon the credulity of his countrymen1 and especially of those who had trusted him and had looked up to him as a leader of men1 and as an exponent of sound principles of government and public policy4 ,and he refused the more when that imposition was practised for the benefit of those in whom he had no confidence1 and to the injury of those for whose welfare he had laboured for years4 ,dr4 ,ryerson preferred to risk the odium of interested partisans1 rather than fail to tell his countrymen truly and frankly the real state of the case--who and what were the men and parties with whom they had to do in ,england--either as persons in official life1 or as members of ,parliament1 or writers for the press4 ,he felt it to be his duty to warn those who would heed his warning of the danger which they incurred in following the unchallenged leadership of men whose aim he felt to be revolution1 and whose spirit was disloyalty itself1 if not a thinly disguised treason4 ,after the storm of reproach and calumny had passed away1 there were thousands in ,upper ,canada who had reason to cherish with respect and love the name of one who1 at a critical time1 had so faithfully warned them of impending danger1 and saved them from political and social ruin4 ,such gratitude was ,dr4 ,ryerson's sole reward4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it would be impossible1 within the compass of this ,story1 to include any details of the speeches1 editorials1 or other writings of ,dr4 ,ryerson during the many years of contest for civil and religious rights in ,upper ,canada4 ,the ,guardian1 the newspaper press 7chiefly that opposed to ,dr4 ,ryerson71 and the records of the ,house of ,assembly contain ample proof of the severity of the protracted struggle which finally issued in the establishment on a secure foundation of the religious and denominational privileges and freedom which we now enjoy4 ,to the ,presbyterians1 ,congregationalists1 ,baptists1 etc41 who joined heartily with the ,methodist leaders in the prolonged struggle1 the gratitude of the country must always be due4--,j4 ,g4 ,h4 99 99 99 99 99 ,march #gth4--,in the midst of his perplexing duties as editor1 and the storm of personal attack which his impressions had evoked1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received a letter from his ,mother4 ,it must have been to him like good news from a far country4 ,full of love and gratitude to ,god1 it would be to him like waters of refreshment to a weary soul4 ,his ,mother said3-- ,with emotions of gratitude to ,god1 ,i now write to you1 to let you know that the state of my health is as good as usual4 ,surely the ,lord is good1 and doeth good1 and ,his tender mercies are over me as a part of the work of ,his hands4 ,i find that my affections are daily deadening to the things of earth1 and my desires for any earthly good decreasing4 ,i have an increase of my desire for holiness of heart1 and conformity to all the will of ,god4 ,i can say with the poet1 ,come life1 come death1 or come what will1 ,his footsteps ,i will follow still4 ,i long to say1 ,i live1 yet not ,i1 but ,christ liveth in me4 ,besiege the throne of grace1 dear ,egerton1 in my behalf4 ,pray that the ,lord would finish his work1 and cut it short in righteousness1 and make my heart a fit temple for the ,holy ,ghost to dwell in4 ,oh1 my son1 be continually on your guard4 ,you have need to believe firmly1 to pray fervently1 to work abundantly4 ,live a holy life1 die daily2 watch your heart2 guide your senses2 redeem your time2 love ,christ1 and long for glory4 ,give my love to your wife1 and to all whom who may enquire for me1 and accept a share yourself1 from your affection-mother1 ,mehetabel ,ryerson4 ,charlotteville1 ,march #dth1 #ahcd4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after his return from ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received a letter from ,rev4 ,wm4 ,lord1 dated ,manchester1 #beth ,march1 #ahcd1 in which he referred to an incident of ,dr4 ,ryerson's visit to his house while in ,england4 ,he says3-- ,your company1 ,i am thankful to say1 was very useful to several members of my family4 ,the last time you prayed with us1 an influence was received by one or two1 the effects of which have remained to this day4 ,i now allude more particularly to ----1 who1 more than twenty times since1 has met me at the door1 saying1 ,have you a letter from ,mr4 ,ryerson8 ,,footnotes3 #da ,as an example of the manner in which the ,union was hailed in some parts of the ,province1 a gentleman1 writing from ,merrickville on the #aath ,december1 mentions a gratifying incident in regard to it4 ,he says3--,at one ,quarterly ,conference ,love ,feast1 when the presiding ,elder told the assembled multitude that they were for the first time about to partake of bread and water as a token of love under the name of ,british ,wesleyan ,methodists1 a general burst of approbation proceeded from preachers1 leaders1 and members1 and such a feeling seemed to pervade the whole assembly1 as it would be difficult to describe4--,h4 #db ,see page #ih4 #dc ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,david ,wright1 ,james ,evans1 ,william ,griffis1 jun41 ,henry ,wilkinson and ,edwy ,ryerson4 ,the protest was as follows3 ,we1 the undersigned ministers of the ,w4 ,m4 ,church1 desirous to avert the evils which may probably result to our ,zion from impressions made by certain political remarks in the editorial department of the ,guardian1 take this opportunity of expressing our sentiments for your satisfaction1 and to save our characters from aspersion4 ,first4 ,we have considered1 and are still of the same opinion1 that the clergy of the ,episcopal ,church ought to be deprived of every emolument derived from ,governmental aid1 and what are called the ,clergy ,reserves4 ,secondly4 ,that our political views are decidedly the same which they were previous to the visit of the editor of the ,guardian to ,england1 and we believe that the views of our brethren in the ministry are unchanged4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 #ahcd4 ,events following the ,union4--,division and ,strife4 ,dr4 ,ryerson has left nothing in his ,story to illustrate this period of his personal history1 nor the strife and division which followed the consummation of the union of the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences4 ,these untoward events are1 however1 fully described in the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pages #bdg-caa3 ,they arose chiefly out of the differences which disturbed the ,british and ,canadian ,methodist ,societies in ,kingston and other places1 and the separation in the ,societies generally1 caused by the establishment of the ,methodist ,episcopal ,church in #ahcd4 ,i have already given1 in chapter xi41 page #abh1 an extract of a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 from his brother ,john1 indicating the causes of strife between the ,british and ,canadian ,societies4 ,i give the following letter1 also from the same gentleman1 written from ,hallowell early in ,november1 #ahcc1 in which he said3-- ,brother ,william and ,i called on the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,hetherington at ,kingston4 ,he said3--,that there could be no union2 that we were ,radicals2 that they would not be united with us2 that the ,district ,meetings of ,lower ,canada1 ,halifax1 etc41 intended to make common cause with them2 especially they intended to remonstrate against giving up ,york and ,kingston4 ,they also intended to appeal to the ,british ,conference1 and if they were not heard by it they would appeal to the ,british people4 ,if the ,british ,conference will allow its members to throw firebrands1 arrows1 and death around in this way1 and reciprocate their proceedings after this manner with impunity1 they are very different men from what ,i have taken them to be4 ,nov4 #bjth4--,in a subsequent letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 his brother ,john says3-- ,i fear much for the ,union from the ,english ,missionary party4 ,should they1 from any consideration1 undertake to retain ,kingston and ,york1 our cause there will be ruined4 ,in case of such an event1 ,i will retire immediately1 and bid farewell to the strife and toil in which we have been engaged ever since we have been travelling preachers4 ,let me know who have thrown up the ,guardian4 ,you will have seen the ,cobourg ,reformer's attacks4 ,it is of much more importance for you to expose ,mr4 ,radcliffe1 the editor1 than any one else1 and point out that1 in his present enmity to ,methodist principles1 this is not the first time he has endeavoured to break the ,methodist ranks1 and to sow the seeds of discord among her friends4 ,i would take good care not to lean a hairsbreadth towards radicalism4 ,one reason of their making this onslaught is to scare you1 and induce you to say something which will excite the jealousy of the ,government1 and the disapprobation of our ,british brethren1 and thereby destroy us with them as they seek to do with other parties4 ,nov4 #bbnd4--,what is thus stated by his brother ,john was corroborated by his brother ,william1 who was stationed at ,kingston1 and who1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 said3-- ,i need not say what my feelings were when ,i arrived at this place1 and found that arrangements had been made by ,mr4 ,marsden1 in violation of the understanding with the ,conference1 and in defiance of the opinions and wishes of every one of our friends in the town and country1 whose feelings have not only been wounded and grieved1 but have rendered the prospects of a union in this place more than ever entirely hopeless4 ,i have not been considered fit 7probably for want of ability7 to act as ,superintendent of such an important station2 ,i have no authority to receive or expel a member1 or even to preside in a meeting of ,stewards and ,leaders2 while my ,superintendent is in ,montreal or ,quebec2 whether or not he will so stoop as to visit us at all1 we cannot say4 ,besides being shut out of the ,british ,wesleyan ,chapel1 every possible means is being used to prevent a single individual of their ,society from attending our ,chapel2 and my field of labour is not only greatly circumscribed1 but the prospect of usefulness is nearly destroyed4 ,what my feelings must be1 under such circumstances1 you can easily judge4 ,i can only say that as soon as ,i can see a way opened1 and can do so consistently1 ,i will not labour as a travelling preacher one day longer4 ,january #hth1 #ahcd4--;,his brother ,john1 in another letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,hallowell1 said3-- ,whoever may be the agents in making alterations in our economy1 ,i will not be one4 ,with improvements1 alterations1 unions1 and disunions1 we have been agitated long enough4 ,i am done with such business1 henceforth and forever4 ,at our last ,conference it was understood1 and expressly stated that no alterations would hereafter be attempted2 and so we have assured the people4 ,but behold1 before they receive that assurance1 some alterations are mooted4 ,do away with the ,presiding ,elders1 lessen the ,districts1 etc41 and a dozen other things which will necessarily follow4 ,the reason urged for these changes is worse than the things themselves--namely3 ,if we don't1 the ,british ,missionaries will write to the ,superintendents and raise such a storm in ,england1 etc41 etc4 ,if this is the way we are to be governed1 and if this is the state of the ,connexion at home1 the ,resolutions on ,union1 on parchment or paper1 are a miserable farce4 ,the more ,i think on this subject1 the worse ,i like it4 ,in a letter from ,kingston to ,dr4 ,ryerson on this subject1 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson says3-- ,i have done my utmost to promote the union of the two ,societies in this town4 ,if things are carried with too high a hand1 we shall lose our ,kingston ,chapel and congregation altogether2 and1 should the ,kingston people shut their ,chapel against us1 it will be impossible to keep things quiet in ,lower ,canada4 ,i do not think it necessary to sacrifice the ,union to ,kingston1 nor is it necessary to sacrifice ,kingston1 because a number of disaffected radicals in the ,bay of ,quinte like to make the state of things here an excuse for their anti-methodistical proceedings4 ,if there were no ,kingston in existence1 these men would never cordially love the ,union4 ,april1 #ahcd4--;,dr4 ,ryerson received a letter from the new ,president of the ,canada ,conference 7,rev4 ,edmund ,grindrod7 dated ,london1 ,england1 in which the latter said3-- ,one object of my visit will be to allay the hostility of our ,societies in the ,lower ,province to their union with us4 ,mr4 ,alder 7said ,mr4 ,grindrod7 was to have accompanied him1 but at ,mr4 ,bunting's suggestion this plan was abandoned in the hope that-- ,the friends in ,lower ,canada1 when they have had time to reflect1 would return to better views and feelings4 ,dec4 #crd4--,writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,kingston1 at this date1 ,rev4 ,john ,c4 ,davidson#dd says3-- ,i have been told by the most influential members of the ,leaders' ,meeting here that pledges to the following effect have been most solemnly given to them by ,mr4 ,alder and ,mr4 ,grindrod1 viz3--,that the members of the ,british ,society here did not1 and were never to make a part of the ,societies governed by the ,canada ,conference2 that they were to remain as they always were2 that their numbers were to be returned to the home ,conference2 that our ,society was to be merged in theirs2 and ,kingston become the head of the ,missionary establishment in ,canada1--always to be the residence of the ,superintendent1 who was to control and regulate the ,kingston ,societies2 and that the ,presiding ,elder was to have nothing to do with the town2 that a large chapel was to be forthwith built1--to be deeded to the ,british ,conference2 and that the minister in charge of ,kingston was always to be an ,englishman4 99 99 99 99 99 ,towards the close of this year1 the ,methodist ,episcopal ,church in ,canada was organized4 ,full details of this division are given by ,dr4 ,ryerson in the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pages #bgj-bhh4 ,happily this separated branch of the great ,methodist family is being re-united to the parent stock in #ahhc4 ,further reference to the subject is1 therefore1 unnecessary in this ,story4 ,nevertheless it should be remembered that in the discussion and controversy which for years followed this event1 ,dr4 ,ryerson occupied a foremost place as the champion on the ,wesleyan ,methodist side4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,footnotes3 #dd ,this gentleman entered the ,methodist ,church in #ahbg1 joined the ,church of ,england in #ahed1 and was for many years a minister of a congregation in the ,province of ,quebec4 ,he died in #ahha4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 #ahcd-ahce4 ,second ,retirement from the ,guardian ,editorship4 ,as already intimated in ,chapter xi41 the publication of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,impressions of ,england1 etc41 in the ,guardian of #ahcc1 excited quite a political and social sensation4 ,public men of all shades of opinion had their feelings at once enlisted for or against the ,editor of that paper1 and condemned or commended his course accordingly4 ,such a result did not cause much immediate concern to ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,he1 as ,editor1 claimed from the first1 and his opponents outside of the ,connexion admitted1 that in battling for religious equality and denominational rights1 he should be left untrammelled4 ,in other words1 that as ,editor of a leading paper like the ,guardian1 he should be left free to counsel1 to advise and warn1 and1 if necessary1 to take strong ground on all questions involving purely civil rights1 and the constitutional exercise of the prerogative on the part of the ,executive4 ,this was the more necessary1 as civil and religious freedom were largely identical in those days of undefined prerogative1 irresponsible government1 and inchoate institutions4 ,all parties1 therefore1 tacitly conceded what the ,editor of the ,guardian claimed--a wide latitude and a reasonable discretion in discussing questions of the day which involved either civil rights or religious freedom4 ,this wise discretion was the more necessary from the fact that the ,guardian was unquestionably the leading newspaper during these years1 and was edited with more than ordinary ability and power4#de ,besides1 there were many thoughtful men who took little part in politics1 and yet who looked with alarm on the claims and encroachments of the ,family ,compact1--a powerful and influential party1 and dominant alike in church and state4 ,many of the able public men of the day1 who were moderate in their views1 were nevertheless the champions of popular rights4 ,these men were ,messrs4 ,bidwell1 ,baldwin1 ,dunn1 and others4 ,their influence was strongly felt in the ,house of ,assembly1 and was sustained by their great moral worth and high social position4 ,to such men the powerful aid of the ,guardian1 in advocating the principles of equal justice to all parties alike1 was indispensable2 and from its support they derived much strength1 and were greatly aided in maintaining their position in the ,house and in the country4 ,it was under these circumstances1 and amid the peculiar exigencies of the times1 that the ,christian ,guardian became the great organ of public opinion on the liberal side in ,upper ,canada4 ,it can1 therefore1 be well understood how at such a time1 when the supremacy of party was the question of the hour1 the publication of ,dr4 ,ryerson's impressions--candid and moderate as they were--fell like a bombshell amongst those in ,canada who had set up as political idols such men as ,hume and ,roebuck in ,england4 ,to dethrone such idols was of itself bad enough2 but that was not the head and front of ,dr4 ,ryerson's offending4 ,what gave such mortal offence was that ,dr4 ,ryerson saw any good whatever in the moderate ,english ,conservative 7though he saw none in the ,english ,tory74 ,and worse still1 that he saw many undesirable things in the ,english ,whigs1 and nothing good in the ,english ,radicals4 ,to give special point to these criticisms and comparisons ,dr4 ,ryerson stated that3-- ,radicalism in ,england appeared to me to be another word for ,republicanism1 with the name of ,king instead of ,president 444 and that the very description of the public press1 which in ,england advocates the lowest ,radicalism1 is the foremost in opposing and slandering the ,methodists in this ,province4 ,hence the fact that some of these editors have been amongst the lowest of the ,english ,radicals1 previous to their egress from the mother country4 ,the point of this criticism struck home2 and1 on the very day on which it appeared1 the cap was fitted upon the head of the leading radical of the province4 ,in fact1 he placed it there himself1 and thenceforth proclaimed war to the knife against the ,editor of the ,guardian4 7,see page #abe47 ,with singular ability and zeal did ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie carry on this warfare4 ,he at once saw what would be the effect of the new departure4 ,and so promptly and energetically did he denounce the arch-apostate ,egerton1 alias ,arnold1 ,ryerson as a deserter1 that he secured with little difficulty an impromptu verdict from the public against him4 ,this he the more readily accomplished1 by the aid of at least half a dozen editors of newspapers in various parts of the province1 while ,dr4 ,ryerson was single-handed4 ,not only did these editors join with great vigour in the hue and cry against ,dr4 ,ryerson 7for they had many scores of their own to settle with their powerful rival71 but many of ,dr4 ,ryerson's own brethren were carried away by the sudden outburst of passion against him4 ,hundreds of the supporters of the ,guardian turned from him1 as a deserter1 and many gave up the paper4 ,it is true that the tide soon turned2 and those who had refused at first to heed1 or even to listen to1 the words of warning uttered by ,dr4 ,ryerson in this crisis1 were afterwards glad to profit by them1 and thus saved themselves in time from the direful consequences which followed during the sad events of #ahcg-ch4 ,the effect1 however1 of that severe and unexpected encounter with irrational prejudice 7joined to the hostility of those whose plans were prematurely disclosed and frustrated7 was too much for one who1 as a ,christian minister and a lover of his country1 was filled with higher aims than those of a mere politician4 ,in the course of the discussion which followed1 ,dr4 ,ryerson came into contact with some of the more unreasoning of his brethren4 7,see pages #acj-acc47 ,the question was raised as to how far the ,guardian should be involved in conflicts like the present1 which from their very nature introduced an apple of discord into the ,connexion1 as they partook more of a political than of a religious character4 ,this question was pressed upon members of the ,conference by the ,british ,missionaries1 whose national prejudices and political sensibilities were1 as they alleged1 wounded by the adverse strictures of the ,editor of the ,guardian on ,church ,establishments1 the ,clergy ,reserve question1 and kindred topics4 ,knowing the impossibility of reconciling views so opposite as those expressed by the ,british ,missionaries and those of the great majority of ,canadian ,methodists 7as represented by the ,guardian71 ,dr4 ,ryerson resolved to retire from the editorship4 ,this1 by a vote of his brethren in the ,conference of #ahcd1 he was not permitted to do4 ,but1 like a wise and prudent counsellor amongst men of differing views1 he determined to take the initiative in settling1 on a satisfactory basis1 the future course of the ,guardian as to the discussion of political and social questions4 ,at that ,conference1 therefore1 he prepared and submitted a series of resolutions to the following effect3-- #a4 ,that the ,christian ,guardian1 as the organ of the ,conference1 shall be properly and truly a religious and literary journal1 to explain our doctrines and institutions1 and1 in the spirit of meekness1 defend them when necessary2 to vindicate our character1 if expedient1 when misrepresented2 to maintain our religious privileges1 etc4 #b4 ,to publish general news1 etc4 #c4 ,that the ,christian ,guardian shall not be the medium of discussing political questions1 nor the merits of political parties2 as it is injurious to the interests of religion1 and derogatory to our character as a religious body1 to have our ,church amalgamated or identified with any political party4 ,these resolutions were cordially adopted by the ,conference4 ,october #dth1 #ahcd4--;,in a letter received by ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,rev4 ,g4 ,marsden1 ,liverpool1 the latter referred to this subject and said3-- ,your continuance in office1 as editor1 is of very high importance2 indeed1 in some respects it is essential to the consolidation of the ,union4 ,loyalty to our ,sovereign1 and firm attachment to the ,british ,constitution will be supported by it4 ,you will also be able to defend1 and to support sound ,wesleyan ,methodism2 and the foundation being now laid1 you will be able to guard it well4 ,rev4 ,e4 ,grindrod1 also writing from ,england1 said3-- ,from the ,christian ,guardian1 ,i perceive that you have had a hard battle to fight1 but you have proved victorious2 and at a future day1 ,i have no doubt1 you will rejoice that the ,lord counted you worthy to suffer in the achievement of an object which will probably result in immense benefit to a whole ,province for generations to come4 ,january #bhth1 #ahce4--;,about this time ,dr4 ,ryerson received a remonstrance on the subject from his brother ,john1 who said3-- ,the more ,i think of your leaving the office1 the more unfavourably ,i think of it4 ,there is a tremendous opposition to it in these parts 7,hallowell71 among both preachers and people4 ,i think it will do the paper a great wrong2 you had better remain undisturbed until next ,conference4 ,feby4 #bjth4--,rev4 ,william ,ryerson1 in a kind letter from ,st4 ,catharines1 said3-- ,the spirit and feeling displayed in your most interesting letter has made the deepest impression on my mind4 ,i know that you have your own difficulties and troubles1 yet they do not appear to prevent the outflow of your sympathy for others4 ,how sincerely do ,i pray that the ,god of mercy and truth may graciously support you under all your trials and difficulties1 and in ,his good time bring you out of them1 purified as gold4 ,i am exceedingly fearful that we shall have more1 and great difficulties1 at our next ,conference4 ,every article and word in the ,guardian is criticised and noted1 and made the subject of a large and constant correspondence1 especially with the local preachers1 in different parts of the ,province4 ,we shall be much embarrassed about the editorship of the ,guardian4 ,perhaps ,providence will point out some suitable person should you retire4 ,may #bgth4--,in the ,guardian of this date1 ,dr4 ,ryerson again gave expression to his long-cherished desire to retire from the editorial management of that paper4 ,he did so for reasons already given-- ,besides 7he said7 it was the understanding entered into with the ,conference of #ahcd1 when ,i consented to undertake the duty of editor for one year4 ,it is gratifying to notice that the vituperation of party interest and malevolence are nearly1 if not quite1 spent4 ,i have1 in this and the last two numbers of the ,guardian1 endeavoured to leave nothing for my successor to settle on that score4 ,my editorial career in the past has been during an eventful and agitated period of our ,provincial history4 ,i have steadily endeavoured to keep one object in view--the promotion of ,christianity and the prosperity of the country4 ,in severing my connection with a large portion of the reading public1 ,i am moved with feelings not easily expressed4 ,my interest in the cause which ,i have advocated1 and in the general welfare of my native ,province 7which has been intense for years past71 will not be less so in any future fields of labour4 ,when it was found that ,dr4 ,ryerson had finally decided to retire from the editorship of the ,guardian1 various suggestions were made to him as to his future field of labour4 ,the ,connexion in ,lower ,canada were anxious to secure him as a minister there4 ,the question came up at an official meeting in ,quebec1 and ,rev4 ,william ,lord1 who presided1 wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the subject1 in ,may1 #ahce1 as follows3-- ,respecting your future appointment to this ,province1 ,i may mention that several of the brethren objected to your leaving the ,upper ,province1 lest it should be thought you were sent away in disgrace4 ,i think1 however1 that ,i can obtain a station that will be deemed honourable to yourself1 and1 ,i think1 quite agreeable1 affording a fine field of usefulness4 ,i am now sitting in the ,quarterly ,meeting1 and when the question of preachers for the next year came on1 ,i mentioned that ,i had conversed with you respecting taking a circuit1 in this ,province4 ,they unanimously requested that ,brother ,wm4 ,squire and ,brother ,egerton ,ryerson might be appointed to them next year4 ,i shall soon be in ,york1 when ,i will endeavour to obtain the consent of the friends there1 and ,i think you will be pleased with the place4 ,as an indication amongst others of the appreciation in which ,dr4 ,ryerson's services were held1 ,rev4 ,r4 ,heyland1 in a letter to him from ,adolphustown1 said3-- ,the people in these parts are very desirous of seeing and hearing the champion who has written so much in defence of ,methodism1 and rescued the character of our ,church from the odium which its unprincipled enemies have been endeavouring to heap upon it for years past4 ,be so good as to gratify them this once1 and come and dedicate our new chapel here4 ,june #agth4--,on this day1 for the second time1 ,dr4 ,ryerson took leave of the readers of the ,guardian--having been relieved by the ,conference of the duties of ,editor1 at his own request4 ,he said3-- ,i was1 however1 elected ,secretary of the ,conference1 and was stationed at ,kingston4 ,in addition1 ,i was appointed1 with ,rev4 ,william ,lord1 ,president of our ,conference1 a delegate to the ,american ,general ,conference4 ,in his valedictory he said3-- ,in relinquishing my present position my thoughts are spontaneously led back to the period--ten years since--when ,i first commenced public life4 ,at that time the ,methodists were an obscure1 a despised1 an ill-treated people2 nor had their church the security of law for a single chapel1 parsonage1 or acre of land4444 ,now the political condition and relations of the ,methodist connexion are pleasingly changed4 ,ten years ago there were #da ministers and #f1hge church members2 now there are #ic ministers and #ae1ajf church members4 ,we may well thank ,god1 therefore1 and take courage4 ,i have no ill-will towards any human being4 ,i freely and heartily forgive the many false and wicked things said of me1 publicly and privately4 ,i have written what ,i thought best for the cause of religion1 the cause of ,methodism1 and the civil interests of the country4 ,i have never received one acre of land1 nor one farthing from ,government1 nor of any public money4 ,i have never written one line at the request of any person connected with the ,government4 ,i count it to be the highest honour to which ,i can aspire to be a ,methodist preacher2 and in this relation to the ,church and to the world ,i shall count it my highest joy to finish my earthly course4 99 99 99 99 99 ,dr4 ,ryerson's wish having been fully gratified1 and the ,conference of #ahce having relieved him of the editorship1 he was stationed at ,kingston4 ,this place1 of all others1 had been the scene of strife and division between the ,british and ,canadian branches of the ,church1 and was the key to the position held by the ,british ,missionaries in ,upper ,canada4 7,see pages #abh and #ada74 ,dr4 ,ryerson's arrival there and his reception by the people at ,kingston are described in a letter which he wrote to his friend1 ,mr4 ,s4 ,s4 ,junkin1 of the ,guardian office1 dated ,july #aeth3 ,we have just arrived1 and are for the present staying at the house of ,mr4 ,cassidy1 the lawyer1 where we receive every possible kindness and attention4 7,see ,chapter xxiii47 ,i have been very kindly received by the members here4 ,strong prejudices have existed in the minds of individuals against me4 ,but they are not only broken down1 but in the principal cases are turned into warm friendship already4 ,some who were as bitter as gall1 and croaking from day to day that the glory has departed1 are now like new-born babes in ,christ2 are happy in their own souls1 praying for sinners1 and doing all they can to build up the cause4 ,i can scarcely account for it4 ,i never felt more deeply humbled than since ,i came here4 ,i have indeed resolved to give my whole soul1 body and spirit1 to ,god and to ,his ,church anew1 but ,i have had scarcely a tolerable time in preaching4 ,yet the ,divine blessing has specially accompanied the ,word4 ,on ,wednesday night last the fallow ground of the hearts of professors seemed to be completely broken up4 ,on ,thursday night ,i was in the country1 but was told the prayer-meeting was the largest that had been held for two years4 ,on ,sunday evening we had prayer-meeting after preaching4 ,several came to the altar1 two or three of whom found peace4 ,i closed it at nine o'clock1 but some stayed and others came in1 and it was kept up until near one o'clock in the morning4 ,on ,monday night the altar was surrounded with penitents1 and the meeting1 ,i was told 7for ,i was not there71 was better than any former one1 and was kept up until after midnight4 ,at our preachers and leaders' meeting last night there was a good time4 ,we have preaching and prayer-meeting again to-night4 ,we have formed the leaders' meeting of both chapels into one1 to the satisfaction of the brethren on both sides4 ,i now begin to hope for better times4 ,my soul was bowed down like a bulrush for some days after ,i came here4 ,but ,i thank ,god ,i have a hold upon the salvation of ,christ that ,i had not felt for a long time before2 and ,i do believe the ,lord our ,god will help us and bless us4 ,i have preached at ,waterloo twice since ,i came down4 ,the last time1 several penitents came to the altar2 two professed to find peace1 but it was upon the whole a dry time to me4 ,they are hard cases there4 ,i attended a very blessed quarterly meeting on the ,isle of ,tanti1 on ,thursday last4 ,it was the best day to my own soul that ,i have experienced for years4 ,i feel like a man liberated from prison2 but ,i have reason to believe that the people are in general amazingly disappointed in my pulpit exercises4 ,they expected great things--things gaudy1 stately1 and speculative1--and ,i gave them the simplest and most practical things ,i can find in the ,bible1 and that in the plainest way4 ,you would be amused at the sayings of some of the plain ,methodist people2 they think that it is the real pure ,gospel1 but they did not expect it so1 from that quarter4 ,i am told that ,dr4 ,barker has said in his ,whig1 that my pulpit talents are nothing4 ,i am very glad to have this impression go abroad2 it will relieve me from distressing embarrassments1 and enable me to do much more good in a plain way2 for ,i know the utmost ,i can attain in the pulpit is to make things plain1 and sometimes forcible4 ,we had a very blessed prayer-meeting last night1 after preaching4 ,a considerable number of penitents came to the altar1 and some found peace4 ,the work seems to be deepening among the ,society4 ,i think we shall have a comfortable and prosperous year4 ,september #bdth4 ,in a subsequent letter to ,mr4 ,junkin1 ,dr4 ,ryerson speaks of a sudden and severe bereavement which had overtaken him4 ,he said3-- ,my poor little son ,john#df has been removed to the other and better country4 ,he continued to walk about until within ten minutes before his death1 on the #bbnd inst4 ,after attempting to take a spoonful of milk1 he leaned back his head and expired in my arms1 without the slightest visible struggle4 ,he has suffered much1 but expressed a desire that he might live1 so that he could see his little sister4 ,he told me a few days before he died1 that he hoped to go to ,heaven1 because ,jesus had died for him1 and loved him4 ,i feel as a broken vessel in this bereavement of the subject of so many anxious cares and fond hopes4 ,but this ,i do know1 that ,i love ,god1 and supremely desire to advance ,his glory1 and that ,he does all things for the best4 ,i will therefore magnify ,his name when clouds and darkness envelope ,his ways1 as well as when the smiles of ,his providence gladden the heart of man4 ,o may ,he make me and mine more entirely and exclusively ,his1 than ever6 ,in a letter to ,mr4 ,junkin1 dated ,november #adth1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3-- ,we all go into one chapel to-morrow1 which will complete the ,union4 ,thank the ,lord for it6 ,every one of our members of the ,american ,society 7so called heretofore7 has already taken sittings in the newly enlarged chapel1 and all things appear to be harmonious and encouraging4 ,every pew in the body of the chapel has already been taken by our brethren and intimate friends2 and1 notwithstanding the new chapel will hold more than both the old ones1 we are not likely to have enough sittings to meet the applications that are likely to be made1 when it is known out of the ,society1 though the whole chapel above and below 7except one tier around the gallery7 is pewed4 ,i have learned that ,i shall have to take another trip to ,england4 ,we had just got comfortably settled here in ,kingston2 had become acquainted with the people on all sides1 and are happy in our souls1 and in our work4 ,nothing but the alternative1 as ,rev4 ,william ,lord deeply feels1 of the sinking or success of the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 could have induced me this year to have undertaken such a task4 ,but my motto is--the cause of ,god1 not private considerations4 ,,footnotes3 #de ,the amount of postage paid by newspapers would be a fair indication of their circulation4 ,for instance1 in #ahcj-a1 the postage on the ,christian ,guardian was #bbh sterling 7#a1adj71 which exceeded by #f the aggregate postage paid by the thirteen following newspapers in ,upper ,canada at that time1 viz43--,mackenzie's ,colonial ,advocate1 #eg2 ,the ,courier1 #de2 ,watchman1 #bd2 ,brockville ,recorder1 #af2 ,brockville ,gazette1 #f2 ,niagara ,gleaner and ,herald1 #ag2 ,hamilton ,free ,press1 #aa2 ,kingston ,herald1 #aa2 ,kingston ,chronicle1 #aj2 ,perth ,examiner1 #aj2 ,patriot1 #f1 ,st4 ,catharines ,journal1 #f2 ,york ,observer1 #c4 ,total #bbb1 as against #bbh paid by the ,guardian alone4--,h4 #df ,john ,william1 aged six years1 one month1 and eleven days4 7,see pages #aaa and #aac47--;,h4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 #ahce-ahcf4 ,second ,mission to ,england4--,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,scarcely had ,dr4 ,ryerson been settled at ,kingston in the enjoyment of the freedom and pleasure of his new life as a pastor1 than the exigencies of the ,upper ,canada ,academy called him a second time to ,england4 ,the causes of this sudden call upon his time and energies1 on behalf of the ,academy1 were many and pressing4 ,they were caused chiefly by the miscalculations1 if not indiscreet zeal1 of ,rev4 ,william ,lord1 who1 as ,president of the ,conference and ,chairman of the ,trustee ,board of the ,academy1 had1 by inconsiderate expenditure1 plunged the ,board into hopeless embarrassment4 7,see page #aff47 ,mr4 ,lord was sanguine that what he did in ,canada1 on behalf of the ,academy1 would1 if properly represented1 be cordially endorsed by the brethren and friends in ,england4 ,he1 felt that although he himself might not be able to realize these hopes by a personal appeal1 yet he was certain that the presence in ,england of ,dr4 ,ryerson on such a mission would be highly successful4 ,he1 therefore1 as ,president of the ,canada ,conference1 called upon him to undertake this task4 ,he furnished ,dr4 ,ryerson with such letters and appeals to influential friends as he hoped would ensure success4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 acting on his motto1 that the cause of ,god1 not private considerations1 should influence him1 obeyed the call1 and set out for ,england on this difficult1 and1 as it proved1 arduous and protracted mission1 on the #bjth ,november1 #ahce4 ,the nature and extent of the embarrassments of the ,academy are stated in the letters written to ,dr4 ,ryerson after he had left for ,england4 ,his brother ,john said3-- ,while you are travelling in ,england making collections for the ,academy1 there are1 ,i can assure you1 a great many heartfelt prayers and fervent supplications being offered in this country for your success4 ,the whole concern is in an extremely embarrassed state4 ,if ,rev4 ,william ,lord had not urged us to expenditure1 it would have been at least #a1jjj better for us1 although what he did at the time1 he doubtless did for the best4 ,mr4 ,lord was the means of inducing the building committee to make an unnecessarily expensive fence1 out-houses1 furniture1 c41 saying at the time that money would be forthcoming1 and that ,john ,bull never failed to respond to such calls4 ,we have applied to the ,legislature for assistance1 but ,i think with but little prospect of success4 ,should we not get anything there1 and you raise no more than #b1jjj1 we must go down1 and the concern be sold4 ,it will require #d1jjj or #e1jjj to get us out of debt4 ,if you should collect no more than #b1jjj before you return home1 don't fail to make some arrangements for borrowing two or three thousand more4 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,lord1 writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 said3-- ,by the delay in finishing the buildings1 and the excitement caused by the falsehood of the ultra-,radicals1 confidence was gone1 money could not be raised1 either by begging or borrowing2 and if something had not been done1 the consequence would have been ruinous4 ,i expect that you will have me greatly blamed for not considering before ,i drew bills on ,england for the debt1 but there was no time4 ,the mischief would have been done before we could have heard4 ,the man would have been arrested immediately1--our character ruined1--societies divided1--and subscriptions would have been withheld4 ,our difficulties are great1 and we must make a desperate effort to extricate ourselves4 ,everything depends upon your making a good case1 which you can do4 ,in another letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 from ,canada1 ,mr4 ,lord said3-- ,let me urge you to lose no time in obtaining a ,charter and grant from ,government4 ,i expect our ,radical friends will be using their influence through their friends to prevent your success4 ,be diligent in procuring subscriptions4 ,you possess great advantages now1 by the introductions with which you have been favoured4 ,mr4 ,alder tells me that my bills will be dishonoured4 ,if so1 in addition to the loss of character1 there will be a waste of property in fines1 c4 ,we are all distressed1 our drafts are coming due and the ,banks have ceased to discount1 in consequence of the stagnation of trade1 through stopping the supplies4 ,we have agreed upon a temporary mode of relief1 by drawing upon you for about #ejj4 ,it has given me great surprise and sorrow to ascertain that upwards of #e1jjj are wanted to relieve us from our difficulties4 ,what an unfathomable depth this building has reached4 ,you must stay in ,england until the money is got4 ,use every effort1 harden your face to flint1 and give eloquence to your tongue4 ,this is your calling4 ,excel in it6 ,be not discouraged with a dozen of refusals in succession4 ,the money must be had1 and it must be begged4 ,my dear ,brother1 work for your life1 and ,i pray ,god to give you success4 ,do not borrow1 if possible4 ,beg1 beg1 beg it all4 ,it must be done6 ,such were the circumstances under which this important mission was undertaken by ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,as a set off to these disheartening letters1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received the following from some of his brethren in ,canada4 ,rev4 ,ephraim ,evans said3-- ,i have become a consenting party to your being solicited1 at considerable sacrifice of feeling1 to undertake a tedious journey at the most untoward season of the year1 for the good of the common cause1 and ,i sincerely tender1 in common with my ,brother ,james1 my best thanks for your kind compliance1 and my hearty wishes for your complete success4 ,indeed ,i feel most deeply that upon your success depends1 under ,god1 the prosperity or downfall of the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,be assured that my most fervent prayers will be daily offered up for your health and safety1 for a happy issue to attend your generous endeavours again to promote the interests of the ,church of our mutual affection4 ,i entertain not the slightest hope of being able to procure such a ,charter as we would be justifiable in accepting1 or any support to the institution from our own ,legislature4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 writing from ,hallowell1 said3-- ,your friends in ,kingston 7and all the ,methodists there seem to be such7 spoke much about you and your successful labours there4 ,brothers ,counter1 ,jenkins1 and others1 say they are resolved to have you for their preacher next year1 on your return from ,england4 ,i hope and pray that good luck will attend your efforts4 ,everything depends on the issue of your mission4 ,may the ,lord give you favour in the eyes of the people1 and good success in your vastly important work4 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson1 writing from ,kingston1 said3-- ,we all feel very strange now that you are gone1 but be of good cheer2 we follow you with our sympathy and prayers4 ,we doubt not but ,god--that ,god in whose cause you are making this additional sacrifice1 will succeed your labour1 and cause all things to work together for your good4 ,in a letter from ,london1 ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3-- ,mr4 ,lunn and other friends have arrived from ,quebec1 and have given me ,canadian news1 among other items the stations of various ministers3 ,rev4 ,james ,richardson and ,rev4 ,j4 ,s4 ,atwood withdraw from the ,conference1 and ,rev4 ,mr4 ,irvine goes to the ,states4 ,the ,president and ,i remain at ,kingston4 ,i have been appointed1 by a unanimous vote1 the representative to the ,british ,conference1 and ,i am to present to ,lord ,glenelg an ,address from the ,conference to the ,king4 ,on the #ahth of ,june1 #ahcf1 the ,upper ,canada ,academy was opened1 and the ,principal 7,rev4 ,m4 ,richey7 inaugurated4 ,dr4 ,ryerson added3-- ,i am to stay in ,birmingham1 at the house of a worthy and wealthy ,quaker1 by the name of ,joseph ,sturge4 ,at the general meeting of the ,missionary ,committee1 held recently the resolutions of the ,committee relative to the withdrawal of the ,government grant for the work in ,upper ,canada were read4 ,dr4 ,bunting rose and mentioned its restoration1 and kindly and cordially mentioned me as the means of getting it restored4 ,he gave a flattering account of my proceedings in the affair4 ,i thanked him afterwards for his great kindness in the matter4 ,the labours and result of this1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's second mission to ,england1 are given in ,chapter xvi41 pages #aeh-aff4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 #ahce-ahcf4 ,the ,grievance ,report2 its ,object and ,failure4 ,amongst the ,committees of the ,house of ,assembly at this time was a useful one called the ,committee on ,grievances4 ,to this ,committee was referred all complaints made to the ,house1 and all projects of reform1 etc4 ,at the close of the ,session of #ahce1 ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 as ,chairman1 brought in an elaborate ,report which1 without being read1 was ordered to be printed4 ,in that ,report1 ,mr4 ,mackenzie endeavoured to create a diversion in his favour by showing that while ,dr4 ,ryerson professed to be opposed to ,government grants to religious bodies1 yet he was willing to receive one for the ,wesleyan ,conference4 ,the ,report stated that3-- ,the ,british ,wesleyan ,methodist ,conference1 formerly the ,m4,e4 ,church1 received #a1jjj in #ahcc1 and #faa in #ahcd1 to be applied 444 to the erection1 or repairing of chapels and school-houses1 and defraying the general expenses of the various missions4 ,this appropriation to the ,methodists1 as an ,ecclesiastical ,establishment1 is very singular4 ,in the year #ahbf 444 ,dr4 ,strachan informed the ,colonial ,minister that the ,methodist ministers acquired their education and formed their principles in the ,united ,states4444 ,they appealed to the ,house of ,assembly1 which inquired into and reported on the matter in #ahbh4 ,upon another occasion they received a rebuke from ,sir ,john ,colborne 444 in answer to the ,address of the ,conference requesting him to transmit to ,his ,majesty their ,address on the ,clergy ,reserves4 ,since1 however1 a share of public money has been extended to and received by them1 there seems to have been established a mutual good understanding4 ,to this ,report1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied to the effect-- ,that the grant was made to the ,british ,conference in ,england 7over which we had no control7 and not to the ,canada ,conference2 that the grant in question was made by ,lord ,goderich1 as part of a general scheme agreed upon in #ahcb1 to aid ,missionaries in the ,west ,indies1 ,western1 and ,southern ,africa1 ,new ,south ,wales1 and ,canada1 to erect chapels and school-houses in the needy and destitute settlements2 that the ,rev4 ,r4 ,alder had come from ,england1 in #ahcc1 to establish separate and distinct missions from those under the ,canada ,conference with a view to absorb this grant2 that when the ,union was formed1 in #ahcc1 the missions in charge of the ,canada ,conference became the missions of the ,british ,conference1 and were managed by their own ,superintendent2 that the ,canadian ,missionary ,society from that time became a mere auxiliary to the parent ,society in ,england2 that the ,canada ,conference assumed no responsibility in regard to the funds necessary to support these missions2 and that1 in point of fact1 they had cost the ,british ,methodists thousands of dollars over and above any grant received from ,lord ,goderich as part of the general scheme for the support of missionaries in the extended ,british ,colonies4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in concluding these explanations1 adds3-- ,we trust that every reader clearly perceives the unparalleled parliamentary imposition that has been practised upon the public by the ,grievance ,committee1 and their gross insinuations and slanders against the ,methodist ministers4 ,in #ahcf1 the ,report of the ,grievance ,committee came up in the ,house again4 ,on this subject ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson wrote in ,march1 #ahcf1 to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in ,london1 as follows3-- ,the altercations and quarrels which have taken place in the ,assembly this session on the part of ,peter ,perry and ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 especially about the ,grievance ,report1 have raised you much in the estimation of the people4 ,the correctness of your views and statements are now universally acknowledged1 and your defamers deserted by all candid men4 ,political things are looking very favourable at the present time4 ,the extremer of the ,radical party are going down headlong4 ,may a gracious ,providence speed them on their journey6 ,to ,mr4 ,perry1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied fully and explicitly4 ,he said3 ,mr4 ,perry has charged me with departing from my former ground in regard to an ecclesiastical establishment in ,upper ,canada4 ,my editorials and correspondence with ,her ,majesty's ,government will be considered conclusive evidence of the falsity of the charge1 and will again defeat the attempts of the enemies of ,methodism to destroy me and overthrow the ,conference4 ,another cause of attack by ,mr4 ,perry is1 that amongst several other suggestions which ,i took the liberty to offer to ,lord ,glenelg1 ,colonial ,secretary1 was the appointment of a certain gentleman of known popularity to the ,executive ,council4 ,mr4 ,perry seemed to consider himself as a sort of king in ,lennox and ,addington1 and appears to regard it as an infringement upon his sovereign prerogatives that ,i should be stationed so near the borders of his empire as ,kingston4 ,but many of his constituents can bear record whether the object of my ministry was to dethrone ,peter ,perry1 or to break down the power and influence of a much more formidable and important personage--the power of him that ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience4#dg ,march #cjth1 ,london4--,during his stay in ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson had been able to look upon public affairs in ,upper ,canada with more calmness1 and more impartiality1 than when he was there in the midst of them as an actor4 ,in that spirit he1 at this date1 addressed a letter to the ,guardian on what he regarded as an approaching crisis of the highest importance to the ,province4 ,he said3-- ,it is not a mere ephemeral strife of partizanship2 it is a deliberate and bold attempt to change the leading features of the ,constitution--a ,constitution to which allegiance has been sworn1 and to which firm attachment has been over and over again expressed in addresses to the ,governor up to #ahcd4 ,such being the case1 it becomes every man who fears ,god and loves his country to pause1 to think1 to decide4 ,i have told the ,colonial ,secretary1 that whilst the ,methodist ,church asked for nothing but equal and impartial protection1 yet ,i believed the attachment to the ,constitution of the country and to the ,british ,crown1 expressed in petitions and addresses from the ,methodist ,conference and people of ,canada1 to be sincere1 and that they would prove to be so in their future conduct4 ,they had been falsely charged as being ,republicans1 but they had always repudiated this charge as a calumny4 ,nor would they be found among those who1 like ,messrs4 ,peter ,perry and ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 had recently avowed their intention to establish republican elective institutions in the ,province4 ,as to the charges of the ,grievance ,committee party1 ,i can truly say that ,i have never received one farthing of public money from any quarter1 and my humble support to my ,king and country is unsought1 unsolicited1 and spontaneous4 ,may #bast--,london4--,at this date ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote3-- ,during my exile here in ,england ,i have more and more longed for news from ,canada1 and cooling water to the panting hart could not be more refreshing than late intelligence from my dear native land has been to me4 ,i can now listen with an interest and sympathy that ,i never did before1 to the patriotic effusions of the warm-hearted and eloquent ,irishmen1 whom ,i have recently heard1 respecting the first flower of the earth1 the first gem of the sea4 ,the news from ,canada presents to my mind strange contrasts4 ,a few years ago efforts were made to prove that the ,methodist ministers were the salaried hirelings of a foreign republican power4 ,now efforts are being made to persuade the ,canadian public that the same ministers are the salaried hirelings of ,british power1 because they refuse to be identified with men and measures which are revolutionary in their tendencies4 ,our motto is fear ,god and honour the ,king1 and meddle not with them that are given to change4 ,many who were influenced to take part in the former crusade have long since given proof of a better spirit2 so it will be1 ,i trust1 with those who have now been hurried on into the present shameless and malignant opposition1 against a cause which has confessedly been of the highest spiritual and eternal advantage to thousands in ,upper ,canada4 ,i venture to predict that not a few of our partizan adversaries will ere long lament their madness of political idolatry and religious hostility4 ,in the former case1 ,methodism survived1 triumphed1 and prospered2 in the present case1 if we are true to our principles and faithful to our ,god1 ,he will again ,cause the wrath of man to praise ,him1 and restrain the remainder of that wrath4 ,,footnotes3 #dg ,dr4 ,ryerson's reply to ,mr4 ,perry was afterwards reprinted as an election flysheet1 headed ,peter ,perry ,picked to ,pieces by ,egerton ,ryerson1 and circulated broadcast in the counties4 ,it resulted in ,mr4 ,perry being rejected as ,m4,p4,p4 for ,lennox and ,addington in the elections of #ahcf4 7,see ,chapter xxiii47 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 #ahcf-ahcg4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,diary of his ,second ,mission to ,england ,the following is from ,dr4 ,ryerson's diary 7which is incomplete7 giving the result of his experiences and labours in ,england1 during his second mission there4 ,london1 ,january #ast1 #ahcf4--;,i am again in the great metropolis of the ,christian world4 ,my wife and ,i left our native land1 and affectionate pastoral charge1 on the #bjth of ,november1 #ahce1 and arrived here the #cjth of ,december1 after a voyage of tempest and sea-sickness4 ,but to the ,ruler of the winds1 and the ,father of our spirits1 we present our grateful acknowledgments for the preservation of our lives4 ,to our ,heavenly ,father have ,i1 with my dear wife1 presented ourselves at the commencement of this new year4 ,o1 may we through grace keep our vows1 and henceforth abound in every ,christian grace and comfort1 every good word and work6 ,we have been most kindly received by the ,missionary ,secretaries and other brethren2 the prospects appear encouraging for the success of our mission3 another ground of thankfulness1 increased zeal1 and faithfulness4 ,jan4 #bnd4--,called at the ,colonial ,office to present my note of introduction from ,sir ,john ,colborne to ,lord ,glenelg4 ,we were admitted to an interview with ,mr4 7afterwards ,sir ,james7 ,stephen1 ,assistant ,colonial ,secretary1 who promised to present ,sir ,john ,colborne's letter to ,lord ,glenelg1 and inform me when he would receive me4 ,to-day ,i received a call from my kind and excellent friend1 ,rev4 ,john ,hannah1 a thorough scholar1 a profound divine1 an affectionate1 able1 and popular preacher4 ,he heartily welcomed us to the country4 ,jan4 #crd--,sabbath4--,it being the first ,sabbath in the year1 ,i attended that most solemn and important service--the renewal of the covenant4 ,it was conducted by ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bunting1 in a manner the most impressive and affecting ,i ever witnessed4 ,there were but few dry eyes in the chapel4 ,he spoke of the primary design of ,methodism as not to oppose anything but sin--not to subvert existing forms of faith1 but to infuse the vital spirit of primitive ,christianity into them4 ,dr4 ,bunting said that the renewal of the covenant was a service peculiar to ,methodism1 and expatiated on the importance of its being entered upon advisedly1 and in humble dependence upon ,divine grace4 ,after singing1 the whole congregation knelt down1 remaining some time in silent prayer4 ,after ,dr4 ,bunting1 as their mouthpiece1 read the covenant1 all then rose and sang ,the covenant we this moment make1 etc4 ,the ,lord's ,supper was administered to several hundred persons1 and the services concluded with singing and prayer4 ,jan4 #dth4--,i spent the evening at ,rev4 ,mr4 ,alder's1 in company with ,dr4 ,bunting1 ,rev4 ,john ,bowers1 and ,rev4 ,p4 ,l4 ,turner4 ,in conversation1 the religious and general interests of the ,methodist ,connexion were introduced4 ,i was no less edified than delighted with the remarks of ,dr4 ,bunting1 especially those which related to the former distinction between1 and the present confounding of1 supernumerary and superannuated preachers1 and the desirableness of restoring the ancient distinction4 ,he spoke of the experience requisite to1 and evils of general legislation in1 ,church affairs--introducing matters of legislation into ,quarterly ,meetings1 etc4 ,dr4 ,bunting's prayer at parting was deeply spiritual4 ,jan4 #eth4--,spent the day in writing an article for the ,watchman1 on the present state of the ,canadas2 and in drawing up some papers on the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,had a pleasant visit from ,rev4 ,john ,beecham1 one of the ,missionary ,secretaries4 ,jan4 #fth4--,met at the ,mission ,house with ,rev4 ,richard ,reece1 ,president of the ,conference4 ,he is1 ,i believe1 the oldest preacher who has filled the presidential chair since the days of ,wesley4 ,jan4 #ajth1 ,sunday4--,in the morning heard ,rev4 ,mr4 ,cubitt1 and in the evening endeavoured to preach for him4 ,jan4 #acth4--,received a note from ,lord ,glenelg fixing the time when he would receive me4 ,jan4 #adth4--,spent a delightful evening in company with ,rev4 ,john ,hannah and wife1 ,dr4 ,sandwich 7,editor of the ,watchman7 and wife1 and several others4 ,the conversation principally turned upon the learning of the ancients1 and the writings of the early ,protestant ,reformers and their successors4 ,dr4 ,sandwich is a very literary man1 ,mr4 ,hannah an excellent general scholar4 ,jan4 #aeth4--,spent the evening with ,rev4 ,william ,jenkins1 an old superannuated minister1 in company with several friends4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,jenkins are a venerable couple about #hj years of age4 ,jan4 #agth--,sabbath4--,heard the ,hon4 and ,rev4 ,baptist ,noel4 ,the ,church was plain1 the congregation large1 and very attentive and solemn4 ,a large number of school children were present2 the little girls all dressed alike2 they all had prayer and hymn books2 they read the responses and sung with the utmost correctness4 ,in the afternoon we went to that splendid monument of art and wealth--,st4 ,paul's4 ,the sermon was more evangelical than ,i expected4 ,in the evening ,i preached to a very large congregation in ,st4 ,george's ,chapel1 ,commercial ,road4 ,a gracious influence seemed to rest on the congregation4 ,jan4 #bdth--,sabbath4--,preached in the ,hinde-street ,chapel4 ,in ,surrey ,chapel ,i heard ,rev4 ,james ,parsons1 of ,york1 one of the first preachers of the day4 ,surrey ,chapel is the place of the celebrated ,rowland ,hill's protracted ministry4 ,its shape is octagon1 and it will seat #c1jjj persons4 ,the church service was read well by a person of strong1 sonorous voice4 ,at the conclusion of the church service ,mr4 ,parsons ascended the pulpit4 ,his prayer was simple1 unaffected1 and scriptural4 ,his text was ,luke xi4 #dg-dh4 ,his manner was by no means pleasing2 he stood nearly motionless1 and appeared to be reading his sermon4 ,yet attention was riveted2 the current of thought soon began to rise1 and continued to swell1 until he came to a pause4 ,then there was a general burst of coughing2 after which the preacher proceeded in an ascending scale of argument1 until he had his audience entranced1 when he would burst forth upon his captives with the combined authority and tenderness of a conqueror and deliverer1 and press them into the refuge city of ,gospel salvation4 ,jan4 #beth4--,attended a ,missionary-meeting in ,southwark ,chapel4 ,mr4 ,thomas ,farmer1 presided4 ,several spake3 one a ,new ,zealander1 whose wit and oddities amused all1 but profited none4 ,jan4 #bfth4--,had an interview with ,lord ,glenelg1 on the subject of my mission4 ,we can get a charter for the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 but assistance is uncertain4 ,his ,lordship was very courteous and communicative4 ,he thanked me for the information ,i gave him concerning the ,colonies4 ,jan4 #cast1 ,sunday4--,preached twice to-day 7in ,city ,road and ,wilderness ,row74 ,the ,lord was with me1 and ,i believe ,i did not labour in vain4 ,feb4 #acth4--,had an interview with the ,rt4 ,hon4 ,edward ,ellice2 was received with great kindness2 he promised to use his utmost influence to promote the object of my mission at the ,colonial office4 ,feb4 #ahth4--,called at the residences of several of the nobility2 found none at home1 but ,lord ,ashburton1 who gave me #e4 ,feb4 #bjth4--,made no progress in the way of collecting2 much ceremony is necessary4 ,have obtained some useful information1 and written to ,sir ,robert ,peel on the object of my mission4 ,feb4 #bast1 ,sunday4--,heard the ,rev4 ,peter ,mc,owan preach4 ,it was the best sermon ,i have heard from a ,methodist pulpit since my arrival in ,england4 ,i preached in ,great ,queen-street ,chapel in the evening1 on the new birth4 ,i think the ,lord was present to apply the word4 ,feb4 #bbnd4--,called upon ,lord ,kenyon4 ,i was very courteously received2 but ,his ,lordship declined subscribing on account of the many objects to which he contributed in connection with ,america4 ,he expressed his good wishes4 ,i next called upon the ,earl of ,aberdeen--,colonial ,secretary under ,sir ,robert ,peel's government4 ,he expressed himself satisfied with my letters from ,upper ,canada1 but said that he would enquire of ,mr4 ,hay1 late under ,colonial ,secretary1 and directed me to call again4 ,i was also received by ,dr4 ,blomfield1 ,lord ,bishop of ,london4 ,dr4 ,blomfield is a handsome and very courteous man4 ,he declined subscribing on account of its not having been recommended by the ,bishop of the ,diocese2 was not unfriendly to my object2 said he had a high respect for the ,wesleyan body1 and considered they had done much good2 he had expressed this opinion in print4 ,feb4 #bcrd4--,addressed a letter to ,lord ,glenelg requesting an early answer to our application1 stating our pressing circumstances4 ,called upon ,thomas ,baring1 ,esq41 ,m4,p41 who gave me #e4 ,i find it very hard and very slow work to get money4 ,feb4 #bdth4--,received an answer from ,sir ,robert ,peel in the negative4 ,his reason is non-connection with ,upper ,canada6 ,a gentleman of the house of ,thomas ,wilson ,co4 gave utterance to a sentiment which singularly contrasted with the selfishness of ,sir ,robert ,peel4 ,he said3 ,education was the same thing throughout the world1 and that was the light in which this institution should be viewed4 ,his house gave me ten guineas1 and have kindly engaged to furnish me with names of other gentlemen4 ,feb4 #beth4--,obtained #ba for the ,academy4 ,the sentiments expressed by two of the gentlemen on whom ,i called deserve to be recorded4 ,mr4 ,a4 ,gillespie1 jun41 who is connected with ,lower ,canada1 after subscribing #aj and furnishing me with a list of names of merchants engaged in trade with the ,canadas1 said3--,i am a member of the ,church of ,scotland1 but ,i have a high respect for ,john ,wesley and ,dr4 ,bunting4 ,i admire the principles of ,john ,wesley1 and hope you will abide by them1 and that they will be taught in this institution4 ,above all things keep out ,socinianism4 ,i then called on a ,mr4 ,brooking1 who said3--,i feel happy in the opportunity of contributing to such an object4 ,i have been in the ,north ,american provinces and know that nothing is wanted more than good institutions for the education of youth1 and especially under the superintendence of the ,methodists4 ,from what ,i have seen ,i believe they have done more good in the colonies than any other ,church4 ,though ,i am a member of the ,church of ,england1 ,i feel it my duty as a ,protestant1 and a friend to religion1 to give my utmost mite to the labours of your ministers in the colonies4 ,i believe in those new countries the ,methodists are the bulwark of ,protestantism against popery and infidelity1 and ,i am glad you are establishing such an institution4 ,feb4 #bgth4--,received the greatest kindness from ,mr4 ,e4 ,h4 ,chapman1 who was in ,upper ,canada last summer1 and had seen the institution at ,cobourg4 ,he expressed himself happy in the opportunity to subscribe1 and said he had travelled two days with ,sir ,john ,colborne4 ,mr4 ,chapman considered1 of all people1 the ,methodists the most active and successful in imparting religious instruction to the ,colonists4 ,feb4 #bhth--,sabbath4--,preached at ,islington2 then dined with a ,mr4 ,brunskill1 who was well versed in the history of ,methodism4 ,from this date until the close of ,july there is no record in ,dr4 ,ryerson's diary4 ,from letters written by him to ,canada1 ,i therefore continue the narrative3-- ,birmingham1 ,april #aath4--,during a delightful visit here at the missionary anniversaries ,i had an opportunity of hearing and conversing with two of the most remarkable men of the present day3 ,william 7or1 as he is called1 ,billy7 ,dawson1 the ,yorkshire farmer1 and the venerable ,gideon ,ousley1 the patriarchal ,irish missionary4 ,mr4 ,dawson excelled in his own characteristic way any man ,i ever heard4 ,his great strength lies in a matchless power of graphic description1 dramatic imitation1 and hallowed unction from the ,holy ,one4 ,he is a man of an age4 ,at the missionary breakfast ,i sat beside the venerable ,ousley1 and told him of some of his spiritual children in ,canada that ,i knew4 ,he gave ,god the praise1 and desired me to deliver this message to his old friends and spiritual children in ,canada3 ,i am now in my #geth year1 labouring as hard as ever2 am well1 and strong4 ,be faithful unto death4 ,i will meet you in ,heaven4 ,london1 ,june #hth4--,to-day my brethren are assembling in ,annual ,conference at ,belleville4 ,it is the first conference in the proceedings of which1 ,i have not been permitted to take a part since ,i entered the ministry4 ,a considerable part of the day ,i spent in imploring the divine blessing upon the deliberations of my brethren4 ,after reckoning the difference of time1 ,i retired at the hour when ,i knew they would be engaged in the conference prayer-meeting in order to unite with them at the throne of the ,heavenly grace2 and truly1 ,i found it refreshing indeed to be present in spirit with them in beseeching the continual direction of the ,divine ,pilot to guide the ,wesleyan ship over the tempestuous sea4 ,i long to be with my fellow-labourers in ,canada in their toils as well as joys4 ,if ,i forget thee1 ,o thou ,spiritual ,jerusalem of my native land1 let my right hand forget its cunning1 and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth4 ,peace be within thy walls1 and prosperity within thy palaces6 ,june #abth4--,although ,i find that collecting for the ,upper ,canada ,academy is a wearisome work1 yet ,i must not slacken my exertions so long as our friends in ,upper ,canada are in such straits for funds4 ,brother ,john has written me an urgent letter from ,hallowell1 in which he says3--,i hope the ,lord will give you good success in collecting for our ,seminary4 ,everything depends on the success of your exertions4 #d1jjj is the least that will answer4 ,o1 how awfully we have got involved in this painful and protracted business6 ,o1 if you can help us out of this mire1 the ,lord reward you6 ,i am greatly at a loss what to do4 ,i had concluded to leave1 and go to the ,states2 but thought ,i had better wait your return and take counsel with you4 ,i hope the ,lord may direct me6 ,dublin1 ,july #bnd4--,i have just come over here to the ,irish ,conference1 and was affectionately received by the ,irish preachers4 ,while in ,dublin ,i stayed with a very intelligent and kind family4 ,i attended the ,irish ,conference1 which was held in ,whitefriar's ,street ,chapel--a building rented for a preaching-place by the venerable ,wesley himself4 ,here in the midst of the sallies of ,irish wit and humour1 mingled with evident piety and kindness1 ,i sat down and wrote a letter to the dear friends in ,canada4 ,from this letter ,i make an extract3-- ,the preachers are warm-hearted1 pious men1 some of them very clever2 warm in their discussions1 abounding in wit2 talk much in doing their business2 several are sometimes up at a time4 ,they are certainly a body of excellent men4 ,in their financial reports it appears that many of them are really examples of self-denial1 suffering1 and devotion4 ,the following are extracts from ,dr4 ,ryerson's diary3-- ,july #bfth4--,attended the ,conference at ,birmingham4 ,when ,dr4 ,fisk was introduced1 the address of the ,american ,general ,conference was read4 ,silence and attention were marked until the words negro slavery were mentioned1 when there was a general cry of hear1 hear1 and no1 no1 no4 ,during the ,conference a ,mr4 ,robinson was called upon to explain his reason for preaching to a secret society called ,odd ,fellows4 ,dr4 ,bunting and ,dr4 ,newton had always refused to preach to such societies4 ,dr4 ,fisk made some remarks on ,masonry in the ,united ,states1 and the evil of the ,methodist preachers being connected with1 or countenancing1 such societies4 ,sept4 #bnd4--,presented to ,lord ,glenelg the ,address1 to the ,king1 of the ,canadian ,conference4 ,he read it carefully1 and expressed himself pleased with it4 ,he enquired as to the charges against ,sir ,francis ,head1 and the appointment of those persons only to office who are truly attached to the ,british ,constitution4 ,i answered his lordship on each of these points mentioned1 and assured him of the loyal ,british feelings of the inhabitants of ,upper ,canada4 ,i pressed upon him the importance of an early settlement of the ,clergy ,reserve question4 ,his lordship thanked me for the communications which ,i had from time to time made to him on ,canadian affairs4 ,he requested me to write to him on any matter1 relative to the ,canadas1 ,i thought proper4 ,sept4 #dth--,sunday4--,attended the ,hon4 and ,rev4 ,baptist ,noel's ,church at #h a4m41 when he administered the ,lord's ,supper to such as could not attend at any other hour4 ,i communed for the first time in the ,established ,church4 ,i heard this evangelical minister preach at #aa a4m4 ,preached myself in ,spitalfields in the evening4 ,sept4 #fth4--,came here 7,birmingham7 from ,london on a collecting tour4 ,have been kindly received by my ,quaker friends1 the ,sturges4 ,in commemoration of the first ,wesleyan ,conference being held in ,birmingham1 gold medals were presented to ,dr4 ,bunting and ,dr4 ,newton1 and silver medals to representatives of other ,conferences--the ,irish and ,american4 ,my name as representative not having been received in time for a presentation at ,conference1 a medal was subsequently presented to me as ,canadian representative1 and to ,rev4 ,richard ,reece1 ex-,president1 by the ladies of the ,society in ,birmingham4 ,the addresses on the occasion were made by the ,president and ,secretary--that to ,mr4 ,reece in a few choice words by ,dr4 ,bunting2 and to me1 in a kindly manner1 by ,dr4 ,newton4 ,in reply ,i acknowledged the unexpected compliment1 not as paid to me1 but to the country and connexion which ,i represented4 ,sept4 #gth4--,have been kindly received by the preachers in ,birmingham4 ,spent a pleasant evening at ,mr4 ,oldham's 7son-in-law of ,rev4 ,john ,ryland71 where ,i met no less than six clergymen of the ,established ,church2 the conversation was wholly of a religious character1 perfectly free and social4 ,i was informed that all the clergymen in ,birmingham1 except one1 were truly evangelical4 ,mr4 ,ryland told me that ,rev4 ,j4 ,a4 ,james had expressed his conviction that there is decidedly more piety amongst the mass of the ,established ,clergy than among the ,dissenting ,clergy4 ,it was altogether the most unaffectedly genteel1 and truly religious party ,i have met with in ,england4 ,sept4 #ith4--,busy and successful4 ,very kindly received by the following ,church of ,england ministers1 viz41 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,mosely1 ,rector1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,jeune afterwards ,master of ,pembroke ,college1 and ,rev4 ,william ,marsh1 who is frequently called the model of the ,apostle ,john1 on account of the depth and sweetness of his piety1 the purity of his life1 and the heavenly expression of his countenance4 ,his daughter is a noted evangelist and writer1 #ahhc4 ,sept4 #ajth4--,took tea with ,mr4 ,meredith1 a ,swedenborgian1 upwards of #hj1 perfectly sincere in his belief1 and sweet in his spirit4 ,also met the celebrated ,dr4 ,philip1 of ,south ,africa1 and the more celebrated ,john ,angel ,james1 of ,birmingham4 ,the conversation of the evening was principally turned upon the means by which the great measure of emancipation was carried--the conduct of ,mr4 ,stanley and ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,i was struck with ,mr4 ,sturge's remark1 that he believed such men as ,sir ,a4 ,agnew1 ,sir ,harry ,inglis1 and ,lord ,ashley now1 in #ahhc1 ,lord ,shaftesbury1 were the most honest men in the ,house of ,commons4 ,sheffield1 ,sept4 #agth4--,here ,i met with my old friends1 ,revs4 ,messrs4 ,marsden1 ,grindrod1 and ,moss4 ,sept4 #ahth--,sunday4--,preached in ,craven street ,chapel in the morning1 and at ,brunswick ,chapel in the evening4 ,sept4 #bjth4--,attended the ,financial ,district ,meeting4 ,it was stated that #ijj persons had seceded in ,sheffield in the ,kilhamite schism1 and yet the finances were better at the end of the quarter than they had been the preceding one4 ,kind references were made to myself1 and the object of my mission4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,diary ends here4 ,from his letters to ,canada ,i make the following extracts3-- ,sheffield1 ,oct4 #eth4--,i was in ,barnsley on ,friday and ,saturday2 went to ,wakefield on ,saturday1 and preached there on ,sunday4 ,addressed about #dj circulars to gentlemen in ,wakefield on ,monday morning4 ,returned to ,sheffield and spoke at the ,missionary ,meeting2 begged yesterday2 spoke at the adjourned meeting last evening2 have been begging to-day4 ,spent ,friday and ,saturday in ,wakefield2 go to ,leeds on ,saturday evening1 and so on4 ,the preachers and friends shew me all possible kindness and attention4 ,the ,yorkshire people are very warm-hearted and social4 ,methodism there presents an aspect different in several respects from that which it presents in ,london1 or in any other part of ,england ,i have visited2 more warm1 energetic1 and unaffected--something like ,hallowell ,methodism in ,upper ,canada4 ,oh6 ,i long to get home to my circuit work4 ,amidst all the kindness and interest that it is possible for piety1 intelligence1 ,yorkshire generosity and wit to impart1 ,i feel like an exiled captive here in ,england4 ,bradford1 ,oct4 #ajth4--,the time ,i am here appears very dreary1 as ,i am from morning until midnight in public labours or society of some kind4 ,i have collected #hc last week1 and for much of it ,i have begged very hard--though some think that ,i do not beg hard enough4 ,it is1 however1 only one who has been a stranger and had to beg1 that can fully appreciate the feelings and embarrassments of a stranger in such circumstances4 ,this work and sacrifice have not been of my own seeking--but against my seeking4 ,i was comfortably settled amongst kind friends in ,kingston1 but am now cast forth in this distant land1 and engaged in the most disagreeable of all employments1--and for what8 ,oh6 it is for the sake of ,him to whose cause and glory ,i have consecrated my life and all4 ,i shall love1 honour1 and value my pastoral labours more than ever4 ,i hope that they may be more useful4 ,during the past week ,i have been enabled more fully than for a year past to adopt the language of ,st4 ,paul4 ,gal4 ii4 #bj4 ,oct4 #aath4--,while here ,i was truly gratified to receive a letter from ,miss ,clarissa ,izard1 of ,boulogne 7,france71 in which she says3--,i trust you will pardon me1 sir1 for this expression of my gratitude4 ,if it had not been for a sermon preached by you on the #bast of ,february last1 ,i might have been where hope never cometh2 but1 blessed be ,god1 now ,i have a hope--a hope which lifts me above this world1 and which1 ,i trust1 ,i shall retain until ,i obtain the crown of righteousness which fadeth not away4 ,among the many pleasing incidents in ,dr4 ,ryerson's otherwise unpleasant duty of collecting funds for the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 was the note written from ,kensington ,palace by command of ,her ,royal ,highness the ,duchess of ,kent4 ,it was as follows3-- ,i am commanded by the ,duchess of ,kent to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the #bbnd inst41 and accompanying statement of ,the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 for the education of ,canadian youth1 and the most promising youth of converted ,indian tribes--to prepare them for school-masters4 ,her ,royal ,highness is most happy in patronizing1 as you request1 so useful and benevolent an ,institution1 and calculated especially to promote the best interests of the native population1 the ,british emigrants1 and the aboriginal tribes of that valuable and important ,british ,province4 ,her ,royal ,highness desires that her name be placed on the subscription list for #aj4 ,referring to the great importance of the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 and to the services rendered by ,dr4 ,ryerson in connection with its establishment1 ,rev4 ,william ,lord said3-- ,there have been many circumstances and occurrences connected with this institution which1 to my mind1 are indicative of ,providential interference4 ,the bitterness manifested against it by the enemies of ,methodism and of the peace of the country2 the difficulties which stood in the way of its completion2 the distressing1 overwhelming1 and unforseen embarrassments of its funds1 which forced the ,committee to send you to this country to seek relief1 just at a time when the affairs of the ,province had arrived at a crisis1 and at a time when you could render special service1 by communicating with the ,home ,government--service1 allow me to say1 greater than any other man could render1 or than you could have rendered at any other time or place--the favourable turn which public affairs have recently taken1 and1 ,i know1 in some degree through your instrumentality2 the perplexing and most painful disappointments experienced in obtaining suitable teachers1 now happily overcome2 the share of public favour which the ,academy has obtained on the commencement of its operations2 and1 lastly1 the great services you have rendered the ,missionary ,society1 in the advantage you have secured to our ,indian ,missionaries by your representations and applications to the ,government1 are to me reasons for believing ,god is in this business4 ,you may1 ,i think1 take courage1 and go on in the name of the ,lord4 ,i can sympathize with you2 ,i have also suffered in this cause4 ,i would not endure the anxiety and mental agony ,i have experienced on account of this institution for any earthly consideration4 ,but if it flourish1 ,i have my reward4 ,and now the reflection that1 at much personal risk1 ,i have more than once saved innocent and deserving men from imprisonment1 and ,methodism from indelible reproach1 is cheering and consoling4 ,i will still stand by your side and share in your difficulties4 ,my honour in this matter is united with yours1 and the ruin of this institution will be mine4 ,in a letter from ,london1 dated #bast ,july1 #ahcf1 ,dr4 ,ryerson narrates the difficulties which he had encountered in obtaining a ,charter for the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,the correspondence with the ,colonial ,office embraced twenty-nine letters1 and extended over a period of six months4 ,in conducting it1 ,dr4 ,ryerson states3--,i found those in the ,colonial ,office1 and those who retired from it 7during that time7 equally favourable to the object of my mission1 and equally desirous of promoting the best interests of the ,colonies4 ,in his report of the negotiations for the ,charter1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3-- ,the ,attorney-,general assured me that not only ,lord ,glenelg1 but every member of ,his ,majesty's ,government was anxious to accede to my application--that the difficulties were purely legal--that though the doctrines and rules of the ,methodist body in ,canada were doubtless very sacred1 yet they were unknown in law1 7in ,england47 ,i1 therefore1 laid before the ,crown officers#dh a copy of the statutes of ,upper ,canada 7which ,i had borrowed from the ,colonial office71 and showed the grounds on which we professed to be invested with the clerical character by the statutes of the ,province1 as well as by the formularies of our connexion1 and were recognized as ministers by the ,courts of ,quarter ,sessions2 that we might be defined as ministers 7for the purposes of the ,charter7 as in the ,marriage ,statute of ,u4,c41 which would be the same thing as being defined according to the ,rules of our ,discipline4 ,placing the question before the ,crown officers in this simple light1 their scruples were at once removed1 and they cordially acceded to my proposition to recognize our ministerial character4 ,as ,i was required to name in the ,charter the first trustees and visitors1 and as ,i had no list of those who had been appointed by the ,conference1 ,i was obliged to furnish names myself4 ,i was also required to name in the ,charter the time and place of the next ,annual ,meeting 7,conference7 of ,ministers4 ,i inserted the second ,wednesday of ,june as the time of meeting2 ,cobourg1 or ,toronto1 as the place of meeting4 ,with the aid of a professional gentleman 7whom ,i could only get for a small portion of each day7 the draft of ,charter was prepared after a delay of five weeks4 ,this draft was approved1 with the exception of the words3 ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church1 for which the ,solicitor-,general had substituted the words3 ,wesleyan ,methodist ,connexion1 as the designation of the ,body on whose behalf a ,charter was to be granted4 ,in a letter to ,sir ,george ,grey ,i stated my reasons why the word ,church should be retained1 as the ,wesleyan ministers1 under whose superintendence the ,academy is to be placed1 had been licensed 7under the ,provincial ,statute referred to in the ,charter7 as ,ministers of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,canada4 ,to these reasons the ,crown ,officers yielded1 and thus the ,charter was completed4 ,i then renewed my application for receiving aid from the ,casual and ,territorial ,revenue of ,upper ,canada4 ,in reply1 ,i was assured that the ,lieutenant-,governor would be directed to bring the claims of the ,academy before the notice of the ,provincial ,legislature4 ,dr4 ,ryerson concludes3-- ,thus terminated this protracted correspondence of more than six months1 during the whole of which time ,i was enabled to cleave to and maintain my original purpose2 though ,i had to encounter successive1 discouraging1 and almost insurmountable difficulties4 ,not having been able to effect any loan from private individuals1 on account of the agitated state of the ,canadas--being in suspense as to the result of my application to the ,government1 ,i was several months pressed down with anxiety and fear by this suspense1 and by reason of the failure of my efforts to obtain relief4 ,in this anxiety and fear my own unassisted resolution and fortitude could not sustain me4 ,i had to rely upon the unfailing support of the ,lord1 my ,god4 ,in my negotiations for the ,charter1 ,i was uniformly treated with courtesy and kindness in the ,colonial office1 and by the several members of ,his ,majesty's ,government4 ,praise ,god6 ,in a letter written to ,dr4 ,alder1 after ,dr4 ,ryerson had returned from ,england1 the latter said3-- ,we have not yet received a farthing of the ,government grant to our ,academy4 ,the ,governor's reply still is1 there is no money in the treasury2 but he has given us his written promise1 and offered his word to any of the banks1 that it shall be paid out of the first money which had not been previously appropriated4 ,but1 strange to say1 there is not a bank or banker in ,upper ,canada that will take the ,governor's promise for #ajj4 ,mr4 ,receiver-,general ,dunn kindly lent1 out of his own pocket1 to my brother ,john1 about #a1bjj for the ,academy1 upon my brother's receipt1 remarking at the same time that he did it upon his credit1 and out of respect to the ,methodists1 but that he could place no dependence upon the word of ,sir ,francis in the matter4 ,we are thus pressed to beg or borrow in relation to the ,academy as much as ever1 or even worse1 for several of us are individually responsible for #b1bjj1 besides ,mr4 ,farmer's loan of #hjj4 ,at our recent ,academy ,board ,meeting1 the damages of ,mr4 ,lord's protested bills came under consideration4 ,the circumstances of the case are briefly as follows3--,mr4 ,lord's sincere desire and zeal to promote the interests of the ,institution and ,connexion generally1 were admitted and appreciated by all the brethren2 but it appears1 #a4 ,that a large portion of the debts were incurred in compliance with the advice of ,mr4 ,lord1 and in consequence of his influence as the representative of the ,british ,connexion4 ,he assured the ,sub-,committee at ,cobourg that money should be forthcoming1 and if necessary he would go to ,england and beg it1 that ,john ,bull never stopped when he commenced a thing1 etc42 that ,mr4 ,lord did that contrary to the recommendation of the ,conference ,committee1 and against the advice and even remonstrance of the ,chairman of the ,district 7,john ,ryerson71 who had been appointed by the ,conference to see that the ,sub-,committee should not exceed the appropriations of the ,conference1 as they had done in former years4 #b4 ,the premises were mortgaged to ,mr4 ,lord as security for the sum of #bejj1 some of which has not been advanced1 and the payments of which he did advance were provided for 7with the exception of two or three hundred pounds7 by the brethren in this ,province4 #c4 ,after ,mr4 ,lord received information from the ,committee in ,london that his bills would not be honoured1 he called a meeting of the ,board--stated his difficulties--got individuals to allow him to draw upon them to meet the bills on their return1 and sent me to ,england4 #d4 ,mr4 ,lord assured our ,conference at ,belleville1 ,june1 #ahcf1 that the brethren here would never be called upon to pay a farthing of the damages for non-payment of his bills4 ,i believe that no man could feel more earnestly desirous to promote the interests of the ,canadian ,connexion in every respect than he did4 ,it is also the full conviction of our leading brethren that had ,i attended the ,american ,general ,conference1 instead of being in ,england1 such an arrangement would have been made as to have secured to our ,connexion what was due us from the ,new ,york ,book ,concern--which amounts to more than ,i obtained in ,england1 besides the mortification and mental suffering which ,i experienced in my most unpleasant engagements1 notwithstanding the sympathy and never-to-be-forgotten kindness of many of my fathers and brethren of the parent ,connexion4 ,,footnotes3 #dh ,sir ,j4 ,campbell1 afterwards ,chief ,justice1 and ,sir ,r4 ,m4 ,rolfe1 afterwards a ,baron of the ,exchequer4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 #ahcf4 ,publication of ,the ,hume and ,roebuck ,letters4 ,in a letter from ,london1 dated #bith ,april1 #ahcf1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,this day week ,i went to the ,house of ,commons to hear the debates on the motions relative to the ,canadas1 of which ,messrs4 ,roebuck and ,hume had given notice4 ,as ,mr4 ,roebuck was about to bring forward his motion1 the ,house of #bjb members thinned to #ej or #fj members4 ,under these circumstances he postponed it for a week1 in the hope that a sufficient number of members would give him an opportunity to make a speech in return for the #a1ajj a year paid to him as ,agent of the poor and oppressed ,canadians4 ,when ,mr4 ,hume brought forward his motion there were only #dc members present4 ,i thought how much ,canada was benefitted by such men who could only command the attention of #ej out of the #feh members of the ,house of ,commons6 ,i know not a man more disliked and despised by all parties in the ,house than is ,mr4 ,roebuck--a man who has been employed to establish 7as he says in one of his letters to ,mr4 ,papineau7 a pure democracy in the ,canadas4 ,one of the serious drawbacks to the credit and interests of our country1 amongst public and business men of all parties in ,england1 is their supposed connection with such a restless political cynic as ,mr4 ,roebuck1 and such an acknowledged and avowed colonial separationist as ,mr4 ,hume4 ,in regard to these proceedings of ,messrs4 ,hume and ,roebuck1 ,dr4 ,ryerson writes1 in this part of the ,story of his ,life1 as follows3-- ,it was during the early part of #ahcf that ,i was accosted by almost every gentleman to whom ,i was introduced in ,england with words1 ,you in ,canada are going to separate from ,england1 and set up a republic for yourselves6 ,i denied that there was any such feeling among the people of ,canada1 who desired certain reforms1 and redress of grievances1 but were as loyal as any people in ,england4 ,after the ,canadian elections of #ahcf1 ,dr4 ,charles ,duncombe 7afterwards leader of the rebels in the ,county of ,oxford7 came to ,england1 the bearer of petitions got up by ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie and his partizans and crammed ,mr4 ,hume to make a formidable assault upon the ,british ,canadian ,government4 ,in presenting the ,canadian petition ,mr4 ,hume made an elaborate speech1 full of exaggerations and mis-statements from beginning to end4 ,i was requested to take a seat under the gallery1 and1 while ,mr4 ,hume was speaking as the mouth-piece of ,dr4 ,c4 ,duncombe1 ,i furnished ,lord ,sandon and ,mr4 ,w4 ,e4 ,gladstone with the materials for answers to ,mr4 ,hume's mis-statements4 ,mr4 ,gladstone's quick perception1 with ,lord ,sandon's promptings1 kept the ,house in a roar of laughter at ,mr4 ,hume's expense for more than an hour2 the wonder being how ,mr4 ,gladstone was so thoroughly informed on ,canadian affairs4 ,no member of the ,house of ,commons seemed to be more astonished and confounded than ,mr4 ,hume himself4 ,he made no reply1 and1 as far as ,i know1 never after spoke on ,canadian affairs2 and ,mr4 ,roebuck soon ceased to be ,agent for the ,lower ,canada ,house of ,assembly4 ,he has since become an ultra ,conservative6 ,in a letter from ,london1 dated #ast ,june1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3-- ,before ,dr4 ,duncombe arrived in ,england1 and seeing how much injury was being done to the reputation and influence of ,canada by these representations1 ,i commenced a series of letters in the ,london ,times1 designed to expose the machinations and mis-statements of ,messrs4 ,hume and ,roebuck in ,england1 in regard to matters in ,upper ,canada1 showing from their own letters to ,messrs4 ,papineau and ,mackenzie that they were the first prompters of the project4#di ,to-day ,i also addressed a letter to ,sir ,george ,grey1 ,under-,secretary for the ,colonies1 on the political crisis in that ,province4 ,after discussing several matters relating to the recent election of a new ,house of ,assembly1 ,i concluded as follows3--,as the affairs of the ,province will now be taken into consideration by ,his ,majesty's ,government1 there are three subjects on which ,i would respectfully request an interview with ,lord ,glenelg1 yourself1 and ,mr4 ,sir ,james ,stephen4 #a4 ,the ,clergy ,reserve question--a plan to meet the circumstances of the ,province1 and yet not deprive the clergy of the ,church of ,england of an adequate support4 #b4 ,the ,legislative ,council--how it may be rendered more influential and popular1 without rendering it elective1 or infringing 7but rather strengthening7 the prerogatives of the ,crown4 #c4 ,the ,executive--how its just authority1 influence and popularity may be promoted and established1 so as to prevent the occurrence of that embarrassment in which it is now involved1 not from improper acts1 but from an actual deficiency of the requisite operative means to secure the ,royal ,prerogative from insult and invasion4 ,i am aware that each of these subjects is surrounded with difficulty1 and that no plan proposed will be entirely free from objection1 but ,i should like to state the views which my acquaintance with the ,province has impressed on my own mind1 and which ,i have not seen suggested in any official document or public journal1 but which have been favourably thought of by two or three respectable gentlemen connected with ,canada1 to whom ,i have stated them4 ,in reply1 ,lord ,glenelg appointed the following ,monday for the desired interview4 ,i afterwards embodied the substance of my views in a letter to ,sir ,george ,grey4 ,no further reference is made to this interview by ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,but in a letter from him1 dated #bast ,july1 he says3-- ,i was applied to1 and did1 in my individual capacity1 communicate to the ,colonial ,secretary frequently1 and in one or two instances at great length1 on the posture of ,canadian affairs2 and the parties and principal questions which have divided and agitated the ,canadian public4 ,i repeatedly received the thanks of the ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 for the pains which ,i had taken in these matters2 but what influence my communications may have had1 or may have1 on the policy of ,his ,majesty's ,government towards the ,canadas is not for me to say1 as ,i desired ,lord ,glenelg not to assume1 prima facie1 as correct1 any of my representations1 but to examine my authorities--to weigh my arguments--to hear what could be said by others--as ,i had no friends to recommend to office1 and no personal interests to promote1 only the religious and general peace and prosperity of the ,canadas1 and the maintenance of a firm and mutually beneficial connection between these ,colonies and the parent ,state4 ,i think ,i have good reason to believe that much more correct and decided views are entertained by ,his ,majesty's ministers and many public men in ,england1 in respect to the interests and government of the ,canadas1 than were possessed by them six months ago2 and that all of those inhabitants of the ,colonies1 who patriotically maintain their ,christian and constitutional allegiance1 will ensure the respect1 equal and firm protection1 and parental regard of their ,sovereign and his government1 by whatever party it may be administered4 ,in a letter from ,london1 dated #bfth ,july 7page #aed71 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3--,mr4 ,william ,lunn1 of ,montreal1 has just arrived from ,quebec4 ,he informs me that-- ,my letters to the ,london ,times1 on ,hume and ,roebuck1 have produced the most amazing effect upon the public mind of the ,province1 of anything that ,i ever wrote4 ,to the ,lord be all the praise for his great goodness1 after all our toil and suffering4 ,there is nothing like integrity of principle and faithfulness in duty1 in humble dependence upon the ,lord1 and with an eye to ,his glory6 ,,footnotes3 #di ,the ,british ,north ,american ,association of ,merchants had these letters reprinted from ,the ,times newspaper1 and a copy sent to each member of ,parliament1 both of the ,lords and ,commons4 ,they were signed1 ,a ,canadian4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 #ahcf-ahcg4 ,important ,events ,transpiring in ,upper ,canada4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was absent in ,england from #bjth ,november1 #ahce1 to #abth ,june1 #ahcg4 ,on the #aeth of ,january1 #ahcf1 ,sir ,john ,colborne1 by order in ,council1 endowed fifty-seven ,rectories in ,upper ,canada out of the ,clergy ,reserve ,lands4 ,on the #bcrd of that month ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head1 the new ,governor1 arrived in ,toronto4 ,on the #adth of ,january following1 he opened the ,session of the ,legislature4 ,what followed was reported to ,dr4 ,ryerson by his friend1 ,mr4 ,s4 ,s4 ,junkin1 in a letter1 dated1 ,toronto1 #ast ,may3-- ,our ,parliament was prorogued on the #bjth ,april1 after such a session as was never before known in ,upper ,canada4 ,you will form some idea of the state of affairs when ,i tell you that it stopped the supplies1 and the ,governor reserved all of the money bills1 7twelve7--including that for the contingences of the ,house1--for the ,king's pleasure4 ,the immediate cause of the rupture between the new ,governor 7,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head7 and the ,house of ,assembly-- ,arose out of the resignation of the ,executive ,council4 ,on the #bjth ,february1 the ,governor 7as directed by ,lord ,glenelg7 added three ,reformers to his ,council1 viz43 ,messrs4 ,robert ,baldwin1 ,john ,rolph1 and ,john ,henry ,dunn4 ,on the #dth ,march1 these gentlemen and the ,conservative members1 7,messrs4 ,peter ,robinson1 ,george ,h4 ,markland1 and ,joseph ,wells7 resigned4 ,they complained that they were held responsible for measures which they never advised1 and for a policy to which they were strangers4 ,in reply the ,governor stated in substance that he alone was responsible for the acts of his government1 and was at liberty to have resource to their advice only when he required it2 but that to consult them on all questions would be utterly impossible4 ,this answer was referred to a ,committee of the ,house of ,assembly1 which brought in a report censuring the ,governor in the strongest terms4 ,on the #adth ,march1 ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head appointed ,messrs4 ,r4 ,b4 ,sullivan1 ,william ,allan1 ,augustus ,baldwin1 and ,john ,elmsley1 as his new ,executive ,council4 ,on the #agth the ,house declared its entire want of confidence in the new ,council1 and stated that in retaining them the ,governor violated the instructions of the ,colonial ,secretary to the ,governor1 to appoint ,councillors who possessed the confidence of the people4 ,much recrimination followed2 at length ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head dissolved the ,house1 and directed that a new election be held4 ,in regard to this election1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism 7page #bbf7 says3-- ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head adroitly turned the issue1 not on the question of the ,clergy ,reserves1 or of other practical questions1 but on the question of connection with the mother country1 and of ,republicanism vs4 ,monarchy1 as had been recommended by ,messrs4 ,hume and ,roebuck1 and advocated by ,messrs4 ,mackenzie and ,papineau4 ,this was successful1 inasmuch as those ,reformers who would not disavow their connection with ,messrs4 ,mackenzie1 ,hume and ,roebuck1 lost their election2 for though not more than half a dozen had any sympathy with the sentiments of ,messrs4 ,hume1 ,roebuck1 ,papineau1 and ,mackenzie1 they did not wish to break the unity of the ,reform party by repudiating them1 and suffered defeat in consequence at the elections4 ,the successful candidates1 generally1 while they repudiated ,republican separation from the mother country1 promised fidelity to the oft-expressed and well-known wishes of the people in the settlement of the ,clergy ,reserve question1 which1 however1 they failed to fulfil4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 from ,hallowell1 his brother ,william said3-- ,our loyal address1 a very moderate one1 to the ,governor1 was carried unanimously--all the young ,preachers on trial being allowed to vote on that occasion4 ,this is equally gratifying and surprising to all the friends of ,british supremacy4 ,a gentleman from ,montreal1 who was present1 was so surprised1 and ,i may say1 delighted1 that he could hardly contain himself4 ,i did not know for a short time1 but he would be constrained from the violence of his feeling to jump up and shout4 ,the ,conference also adopted a very good address to the ,king4 7,see page #afb47 ,we are on the eve of a new election4 ,the excitement through the country at large exceeds anything ,i have ever known4 ,there would be very little cause for doubt or fear as to the results1 were it not for one of the last acts of ,sir ,john ,colborne's administration1 in establishing and endowing nearly sixty ,rectories4 ,knowing1 as ,i do1 that the public mind is strongly opposed to any measure of that sort1 or any step towards legalizing a church establishment1 yet ,i could not believe the feeling was so strong as it actually is4 ,if the elections should turn out disastrously to the best interest of the country1 the result can only be attributed to that unjust and most unpolitic act4 ,we are willing to do all that we consistently can1 but everywhere the rectory question meets us4 ,while ,i am compelled to believe that a vast majority are devotedly loyal to our gracious ,sovereign1 yet the best and most affectionate subjects of the ,king would almost prefer revolution to the establishment of a dominant ,church thus sought to be imposed on us4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 from ,toronto1 his brother ,john says3-- ,the late elections agitated the ,societies very much in some places1 but they are now settling down to quietness and assurance4 ,i hope that the worst of the storm is over4 ,the ,governor is a talented man1 but very little magisterial dignity about him4 ,he takes good care to let every one know that he esteems every day alike1 travelling on ,sabbaths the same as other days4 ,indeed he seems to have no idea of religion at all1 but is purely a man of pleasure4 ,his popularity will soon be upon the wane if he does not mend in these respects4 ,the friends in ,kingston are very anxiously looking for your return1 and are becoming quite discontented and out of patience4 ,they complained bitterly to me of your long absence1 and were anxious to have me stay with them until you return4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 #ahcg-ahci4 ,return to ,canada4--,the ,chapel ,property ,cases4 ,in this part of the ,story of his life1 ,dr4 ,ryerson has only left the following sentence3--,at the ,conference held after my return to ,canada1 in ,june1 ,i declined re-election as ,editor of the ,christian ,guardian1 having promised my ,kingston brethren1 from whom ,i had been suddenly removed in ,november1 #ahce1 that ,i would remain with them at least one year on my return from ,england4 ,after ,conference1 ,dr4 ,ryerson 7with ,rev4 ,e4 ,healy7 attended as a deputation to the ,black ,river ,conference4 ,he said3-- ,the ,conference was presided over by ,bishop ,hedding1 who1 in strong and affecting language1 expressed his feelings of respect and love for our ,connexion in ,canada4 ,in reply1 ,i reiterated the expression of our profound respect and affection for our honoured friend and father in the ,gospel2 by the imposition of whose hands1 ,i1 and several other brethren in ,canada1 have been set apart to the ,holy ,ministry4 ,after my return to ,kingston1 brother ,healy and ,i received from the ,black ,river ,conference a complimentary resolution in regard to our visit4 ,in enclosing it to me1 ,rev4 ,jesse ,t4 ,peck1 the ,secretary afterwards ,bishop1 said3--,allow me humbly1 but earnestly1 to beg a continuance of that friendship with you1 which in its commencement has afforded me so much pleasure4 ,in ,august of this year1 #ahcg1 the celebrated trial of the ,waterloo ,chapel case#ej took place before ,mr4 ,justice ,macaulay1 at the ,kingston ,assizes1 and a verdict was given against the ,wesleyan ,methodists4 ,it was subsequently appealed to the ,court of ,king's ,bench1 at ,toronto4 ,three elaborate judgments were delivered on the case4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson was a good deal exercised as to the ill effects1 upon the connexional church property1 of ,judge ,macaulay's adverse decision4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 he said3-- ,we are much troubled and perplexed1 here in ,toronto1 about the ,waterloo ,chapel case4 ,i saw the ,attorney-,general on the subject to-day4 ,when ,judge ,macaulay's judgment is published1 ,i hope you will carefully review the whole matter1 and lay the thing before the public in such a way as to produce conviction4 ,everybody is inquiring whether or not you will take up the subject4 ,an appeal was made to the ,king's ,bench at ,toronto4 ,this ,court-- ,set aside the verdict of the lower ,court1 and ordered a new trial4444 ,at this second trial1 as also that respecting the ,belleville ,church property case1 ,november1 #ahcg1 444 the whole matter was ventilated1 and the result was that the legal decision of the highest judicial tribunal of the land confirmed the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church as the rightful owner of the ,church property1 it being the true representative and successor of the original ,methodist ,episcopal ,church in ,canada4 ,these litigations extended over more than two years1 and the friends of ,zion and of peace greatly rejoiced when they were brought to a just and final settlement4 7,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pages #bgh1 #bgi47 ,in regard to these three judgments on the case1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,during the latter part of this month ,i have devoted such time as ,i could spare to a lengthened review for the ,guardian1 of the elaborate judgments of ,chief ,justice ,robinson1 and ,justices ,macaulay and ,sherwood1 on the ,waterloo ,chapel case4#ea ,the opinion of the ,chief ,justice displays profound research1 acute discrimination1 and sound judgment4 ,the opinion of ,mr4 ,justice ,macaulay indicates great labour and strict religious scrupulosity4 ,the opinion of ,mr4 ,justice ,sherwood betrays great want of acquaintance with the discipline1 usages1 and general history of ,methodism4 ,to the ,methodist ,connexion the conflict of opinion and confusion of reasoning of these learned judges are most prejudicial and disastrous4 ,i have therefore sought1 in the review1 to set forth the true facts of this abstruse case--facts connected with the history of ,methodism--facts1 with the most material of which ,i am personally acquainted1 and in the progress of which ,i have been called to act a conspicuous part4 ,in regard to this review1 ,rev4 ,e4 ,healy wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 from ,brockville1 and said3-- ,i have read your review of the opinion of the judges1 and am happy to see it4 ,what the judges will do with you1 ,i do not know4 ,you are considered1 ,i believe1 by some in this part of the country1 as part man and part demon4 ,this is one reason1 doubtless1 why ,i am also so bad a man1 as ,i have said so much in your favour4 ,rev4 ,hannibal ,mulkins1#eb writing from ,whitby on this subject1 said3-- ,the agitation which was anticipated by some of the preachers at the last ,conference1 and which has existed in some degree has happily subsided1 notwithstanding the most vigorous efforts have been made1 and all the arts of calumny and misrepresentation1 employed to harrass1 to worry1 and devour4 ,i was very glad to see your review of the opinions of the ,judges in the ,chapel case4 ,i have read it with much satisfaction4 ,on this circuit1 notwithstanding the prejudices of some individuals1 it has been perused with general delight1 and to our friends in particular it has been highly satisfactory4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in a letter from ,new ,york1 dated ,november1 #ahcg1 says3-- ,i have just returned from an extended tour of about #ejj miles in the ,middle and ,southern ,states1 in order to obtain information and evidence relative to the organization of the ,methodist ,church in ,america1 the character of its ,episcopacy1 and the powers of the ,general ,conference--points which involve the issue of our chapel property case4 ,from the mass of testimony and information ,i have been able to collect1 by seeing every preacher in this continent who was in the work in #aghd1 relative to the character of ,methodist ,episcopacy1 and the powers of the ,general ,conference1 ,i feel no doubt as to the result4#ec ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson1 in making his report on the same subject1 said3-- ,i spent a whole day with ,bishop ,hedding1 and had much conversation with him about our affairs generally4 ,he told me that the ,american ,methodist ,church had never regarded ,episcopacy as a ,divine ordinance--nor as an essential doctrine of the ,church--but as an expedient form of ecclesiastical government1 which could be modified by the ,general ,conference1 or even dispensed with without violating the great principles of ,methodism4 ,the ,bishop is of the opinion1 however1 that if our ,courts decide against us1 we shall have to return to ,episcopacy1 and that the first ,bishop should be ordained by the ,bishops of the ,american ,church4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the same ,november letter1 says3-- ,i have also accompanied ,mr4 ,stinson to render him what assistance ,i could1 in examining ,manual ,labour ,schools1 with a view to establishing one for the benefit of our ,indian youth--an object of the very greatest importance1 both to the religious and civil interests of our aboriginal fellow countrymen4 ,also to get from the ,new ,york ,missionary ,board a sum of money for the ,indian work which was expected from them before our ,union with the ,english ,conference4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,alder1 written from ,new ,york in the same month1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,the concern of our preachers and friends on the ,chapel case is deep and truly affecting4 ,as ,i took so responsible a part in the ,union1 ,i cannot describe my feelings on this question4 ,at the request of our brethren ,i have undertaken to do what ,i could to secure our ,church property from the party claiming it4 ,i have travelled nearly #ejj miles this week for that purpose4 ,but it is cheering amidst all our difficulties1 and the commotions of the political elements1 that our preachers1 ,i believe1 without exception1 are of one heart--that our societies are in peace--that the work of our blessed ,lord is reviving in many of the circuits1 although the cause in ,kingston suffers1 and my dear brethren there complain1 in consequence of my connexional engagements and absence from them4 ,,footnotes3 #ej ,between the ,episcopal and ,wesleyan ,methodists for the possession of the ,church property4 ,waterloo was four miles north of ,kingston4 #ea ,the ,review is inserted in the ,guardian1 vol4 viii41 pages #afi-agh4 ,the ,belleville case was published in pamphlet form4 #eb ,this gentleman entered the ,wesleyan ministry in #ahce1 but joined the ,church of ,england in #ahdj4 ,he was for many years ,chaplain to the ,penitentiary1 at ,kingston1 and always retained a warm regard for ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,he died in #ahgg1 aged #fe years4 #ec ,the particulars here referred to are given in detail in the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pages #bgi-bha4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 #ahcg4 ,the ,coming ,crisis4--,rebellion of #ahcg4 ,as ,dr4 ,ryerson had anticipated1 the combined effects of the publication of his impressions1 in #ahcc2 his letters exposing the designs of ,messrs4 ,hume1 ,roebuck1 and ,mackenzie in #ahcg2 the secession of a section of the ,methodist ,church1 and the disputes consequent thereon 7culminating in the ,waterloo and ,belleville ,chapel suits7--in which he took a leading part--provoked the parties concerned to active hostility against him4 ,he had1 however1 many warm friends1 especially among his ministerial brethren4 ,one of these was ,rev4 ,john ,black1 in the ,bay of ,quinte ,district1--a quaint1 but true and warm-hearted man4 ,in inviting him to take part in the ,quarterly ,meeting services1 at ,napanee1 ,mr4 ,black indulges in a little playful satire1 as follows3-- ,it appears that there are some amongst us here whom we dare not number amongst your friends1 and who prophesied that you would never return from ,england--that you dare not1 etc4 ,now we wish to afford them living proof of their vanity in prophesying1 by your presence amongst them4 ,besides1 on the other hand1 the good-hearted brethren amongst us greatly rejoiced on hearing of your successful mission to ,england1 and they wish to see and hear you once more4 ,somewhat in ,rev4 ,john ,black's spirit of kindly raillery1 ,rev4 ,john ,c4 ,davidson1 of ,hallowell1 in inviting ,dr4 ,ryerson to take part in a ,camp-meeting 7and after mentioning several inducements71 said3-- ,i would mention another inducement for you to come1 viz43 the multiplicity of warm friends and virulent enemies you have on this circuit4 ,your presence and preaching will afford pleasure and profit to your friends1 and will very much tend1 in my opinion1 to disarm the groundless prejudice entertained by many others against you4 ,in a more serious letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,cobourg1 #afth ,november1 #ahcg1 ,rev4 ,anson ,green gives expression to a general feeling of uneasiness and distrust which prevailed everywhere in the country at that time3-- ,i pity you most sincerely4 ,you have a storm about your ears that you must bear1 if you do not bow before it4 ,in these perilous times a man scarcely knows what to advise4 ,i fear that destruction awaits us on either hand4 ,with the ,radicals we are ,tories2 and with the ,tories we are ,rebels4 ,it is said by the ,rebels here that they have money enough1 and men enough1 and guns enough1 and that the plans are so laid that there can be no mistake4 ,the ,government appears to be in possession of these facts4 ,thus far the proceedings of the ,rebels do not show much wisdom1 or skill1 in laying plans1 or in executing them4 ,i am mistaken if they stop short of a civil war4 ,i very much regret that you should be under the necessity of coming in contact with ,governor ,head in any one thing4 ,i could not be a rebel2 my conscience and religion forbid it2 and1 on the other hand1 ,i could not fight for the ,rectories and ,church domination4 ,i think them both to be great evils1 and ,i have resolved to choose neither4 ,i believe that in ,haldimand and ,cramahe townships there are twenty rebels to one sincere loyalist4 ,brother ,wilson1 7son of old ,father ,wilson71 says that his life has been threatened for circulating the petition which you sent down1 and others are in a similar condition4 ,what will be the effect of all this ,i cannot say1 but ,i have thought from the beginning that either the ,rectories must be abolished1 and a suitable disposition made of the ,reserves1 or a change of ,government will ensue4 ,and if the ,church party have it all in their own hands to make peace1 by allowing other ,churches to enjoy equal privileges with themselves1 and do not do so1 they must bear the responsibility of all the bloodshed and carnage that may ensue4 ,i fear that they are so perfectly infatuated that they will suffer utter destruction1 and choose it rather than equal and impartial justice4 ,on the #eth ,december1 #ahcg1 ,dr4 ,ryerson reached ,cobourg on his way to ,toronto4 ,when he arrived there1 ,elders ,case and ,green1 and other friends1 thought that as his life had been threatened it would be unsafe for him to proceed to ,toronto4#ed ,he1 therefore1 waited there for further news1 and1 in the meantime1 wrote to a friend in ,kingston1 on the #fth1 as follows3-- ,you will recollect my mentioning that ,i pressed upon ,sir ,francis the propriety and importance of making some prudent provision for the defence of the city1 in case any party should be urged on in the madness of rebellion so far as to attack it4 ,he is much blamed here on account of his overweening confidence1 and foolish and culpable negligence in this respect4 ,there was great excitement in this town and neighbourhood last night4 ,to-day all is anxiety and hurry4 ,the militia is called out to put down the rebellion of the very man whose seditious paper many of them have supported1 and whom they have countenanced4 ,the precepts of the ,bible and the example of the early ,christians1 leave me no occasion for second thoughts as to my duty1 namely1 to pray for and support the powers that be1 whether ,i admire them or not1 and to implore the defeat of fiery conspiracy and rebellion4 ,and ,i doubt not that the sequel will in this1 as in other cases1 show that the path of duty is that of wisdom1 if not of safety4 ,i am aware that my head would be regarded as something of a prize by the rebels2 but ,i feel not in the least degree agitated4 ,i trust implicitly in that ,god whom ,i have endeavoured--though imperfectly and unfaithfully--to serve2 being assured nothing will harm us1 but that all things1 whether life or death1 will work together for our good if we be followers of that which is good4 ,let us trust in the ,lord1 and do good1 and ,he will never leave nor forsake us6 ,about #gjj armed men have left this district to-day for ,toronto1 in order to put down the rebels4 ,there is an unanimity and determination among the people to quash rebellion and support the law that ,i hardly expected4 ,the country is safe1 but it is a gone day with the rebel party4 ,in a graphic letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 written on the #eth ,december1 by his brother ,william1 at ,toronto1 the scenes at the emeute in that city are thus described3-- ,last night1 about #ab or #a o'clock1 the bells rang with great violence2 we all thought it was an alarm of fire1 but being unable to see any light1 we thought it was a false alarm1 and we remained quiet until this morning1 when1 on visiting the market-place1 ,i found a large number of persons serving out arms to others as fast as they possibly could4 ,among many others we saw the ,lieutenant-,governor1 in his every-day suit1 with one double-barrelled gun in his hand1 another leaning against his breast1 and a brace of pistols in his leather belt4 ,also1 ,chief ,justice ,robinson1 ,judges ,macaulay1 ,jones1 and ,mc,lean1 the ,attorney-,general1 and ,solicitor-,general1 with their muskets1 cartridge boxes and bayonets1 all standing in the ranks as private soldiers1 under the command of ,colonel ,fitzgibbon4 ,i assure you it is impossible for me to describe my feelings4 ,i enquired of ,judge ,mc,lean1 who informed me that an express had arrived at the ,government ,house late last night1 giving intelligence that the ,radicals had assembled in great force at ,montgomery's1 on ,yonge ,street1 and were in full march for the city2 that the ,governor had sent out two persons1 ,mr4 ,a4 ,mc,donell and ,ald4 ,j4 ,powell1 to obtain information 7both of whom had been made prisoners1 but escaped74 ,dr4 ,horne's house is now in flames4 ,i feel very calm and composed in my own mind4 ,brother ,john thinks it will not be wise for you to come through all the way from ,kingston4 ,you would not be safe in visiting this wretched part of the country at the present4 ,you know the feelings that are entertained against you4 ,your life would doubtless be industriously sought4 ,my dear brother1 farewell4 ,may ,god mercifully bless and keep you from all the difficulties and dangers we are in6 ,rev4 ,william ,ryerson further writes1 on the #hth ,december3 ,about #aj o'clock to-day about #b1jjj men1 headed by the ,lieut4-,governor1 with ,judge ,jones1 the ,attorney-,general and ,capt4 ,halkett1 as his aides-de-camp1 and commanded by ,cols4 ,fitzgibbon and ,allan ,n4 ,macnab1 ,speaker of the ,house1 left the city to attack the rebels at ,montgomery's4 ,after a little skirmishing in which we had three men wounded but none killed1 the main body commenced a very spirited attack on their headquarters at ,montgomery's large house4 ,after a few shots from two six-pounders1 and a few volleys of musketry1 the most of the party fled and made their escape4 ,the rest of them were taken prisoners4 ,there were also three or four killed and several wounded4 ,after which ,his ,excellency ordered the buildings to be burnt to the ground1 and the whole force returned to the city4 ,all the leaders succeeded in making their escape4 ,a royal proclamation has just been issued offering #a1jjj for the apprehension of ,mackenzie1 and #ejj for that of ,samuel ,lount1 ,david ,gibson1 ,silas ,fletcher1 and ,jesse ,lloyd2 so that now1 through the mercy of ,god1 we have peace1 and feel safe again1 for which we desire to feel sincerely thankful4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 having reached ,toronto safely1 and knowing how anxious his parents would be to know something definite as to the state of affairs1 wrote a letter to his ,father on the #ahth ,december1 as follows3-- ,i have been trying to get time to make you and ,mother a visit of at least one night2 but ,i find it quite out of my power to secure the enjoyment of so precious a privilege4 ,it is remarkable that every man1 with very few exceptions1 who has left our ,church and joined in the unprincipled crusade which has been made against us1 has either been an active promoter of this plot1 or so far connected with it as to be ruined in his character and prospects by the timely discovery and defeat of it6 ,i have been deeply affected at hearing of some unhappy examples1 among old acquaintances1 of this description4 ,i feel thankful that ,i have been enabled to do my duty from the beginning in this matter4 ,four years ago1 ,i perceived and began to warn the public of the revolutionary tendency and spirit of ,mackenzie's proceedings4 ,perhaps you may recollect that in a long article in the ,guardian1 four years ago this winter1 headed ,revolutionary ,symptoms1 ,i pointed out1 to the great displeasure of even some of my friends1 what has come to pass4 ,it is also a matter of thankfulness that every one of our family and marriage connections1 near and remote1 is on the side of law1 reason1 and religion in this affair4 ,such indications of the ,divine goodness are a fresh encouragement to me to renew my covenant engagement with my gracious ,redeemer1 to serve ,him and ,his cause with greater zeal and faithfulness4 ,i hope1 my dear ,father1 you are employing your last days in preparing for your approaching change1 and for standing before the bar of ,god4 ,my poor prayers are daily offered up in your behalf4 ,much travelling and other engagements have hitherto prevented me from writing to you as ,i would2 but1 hereafter1 the first ,monday in each month shall be considered as belonging to my dear aged ,parents1 in praying for or writing to them4 ,my dutiful respects and love to my dear ,mother4 ,i would esteem it a great favour and privilege to receive a few lines from you or her4 ,,footnotes3 #ed ,dr4 ,ryerson in his ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 page #cad1 says3--,it had been agreed by ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie and his fellow rebels1 in #ahcg1 to hang ,egerton ,ryerson on the first tree they met with1 could they apprehend him4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 #ahcg-ahch4 ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head and the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,lord ,glenelg1 as agreed1 when ,dr4 ,ryerson was in ,england1 7page #afe17 directed ,lieutenant-,governor ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head to bring the pecuniary claims of the ,upper ,canada ,academy before the ,legislature4 ,this he did in ,february1 #ahcg4 ,a committee 7of which ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper was chairman7#ee brought in an excellent report on the subject4 ,the ,house of ,assembly by a vote of #ca to #aj agreed to advance #af1djj to the ,academy4 ,the ,legislative ,council1 on motion of ,hon4 ,j4 ,elmsley1 made such onerous conditions as virtually defeated the bill1 and no relief was granted4#ef ,dr4 ,ryerson1 then in ,england1 pressed the matter most urgently upon ,lord ,glenelg1 who in ,april #ahcg1 sent directions to ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head to advance the money without delay4 ,this1 on various pretexts1 he refused to do2 but when the ,legislature opened in ,january1 #ahch1 he sent a message to the ,house1 which ,dr4 ,ryerson1 then in ,toronto1 thus describes1 in a letter to a friend at ,kingston1 dated ,february #crd1 #ahch4 ,he said3-- ,instead of giving us the promised money for the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 ,sir ,francis ,head has sent a part of the correspondence with ,lord ,glenelg and with me down to the ,house of ,assembly1 with a message in which he implicates me1 as also a letter to ,lord ,glenelg1 written a few weeks after my return from ,england1 in which he impeaches me4 ,i have1 in consequence1 drawn up a petition to the ,house1 filling six large sheets1 exposing the whole of his conduct towards us1 vindicating myself from the charges contained in his despatches1 and proposing to establish every fact which ,i have stated before a select ,committee of the ,house of ,assembly4 ,my petition was presented this morning4 ,according to rule1 a petition has to lie on the table for twenty-four hours before it is read4 ,but a motion was made and agreed to1 to dispense with the rule1 and read my petition4 ,it was then read1 and created a great sensation4 ,it was then moved that #bjj copies of it be printed1 together with all the documents sent down by the ,governor1 to which the petition referred4 ,after discussion the motion was carried by a vote of #cc to #d4 ,this was1 of course1 very gratifying to my feelings1 as it must be extremely mortifying to the ,governor4 ,this is the first petition that has been ordered to be printed by the present--,sir ,francis' own--,parliament4 ,the dispensing with the rule1 and giving such a petition the preference1 was the highest mark of respect which the ,house could have shown me4 ,i have not felt so much agitated with anything for years1 as with this matter4 ,i am now greatly relieved4 ,i feel as if the ,lord ,god of ,hosts was on our side4 ,the ,governor clearly thought that as he was so greatly lauded and had become so famous a conqueror1 we would not dare to come out against him before the public1 or meet him face to face before the ,assembly4 ,on the #afth1 ,dr4 ,ryerson again writes to ,kingston3-- ,this ,academy business is a most painful one to me4 ,the ,legislative ,council and the ,house of ,assembly have each appointed a select ,committee on the subject4 ,but ,i am afraid we will get nothing until we hear from ,lord ,glenelg4 ,my mind has been1 and is1 in a great degree depressed beyond expression1 in regard to our circumstances4 ,my only trust is in ,him who has thus far brought us through1 and turned the designs of our enemies to our account4 ,for the last two days ,i have been as low as ,i was at my lowest in ,london4 ,in addition to ,dr4 ,ryerson's petition to both ,houses1 he made a separate ,appeal to members of the ,assembly4 ,in it he stated in substance that ,sir ,francis ,head-- ,had already issued his warrant for #h1bjj2 that he was informed in ,december1 #ahcg1 not merely verbally1 but in writing1 by ,hon4 ,j4 ,h4 ,dunn1 ,receiver-,general1 that he had funds with which to pay the balance 7#h1bjj71 yet the ,governor refused to issue the requisite warrant for it1 on the plea of much business2 but said that ,mr4 ,dunn had all the warrant that was necessary4 ,in ,january he again declined to issue the warrant1 and excused himself by saying that ,mr4 ,dunn required no further authority4 ,when1 later in the month1 ,dr4 ,ryerson had not only removed every variety of objection and excuse1 but sent a note from ,mr4 ,dunn saying that he had the necessary funds1 ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head stated that he must see one or two of his councillors4 ,after he had done so1 he wrote a note to ,dr4 ,ryerson to say that he had misled him1 as to the advance being a grant instead of a loan1 etc4 ,on #bast ,february1 the ,house of ,assembly recommended that the balance be paid over at once4 ,it pointed out that ,dr4 ,ryerson had become personally liable to the banks for #c1djj1 and ,revs4 ,john ,ryerson and ,e4 ,evans for #b1jjj of the balance due2 that although grants were constantly being made by the ,house1 yet there was no precedent for a loan2 and that as to whether the advance was to be a grant or a loan they would abstain from offering an opinion4 ,this report had the desired effect4 ,the money was paid4 ,on the #bbnd ,february1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was1 therefore1 enabled to write to his friend in ,kingston1 to say that ,the prayer of my petition has been this day complied with by a unanimous vote of the ,house of ,assembly2 and the ,hon4 ,mr4 ,draper told ,brother ,evans that ,his ,excellency would issue his warrant for the money as soon as the ,address of the ,assembly is presented4 ,not a man in the ,assembly would risk his reputation in defence of the conduct of the ,governor in this affair4 ,the ,report of the ,committee was received1 and the ,address passed two readings last night and one this morning1 and without one word from any member of the ,assembly in the way of comment or remark4 ,the ,committee of the ,legislative ,council has actually declined entering into the investigation of the subject at all1 as had been desired by ,his ,excellency4 ,thus has ,sir ,francis ,head not only disgraced himself1 but helped us4 ,i thank the ,lord for ,his blessing thus far4 ,we will still trust in ,him1 and not be afraid4 ,tories1 ,radicals1 and the ,governor1 have each had their turn at us4 ,i hope we may now be allowed to live in peace4 ,the result of this affair has in some measure compensated me for the anxiety of mind ,i have endured4 ,after this unpleasant controversy with ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head was over1 ,rev4 ,anson ,green wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson as follows3-- ,how do you feel after your brush with ,sir ,francis8 ,you need not feel very downcast1 having attained so triumphant a victory4 ,i doubt not but ,sir ,francis would willingly pay double the amount claimed by us1 if he could have prevented the result which has happened4 ,it is too late1 however1 to recall it now4 ,i hope he will learn wisdom from the past1 and not be so self-willed and headstrong in future4 ,no one seems pleased with him but those whose praise is a reproach4 ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,harvard1 in a letter from ,kingston1 said3-- ,i am truly pained at the conduct of the ,lieutenant-,governor1 and sympathize with you in thus being brought into such an unavoidable collision with him4 ,i am more than grieved that he should use us so ungenerously4 ,i am glad that you are the warrior1 for you will combine caution and courage1 and will come off more than conqueror4 ,you are at present the centre of our solicitude4 ,i pray that your heart may be comforted and controlled from above4 ,we are the ,lord's covenanted1 consecrated servants4 ,in ,his work we are employed4 ,by ,his ,holy ,spirit may we ever be actuated and aided6 ,,footnotes3 #ee ,at the ,conference of this year resolutions of thanks were passed to ,mr4 ,draper1 and were sent to him by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 the ,secretary4 ,mr4 ,draper's reply was as follows3-- ,i feel deeply indebted to the ,conference of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church for the honour conferred upon me in deeming my humble exertions in the cause of ,christian education worthy of their approbation1 and ,i trust ,i shall never forget their good opinion4 ,i cannot1 at the same time1 pass by the opportunity of thanking you for the terms in which you have communicated that resolution to me1 and of expressing my satisfaction that ,i have in any degree contributed to the success of your unwearied exertions in behalf of the ,upper ,canada ,academy in ,england4 ,i sincerely rejoice that you were enabled to obtain that aid for its completion1 which was so necessary and so well deserved4 #ef ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 his brother ,william thus accounts for the failure to get the grant3 ,to the miserable ,missionary grant of #ijj to the ,english ,conference we are chiefly indebted for the loss of the ,bill for the relief of the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 as we are positively informed by our best friends in the ,house of ,assembly4 ,it has also been the means of depriving many of the preachers of a considerable part of their small salary1 and in one or two instances1 of the whole of it4 ,it has1 and still does more to weaken our hands1 and to embarrass our labours1 and also to strengthen the hands and to increase the number of our enemies1 than almost any or all other causes put together4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 #ahch4 ,victims of the ,rebellion4--,state of the ,country4 ,early in #ahch the trials for treason took place4 ,messrs4 ,lount and ,matthews were found guilty and sentenced to death4 ,other parties were also tried3 among them was ,dr4 ,thomas ,d4 ,morrison1 a prominent ,methodist in ,toronto4#eg ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 at ,kingston1 his brother ,john mentions that ,dr4 ,morrison was triumphantly acquitted4 ,he also mentions 7as an amusing incident at the trial7 the success of the two counsel for ,dr4 ,morrison1 in showing that statements entirely contradictory to each other could be fully proved from ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head's own speeches and dispatches4 ,he said3-- ,mr4 ,macdonald1 of ,st4 ,catharines1 stated that ,sir ,francis had declared in his speech at the opening of the ,parliament1 that he knew of the rebellion long before it occurred1 and that he was the cause of it4 ,mr4 ,boswell1 of ,cobourg1 admitted that ,sir ,francis had said he knew a good deal4 ,but the ,governor was very fond of a fine style2 he liked rounded periods1 or1 as ,lord ,melbourne had expressed it1 epigrammic flights1 so well1 that he could hardly make his pen write the words of truth and soberness on such occasions4 ,mr4 ,boswell read several extracts from ,sir ,francis' despatches to ,lord ,glenelg1 which were in direct opposition to the extracts read by ,mr4 ,macdonald4 ,a gentleman whispered to me that anything 7no matter what7 could be proved from ,sir ,francis' writings and sayings4 ,in reply to the ,attorney-,general1 ,mr4 ,macdonald said3--,that if the suspicion of treasonable motives and doings in others1 and not informing or using prompt measures to correct or prevent what might follow1 was treason1 then ,sir ,francis was the greatest traitor in the country1 for he said he knew all about the proposed outbreak4 ,mr4 ,boswell said1 that after ,sir ,francis had seen the ,declaration1 and had taken the advice of the ,attorney-,general1 he had sent a despatch to the ,colonial ,secretary declaring that there was nothing treasonable in the country2 that everything was as it should be6 ,to demonstrate this1 he had sent away all the troops4 ,thus1 you see1 the two lawyers made poor ,sir ,francis prove everything4 ,the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty1 which caused great cheering1 and which could not be suppressed for some time4 ,several of the jury were warm ,tories1 but they acquitted the ,doctor4 ,in another letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 his brother ,john gives an account of the efforts made to induce ,sir ,george ,arthur1 the new ,governor1 to commute the sentence of ,lount and ,mathews4 ,he says3-- ,i have signed a petition for the mitigation of ,lount and ,mathews' punishment1 as did ,brother ,william4 ,i have just seen ,rev4 ,james ,richardson1 who has been with ,lount and ,mathews4 ,mathews professed to have found peace4 ,lount is earnestly seeking4 ,a good deal of feeling has been excited respecting the execution of these unfortunate men4 ,a petition signed by #d1jjj persons in their behalf was presented to ,his ,excellency4 ,it was agreed that ,rev4 ,mr4 ,brough 7,church of ,england minister from ,newmarket7 and ,i should go and present the ,toronto petition1 and that we should seek a private interview with him4 ,instead of having a private interview1 we were called into the ,council ,chamber in the presence of the ,executive ,council4 ,this was rather embarrassing to me1 as ,i did not wish to say what ,i had intended to say in the presence of ,sir ,francis' old ,executive ,council4 ,after presenting the petition1 ,mr4 ,brough introduced the conversation and referred ,sir ,george to me4 ,i told him that ,i was extensively acquainted with the country1--that ,i had travelled lately through the ,niagara1 ,gore1 ,home1 ,newcastle1 ,prince ,edward1 and part of the ,midland ,districts1--had conversed with a great many persons1 many of whom1 even persons of high respectability1 and were strongly attached to the interests of ,his ,majesty's ,government1 and the pervading feeling was that the severe penalty of the law should not be executed on those victims of deception and sin4 ,i also read an extract of your last letter to ,his ,excellency p4 #ahh--relating to the inexpediency of inflicting severe punishment in opposition to public sentiment and policy1 for political offences1 etc4 ,after having listened to me very attentively1 ,his ,excellency said1 that after the fullest consultation with his ,executive1 and the most serious and prayerful consideration of this painful matter1 he had come to the conclusion that ,lount and ,mathews must be executed4 ,i also mentioned to the ,governor that you and ,rev4 ,j4 ,stinson had waited on ,sir ,francis about four weeks previous to the insurrection1--that you informed him of insurrectionary movements about ,lloydtown and other places1 which you had learned from me1--that you had strongly urged ,sir ,francis to raise volunteers1 and put the city and other places in a state of defence1--that you and ,i had waited on the ,attorney-,general next day1 and that we had urged these things on him in a similar manner2--but that these statements and advice had been disregarded1 if not disbelieved4 ,in a subsequent letter he thus related the closing scene3-- ,at eight o'clock to-day1 ,thursday1 #abth ,april1 ,lount and ,mathews were executed4 ,the general feeling is in total opposition to the execution of those men4 ,sheriff ,jarvis burst into tears when he entered the room to prepare them for execution4 ,they said to him very calmly1 ,mr4 ,jarvis1 do your duty2 we are prepared to meet death and our ,judge4 ,they then1 both of them1 put their arms around his neck and kissed him4 ,they were then prepared for execution4 ,they walked to the gallows with entire composure and firmness of step4 ,rev4 ,j4 ,richardson walked alongside of ,lount1 and ,rev4 ,j4 ,beatty alongside of ,mathews4 ,they ascended the scaffold and knelt down on the drop4 ,the ropes were adjusted while they were on their knees4 ,mr4 ,richardson engaged in prayer2 and when he came to that part of the ,lord's ,prayer1 ,forgive us our trespasses1 as we forgive those that trespass against us1 the drop fell6 ,in a letter written to ,dr4 ,ryerson the next day1 his brother ,john mentioned a sad incident connected with ,lount's trial3 ,lount's daughter1 a young woman1 was present when her father was condemned4 ,it had such an effect on her1 that she went home and died almost immediately afterwards4 ,these are indeed melancholy times6 ,the evil effects upon the country of the arbitrary conduct of ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head1 are thus described in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from his brother ,william1 dated ,toronto1 #bbnd ,april3-- ,the very painful excitement caused by the execution of ,lount and ,matthews has in some degree subsided1 but dissatisfaction with the state of things is1 ,i fear1 increasing from day to day4 ,emigration to the ,states is the fear of the hour4 ,it is indeed going on to an extent truly alarming and astonishing4 ,a deputation has been sent from this city to ,washington to negotiate with the ,american ,government for a tract of land on which to form a settlement or colony4 ,they have returned1 and say that they met with a most gracious reception1 encouragement and success beyond their most sanguine expectations4 ,an emigration society has been formed1 embracing some of the leading citizens4 ,its object is to commence a colony in the ,iowa ,territory1 on the ,mississippi ,river4#eh ,a very large class are becoming uneasy1 and many of the best inhabitants of the country1 as to industry and enterprise1 are preparing to leave4 ,my own spirit is almost broken down4 ,i feel1 ,i assure you1 like leaving ,canada too1 and ,i am not alone in those feelings2 some of our friends whom you would not suspect1 often feel quite as much down in the throat as ,i do4 ,if ever ,i felt the need of faith1 and wisdom1 and patience1 it is at the present4 ,i have just returned from visiting the prisoners4 ,after all1 we know but little of the calamities and miseries with which our once happy land is now afflicted1 and yet ,sir ,francis1 the most guilty author of this misery1 escapes without punishment2 yes1 with honour and praise6 ,how mysterious are the ways of ,providence--how dark1 crooked1 and perverse the ways of man4 ,,footnotes3 #eg ,dr4 ,morrison had been a clerk in the ,surveyor-,general's office1--had1 indeed1 while there1 collected materials for ,dr4 ,strachan's ,ecclesiastical ,chart1--but1 without any charge1 or the slightest deficiency in faithfulness and efficiency1 was dismissed1 for the simple reason that he had become a ,methodist6 ,he then devoted himself to the medical profession4 ,he was once elected to the ,house of ,assembly for ,york1 defeating the ,attorney-,general4 ,he was also once elected ,mayor of ,toronto4 ,he was the writer's and the editor's physician during life2 died in great peace1 strong in faith1 giving glory to ,god4--,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pages #ahh1 #ahi4--;,h4 #eh ,this disposition to remove from ,upper ,canada to ,iowa was not confined to ,toronto and its vicinity4 ,in the following chapter the case of a ,mr4 ,john ,campbell1 ,m4,p4,p4 for ,frontenac county1 is mentioned4 ,he was on his way to ,iowa when he saw and read ,dr4 ,ryerson's defence of ,mr4 ,bidwell4 ,the reading of that defence changed his plans1 and he remained in ,canada4 7,see page #aib47 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 #agie-ahfa4 ,sketch of ,mr4 ,william ,lyon ,mackenzie4 ,the story of ,dr4 ,ryerson's life would scarcely be complete without giving some information in regard to the chief opponents whom he encountered in the earlier part of his career--men well known at the time1 but whose names and memories are now passing away4 ,with the exception of ,bishop ,strachan1 no man came so immediately in contact with ,dr4 ,ryerson in the first years of his public life as did ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie4 ,mr4 ,mackenzie was born in ,scotland1 in ,march1 #agie4 ,he died in ,toronto1 on the #bhth ,august1 #ahfa1 in the #fgth year of his age4 ,he came to ,canada in #ahbj1 and until #ahbd was engaged in mercantile pursuits4 ,in ,may of that year he entered public life1 and commenced the publication of the ,colonial ,advocate at ,queenston4 ,from that time until near the close of his life1 he maintained his connection1 more or less1 with the press2 but he was always on the stormy sea of politics1 even when not a journalist4 ,the reasons which induced him to enter public life are thus given in ,mr4 ,charles ,lindsey's ,life and ,times of ,mackenzie1 page #dj4 ,they are in ,mr4 ,mackenzie's own words1 and were written some time after the rebellion of #ahcg-h3-- ,i had long seen the country in the hands of a few shrewd1 crafty1 covetous men1 under whose management one of the most lovely1 desirable sections of ,america remained a comparative desert4 ,the most obvious public improvements were stayed2 dissension was created among classes2 citizens were banished and imprisoned ,gourley1 ,beardsley1 etc4 in defiance of all law2 the people had been forbidden1 under severe pains and penalties1 from meeting anywhere to petition for justice2 large estates were wrested from their owners in utter contempt of even the forms of the courts2 the ,church of ,england1 the adherents of which were few1 monopolized as much of the lands of the ,colony as all the religious houses and dignitaries of the ,roman ,catholic ,church had had the control of in ,scotland at the era of the ,reformation4 ,other sects were treated with contempt1 and scarcely tolerated2 a sordid band of land-jobbers grasped the soil as their patrimony1 and with a few leading officials1 who divided the public revenue among themselves1 formed the family compact1 and were the avowed enemies of common schools1 of civil and religious liberty1 of all legislative or other checks to their own will4 ,other men had opposed and been converted by them4 ,at nine-and-twenty ,i might have united with them1 but chose rather to join the oppressed2 nor have ,i ever regretted that choice1 or wavered from the object of my early pursuit4 ,so far as ,i1 or any other professed reformer1 was concerned in inviting citizens of the ,united ,states to interfere in ,canadian affairs1 there was culpable error4 ,so far as any of us1 at any time1 may have supposed that the cause of freedom would be advanced by adding the ,canadas to that confederation1 we were under the merest delusion4 ,mr4 ,lindsey adds3--,in some respects the condition of the ,province was worse than ,mr4 ,mackenzie described it4 ,he dealt only with its political condition4 ,with a ,scotchman's idea of justice and freedom1 he felt a longing desire to right the wrongs which he saw everywhere around him4 ,this1 therefore1 constituted1 as he believed1 his mission as a public man in ,canada1 and it furnishes the key to his life and character4 ,mr4 ,mackenzie was a political pessimist4 ,he looked upon every abuse which he attacked1 with a somewhat severe1 if not a jaundiced1 eye4 ,every evil which he discovered was1 in his estimation1 truly an evil2 and all evils were about of equal magnitude4 ,besides1 in attacking an evil or an abuse1 he did not fail to attack the perpetrator or upholder of it also1 and that1 too1 with a strength of invective1 or of cutting sarcasm1 which brought every foible1 and weakness of his1 and even those of his father before him1 vividly into view4 ,this was the baleful secret of his strength as an assailant2 but this1 too1 caused him to be regarded by his victims with intense dislike1 bordering on hatred4 ,this style of attack1 on the part of ,mr4 ,mackenzie1 did not necessarily arise from anything like vindictiveness1 but rather from a keen sense of dislike to what he conceived to be wrong in the thing he was attacking4 ,in #ahdi 7#ab years after the rebellion71 ,mr4 ,mackenzie1 in a letter to ,earl ,grey1 used the following remarkable language3-- ,a course of careful observation during the last eleven years has fully satisfied me that1 had the violent movements in which ,i and many others were engaged on both sides of the ,niagara proved successful1 that success would have deeply injured the people of ,canada1 whom ,i then believed ,i was serving at great risks4444 ,i have long been sensible of the errors committed during that period4444 ,no punishment that power could inflict or nature sustain1 would have equalled the regrets ,i have felt on account of much that ,i did1 said1 wrote1 and published2 but the past cannot be recalled4444 ,there is not a living man on the continent who more sincerely desires that ,british ,government in ,canada may long continue1 etc4 ,page #bia1 #bib4 ,no man was more unselfish than ,mr4 ,mackenzie4 ,he would rather suffer extreme hardship than accept a doubtful favour4 ,even in regard to kindly and reasonable offers of help1 he was morbidly sensitive 7as mentioned on page #bih of his ,life and ,times72 and yet1 looking at the conduct of many men in like circumstances1 he deserved commendation rather than censure for his extreme conscientiousness4 ,mr4 ,mackenzie did the ,state good service in many things4 ,his investigations into the affairs of the ,welland ,canal were highly valuable to the country1 greatly aided as he was by ,mr4 7now1 ,sir7 ,francis ,hincks as chief accountant4 ,his inquiries in regard to the ,post ,office and ,prison management were also useful4 ,besides1 he advocated many important reforms which were afterwards carried out4 ,mr4 ,mackenzie was the first ,mayor of ,toronto4 ,towards the close of his life he and ,dr4 ,ryerson were not on unfriendly terms2 and when in #aheb1 as a member of the ,legislature he instituted an inquiry into the management of the ,educational ,depository1 he expressed himself satisfied with its usefulness4#ei ,at a later period when ,mr4 ,john ,c4 ,geikie#fj--then a bookseller in ,toronto--commenced his attack upon the ,depository in #aheh1 ,mr4 ,mackenzie thus rebuked him in his ,weekly ,message of ,april #ith1 of that year3-- ,at one time we thought with the redoubtable ,geikie that ,dr4 ,ryerson's book concern was a monopoly1 but a more thorough inquiry induced us to change that opinion4 ,we found that great benefits were obtained for the townships1 the country schools1 and general education through ,dr4 ,ryerson's plan which could in no other way be conferred upon them1 etc4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 on his part1 felt kindly towards ,mr4 ,mackenzie4 ,he mentioned to the ,editor of this book near the close of the year #ahfj1 that on the ensuing ,new ,year's day he 7,dr4 ,ryerson7 would call upon and shake hands with his old antagonist1 and wish him a ,happy ,new ,year4 ,,footnotes3 #ei ,mr4 ,mackenzie frequently visited the ,educational ,depository to make inquiries1 etc4 ,the ,editor of this book had frequent conversations with him on the subject1 and explained to him the details of management4 ,he was pleased to know that through the agency of the ,depository thousands of volumes of good books were being yearly sent out to the schools4 #fj ,now the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,cunningham ,geikie1 of ,england1 and author of the ,life and ,words of ,christ1 and other valuable books4 ,he declined the use of the title of reverend in his controversy with ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 #ahch4 ,defence of the ,hon4 ,marshall ,spring ,bidwell4 ,from various papers and letters left by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,i have compiled the following statement in regard to his memorable defence of the ,hon4 ,m4 ,s4 ,bidwell1 in #ahch4 ,i have used ,dr4 ,ryerson's own words throughout1 only varying them when the sense1 or the construction1 or condensation of a sentence1 required it4 ,he said3-- ,on ,dr4 ,duncombe's return to ,canada1 ,i believe the conspiracy was commenced by him1 ,mr4 ,wm4 ,lyon ,mackenzie1 and others1 sought to accomplish their objects by rebellion2 but in this the great body of ,reformers took no part except to surpress it4 ,i had warned them that ,mr4 ,mackenzie's proceedings would result in rebellion4 ,i afterwards received the thanks of great numbers of ,reformers for having by my warnings and counsels saved them and their families from being involved in the consequences of the rebellion4 ,i was so odious to ,mr4 ,mackenzie and his fellow rebels1 that they determined to hang me on the first tree could they get hold of me4 ,of this1 ,i had proof from one of themselves2 yet ,i afterwards succeeded by my representations and appeals1 to get several of them out of prison4 ,my brother ,john1 who was then in ,toronto1 presented to ,governor ,arthur and advocated a largely signed petition against the execution of ,lount and ,matthews4 ,he also read a letter from me 7then a stationed minister in ,kingston7 against their execution1 and on the impolicy of capital punishment for political offences4 ,after the suppression of the rebellion--in the putting down of which the great body of the ,reformers joined--the leaders of the dominant party sought1 nevertheless1 to hold the entire party of the ,reformers responsible for that rebellion1 and to proscribe and put them down accordingly4 ,the first step in this process of proscription was the ostracism of ,mr4 ,m4 ,s4 ,bidwell1 an able and prudent politician1 and a gentleman who took a high place in the legal profession4#fa and completed them in the office of ,mr4 ,daniel ,hagerman1 of ,ernestown4 ,he was admitted as a barrister-at-law in ,april1 #ahba4 ,mr4 ,bidwell was first elected to the ,house of ,assembly in #ahbd2 re-elected and chosen ,speaker in #ahbh4 ,on the death of ,george ,,iv41 in #ahcj1 a new general election took place1 when the ,reform party were reduced to a minority1 and ,mr4 ,bidwell was not re-elected ,speaker2 but he greatly distinguished himself in the debates of the ,house4 ,in #ahcd1 a new general election took place2 a large majority of ,reformers were returned1 and ,mr4 ,bidwell was again elected ,speaker4 ,in ,may1 #ahcf1 ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head dissolved the ,house of ,assembly1 and ,mr4 ,bidwell and his colleague1 the late ,peter ,perry1 were defeated in the united counties of ,lennox and ,addington1 which ,mr4 ,bidwell had represented in ,parliament during twelve years4 ,from that time 7,may1 #ahcf7 ,mr4 ,bidwell never attended a political meeting1 or took any part in politics4 ,during my stay in ,england1 from ,december1 #ahce1 to ,april1 #ahcg1 ,i had many conversations with ,lord ,glenelg1 ,sir ,george ,grey1 and ,sir ,james ,stephen 7,under ,secretaries71 on the ,government of ,canada1 shewing them that the foundation of our ,government was too narrow1 like an inverted pyramid1 conferring the appointments to all offices1 civil1 military1 judicial1 to one party--excluding all others1 however respectable and competent1 as if they were enemies1 and even aliens4 ,i mentioned that not one member of the ,reform party1 7which had commanded for years a majority in the ,house of ,assembly7 had ever been appointed to the ,bench1 though there were several of them able lawyers1 such as ,bidwell1 ,rolph1 etc4 7,page #afi47 ,lord ,glenelg1 in a despatch1 directed ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head to appoint ,mr4 ,bidwell to a judgeship on the first vacancy4 ,sir ,f4 ,head refused to do so1 for which he was recalled1 and ,sir ,george ,arthur was appointed in his place4 ,in the meantime the ,house of ,assembly was dissolved by ,sir ,francis1 and a general election ordered4 ,i had warned the public against ,mr4 ,mackenzie's doings in converting constitutional reform into republican revolution1 in consequence of which he attacked me furiously4 ,peter ,perry1 in the parliamentary session of #ahcf1 attacked me also1 and defended ,mr4 ,mackenzie in a long speech4 ,this speech reached me in ,england4 ,i sat down and wrote a letter in reply1 which reached ,canada1 and was published there on the eve of the elections1 of which ,i then knew nothing4 ,the constitutional party in ,lennox and ,addington had my letter printed by thousands1 in the form of a large hand-bill headed3 ,peter ,perry ,picked to ,pieces by ,egerton ,ryerson4 ,although ,mr4 ,bidwell took no part in the controversy1 he was on the same electoral ticket with ,mr4 ,perry1 and both were defeated4#fb ,the ,radical party being defeated at the polls1 its leaders3 ,mr4 ,wm4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 ,dr4 ,charles ,duncombe1 and many others1 sought to accomplish by force of arms what they had failed to accomplish by popular elections2 the rebellion of #ahcf-g was the result4 ,as ,mr4 ,bidwell was known to be the intimate friend of ,dr4 ,rolph1 and as ,dr4 ,rolph was thought to be implicated in the rebellion1 it was assumed by ,sir ,f4 ,head that ,mr4 ,bidwell was concerned in it also4 ,but this was perfectly untrue4 ,besides1 ,mr4 ,bidwell entertained the strongest views that not a drop of blood should be shed to obtain the civil freedom of a country--that only moral suasion and public opinion should be employed for such purposes4 ,sir ,f4 ,head thought that now was the opportunity to revenge himself alike upon ,lord ,glenelg and the ,whig ,government1 which had ordered him to appoint ,mr4 ,bidwell to a judgeship1 and also upon ,mr4 ,bidwell as a former leader of the ,reform party who had opposed him4 ,mr4 ,bidwell's letters having reached the ,governor1 he sent for that gentleman4 ,what transpired is thus related by ,mr4 ,bidwell1 in a letter written to me some time afterwards3-- ,sir ,francis assured me that the letters had been sent to him without his orders1 and that he never would allow my letters to be opened4 ,i asked him to open them1 as ,i did not wish to have any suspicions about them indulged afterwards2 but he refused to do it1 and said he had too much respect for me to allow it4 ,indeed1 on the ,wednesday previously1 ,i expressly informed the ,attorney-,general of my own anxiety1 7and that ,i was willing7 to undergo the most full and unreserved examination1 and to let all my papers be examined4 ,the terms of my note of the #hth ,december--the evening of the day of the interview--were dictated1 or at least1 suggested to me by ,sir ,francis1 and referred particularly to his expressions of personal regard4 ,the object of drawing such a note from me is now apparent--but ,i was not then aware that he had received orders from ,lord ,glenelg to make me a ,judge4 ,before leaving ,toronto 7as he intimates71 and after his arrival at ,lewiston1 ,mr4 ,bidwell wrote to ,sir ,f4 ,head 7,december #aath1 #ahcg71 protesting his innocence and against the injustice of the means used to compel him to leave his country4 ,the conclusion of ,mr4 ,bidwell's note from ,toronto is as follows3 ,i am confident 444 that the investigations1 which will now of course be made1 will fully remove those suspicions from the mind of your ,excellency1 and will prove that ,i had also no knowledge or expectation that any such attempt i4e4 insurrectionary movement was in contemplation4 ,to accomplish his revengeful purpose1 however1 ,sir ,f4 ,head wrote or inspired an editorial to the ,toronto ,patriot newspaper 7then the organ of his ,government7 stating that as ,mr4 ,bidwell had left the country1 under circumstances that proved his consciousness of guilt1 it was therefore the duty of the ,benchers of the ,law ,society to erase his name from their rolls4 ,i was then stationed at ,kingston4 ,when ,i saw the editorial in the ,patriot1 ,i at once recognized ,sir ,f4 ,head's hand in it1 and was horror-struck at the idea of a man being exiled from his country1 and then deprived of his professional character and privileges without a trial6 ,i passed a sleepless night4 ,the late ,mr4 ,henry ,cassidy was then mayor of ,kingston2 a staunch ,churchman and ,conservative4 ,his wife was a relative of mine1 so a sort of family intimacy existed between us4 ,mr4 ,cassidy had been a student in ,mr4 ,bidwell's law-office and was now his law agent4 ,mr4 ,bidwell enclosed to ,mr4 ,cassidy the correspondence which had taken place between himself and ,sir ,f4 ,head and ,attorney-,general ,hagerman1 and ,mr4 ,cassidy had shown it to me4 ,the morning after ,i saw the article in the ,patriot1 proposing the erasure of ,mr4 ,bidwell's name from the books of the ,law ,society1 ,i went to ,mr4 ,cassidy1 saying that ,i had not closed my eyes all night1 in consequence of ,sir ,f4 ,head's article in the ,patriot2 that ,i was the only person besides himself who knew the facts of the case1 and though ,i had been assailed by the newspapers of the party with which ,mr4 ,bidwell had been connected1 ,i felt it in my heart to prevent a gross act of injustice and cruelty being inflicted upon a man1 in his absence and helplessness1 who had introduced and carried through our ,legislature the laws by which the different religious denominations held their ,church property1 and their ministers solemnized matrimony4 ,i asked ,mr4 ,cassidy if he would allow me the use of the letters which ,mr4 ,bidwell had enclosed to him1 justifying his own innocence1 and showing the injustice done him by the misstatements of ,sir ,f4 ,head4 ,after some hours of deliberation1 ,mr4 ,cassidy consented4 ,i sat down1 and over the signature of ,a ,united ,empire ,loyalist1 ,i detailed the case1 introducing as proofs of ,mr4 ,bidwell's innocence the injustice proposed to be inflicted upon him1 referring to ,mr4 ,attorney-,general ,hagerman's own letter1 and appealing to the ,law ,society1 and the country at large1 against such injustice and against such violation of the rights of a ,british subject4 ,i got a friend to copy my communication1 so as not to excite suspicion4#fc ,it was the first article that had appeared in the public press after the rebellion1 breathing the spirit of freedom1 and advocating ,british constitutional rights against illegal oppression4#fd ,the effect of this article upon the public mind was very remarkable4 ,as an example1 ,mr4 ,john ,campbell1 member of the ,legislative ,assembly for the ,county of ,frontenac1 despairing of the liberties of the country under the tory oppression of the day1 determined to sell his property for whatever it might bring1 and remove to the ,states4 ,he was on a steamboat on ,lake ,ontario1 on his way to the ,territory of ,iowa to buy land and settle there1 when the newspaper containing my communication fell into his hands2 he read it1 rose up and said that as long as there was a man in ,canada who could write in that way there was hope for the country4 ,he returned home1 resumed his business1 and lived and died in ,canada4 ,the ,attorney-,general was annoyed at the publication of his letter to ,mr4 ,bidwell1 and attempted a justification of his conduct4 ,at the conclusion of a letter to me1 he said that ,i had concealed my name for fear of the legal consequences of my seditious paper4 ,i at once sat down and wrote the most argumentative paper that ,i ever penned 7and for the recovery of which ,i afterwards offered five pounds1 but without success71 reducing the questions to a series of mathematical propositions1 and demonstrating in each case from the ,attorney-,general's own data1 that my conclusions were true1 and his absurd4 ,i concluded by defying his legal threat of prosecution1 and signed my name to the letter4 ,the effect of my reply to ,mr4 ,attorney-,general ,hagerman was marvellous in weakening the influence of the first law adviser of the ,crown1 and in reviving the confidence of the friends of liberal constitutional government4#fe ,subsequently1 7in ,june1 #ahch71 ,i received a letter from ,mr4 ,hagerman1 in which he stated that in my observations on ,mr4 ,bidwell's case ,i had made assertions that impeached his character1 and desired me to inform him on what evidence ,i had based my statements4 ,he said3-- ,the first assertion is that ,i was the author of certain remarks published under the editorial head of the ,patriot newspaper of this city1 injurious to the reputation of ,mr4 ,bidwell4444 ,the second statement is that ,i desired to procure his expulsion from the ,province1 because he had been preferred to me for the office of judge4 ,my reply to ,mr4 ,hagerman was brief and to the point3 ,i beg to say1 in reply to your letter1 that ,i am not conscious of having made either of the assertions which you have been pleased to attribute to me4 ,i think it only just to the late ,mr4 ,hagerman to add1 that the sharp discussions between him and me did not chill the friendliness1 and even pleasantness1 of our personal intercourse afterwards2 and ,i believe few men would have more heartily welcomed ,mr4 ,bidwell's return to ,canada than ,mr4 ,justice ,hagerman himself4 ,mr4 ,hagerman was a man of generous impulses4 ,he was a variable speaker1 but at times his every gesture was eloquent1 his intonations of voice were truly musical1 and almost every sentence was a gem of beauty4 ,the discussion ended there2 but no proposal was ever made to1 much less entertained by1 the ,law ,society to erase ,mr4 ,bidwell's name from its rolls4 ,mr4 ,bidwell's case did not1 however1 end here4 ,in #ahdb1 on the recommendation of ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin1 any promise given by ,mr4 ,bidwell not to return to ,canada--of which no record was found in any of the ,government offices--was revoked1 in #ahdc1 by the ,governor-,general 7,lord ,metcalfe74 ,mr4 ,bidwell was also strongly urged to come back1 and a promise was given to him by the authority of the ,governor-,general that all of his former rights and privileges would be restored to him1 with a view to his elevation to the ,bench4 ,he1 however1 declined to return4 ,again1 some years afterwards1 when ,sir ,w4 ,b4 ,richards was ,attorney-,general1 he was authorized to offer ,mr4 ,bidwell the position of ,commissioner to revise our ,statute ,law4 ,he declined that offer also4 ,in conversation1 in #ahgb1 with ,sir ,john ,macdonald in relation to ,mr4 ,bidwell's early life1 ,sir ,john informed me that some years before1 he himself had1 while in ,new ,york1 solicited ,mr4 ,bidwell to return to ,canada1 but without success4 ,sir ,john said that he had done so1 not merely on his own account 7as he had always loved ,mr4 ,bidwell1 and did not believe that he had any connection whatever with the rebellion71 but because he believed that he represented the wishes of his political friends1 as well as those of the people of ,canada generally4 ,mr4 ,bidwell was an earnest ,christian4 ,he was also a charming companion4 ,a few weeks before his lamented decease1 he visited his relatives and friends in ,canada1 spent a ,sabbath in ,toronto1 occupying a seat in my pew in the ,metropolitan ,church4 ,while here he presented me with a beautiful likeness of himself on ivory4 ,i have placed it in the ,canadian room of our ,departmental ,museum4 ,i little thought it was my last meeting with him1 as ,i had long anticipated and often intended to visit him in ,new ,york1 where he promised to narrate to me many incidents of men and things in the ,canada of former years1 which had not come to my knowledge1 or which ,i had forgotten4 ,a suitable monument would be an appropriate tribute to his memory by our ,legislature and country4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following are extracts of letters written to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 by ,mr4 ,bidwell1 at the dates mentioned3 ,may #bast1 #ahbh--,kingston4--,i admire and fully approved of your plan 7as ,i advised ,mr4 ,h4 ,c4 ,thompson7 of striking off a large number of copies1 in pamphlet form1 of your ,review of ,archdeacon ,strachan's ,sermon4 7,see page #fh47 ,i have no doubt it will be really a great service to the country to do so4 ,indeed1 ,i sincerely think that you could not in any other way be instrumental in promoting so much the cause of ,christ1 as in the labours which you have undertaken4 ,the concerns of this ,colony1 as you see in the newspapers1 are attracting the attention of the ,british ,parliament2 and the decided expression of public opinion here at present will outweigh all that ,dr4 ,strachan and his junto can say and do4 ,my father and ,i will shortly give the subject of ,church ,establishment in this ,province1 contended for by ,dr4 ,strachan1 a full and careful examination1 and communicate to you the result4 ,january #aith1 #ahbi--,york4--,i rejoice once more to receive a letter from you4444 ,i sincerely thank you for your congratulations on my elevation to the ,speakership4 ,i am sensible how much ,i need the prayers and counsels of my friends in discharging the duties of my station4 ,i wish ,christians would reflect what important consequences may follow from every step taken by those in public life1 and especially in the ,legislature4444 ,i send you a copy of ,wilbur's ,reference ,bible1 which ,i beg you will accept as a testimony of my respect and friendship4 ,march #ajth1 #ahbi--,york4--,the ,marriage ,bill has been passed1 with amendments made by the ,legislative ,council4 ,the ,house is about equally divided on trying questions1 so that we often forbear attempting measures which we would wish to pass4 ,this unpleasant state of things produces anxiety1 uncertainty1 and 7worst of all7 violent party spirit4 ,i can with great truth declare that ,i have received but little satisfaction in my public life4 ,to you and your brother the ,province owes a large debt of gratitude4 ,for one1 ,i feel it sensibly1 and wish most sincerely that we could have the benefit of your counsel in our ,house4 ,two or three such men would be a comfort1 a relief1 a support1 and an assistance1 beyond what you have any idea of4 ,april #fth1 #ahca--,kingston4--,i am very glad to see your commendations of the ,attorney-,general4,a ,i think they are just4 ,they are certainly politic and seasonable4 ,indeed1 ,i had thought of hinting to you the propriety of some such notice of his liberality1 etc4 ,i was afraid otherwise the coldness of the courtiers towards him might make him repent of such liberality4 ,but ,i think that your remarks have come at the right time1 and are exactly of the right sort4#ff ,june #adth1 #ahcc--,york4--,we have heard with pleasure of your safe arrival in ,england3 and pleasing indeed this has been to your many friends in the ,province1 whose prayers1 good wishes1 and friendly recollections1 have accompanied you across the ,atlantic4444 ,mr4 ,john ,willson1 ,m4,p4,p41 of ,saltfleet1 has1 within a day or two1 obtained from the ,receiver-,general1 on the warrant of the ,lieutenant-,governor1 #fjj of the public money1 to aid in building chapels1 ,i suppose1 for the ,ryanites4 7,see page #hg74 ,the fact was mentioned to me privately this morning1 but ,i deem it so important as to justify and require me to inform you confidentially of it1 leaving it to your judgment to use the intelligence in the most discreet manner that may be consistent with the duty you owe to liberty and religion4 ,it excites surprise1 pain1 mortification1 indignation1 and contempt1 to see the ,executive ,government here making unjust and invidious distinctions between ,his ,majesty's subjects in the appropriations of the ,clergy ,reserves1 thereby endeavouring to secure an unconstitutional and corrupt influence1 especially after ,lord ,goderich's declaration in his despatch 7which he directed to be published71 that if any preference was shown to one denomination of ,christians more than another1 it was contrary to the policy of ,his ,majesty's ,government1 and against repeated instructions sent to the ,government here4 ,as a ,presbyterian ,i lament the grant to the ,presbytery1 and will do all ,i can to get it repealed1 for ,i am convinced it will do injury to liberty and religion1 and to the very persons who may wish1 or wicked enough1 to receive it4 ,i suppose the ,province is indebted to ,sir ,john ,colborne for these grants4 ,if it is the ,government at home1 it ought to be known3 if it is not1 they ought not only to remove ,sir ,john1 but also reform this abuse4 ,have the ,government ever given your ,society sixpence1 or even a foot of land for your chapels8--although it is the oldest and most numerous body of the kind in the ,province2 is not wealthy1 and has rendered the most valuable services1 and at a time when no other ,church evinced the least interest for the religious instruction or the welfare of the people4 ,april #abth1 #ahch--,new ,york4--,your letter of the #bcrd ult4 and its enclosure the defence1 ,i need not say1 have effected me deeply1 too much1 indeed1 for me to describe my feelings4 ,i thank you from the bottom of my heart for this instance of your kindness2 not less valued1 certainly1 because it was unexpected1 not to say undeserved4 ,if my misfortunes shall be the means of recovering a friendship which ,i formerly enjoyed and always prized1 ,i shall feel not a little reconciled4#fg ,i took the precaution some time ago1 to send to ,england a plain1 distinct statement of all that had occurred between ,sir ,francis ,head and myself4 ,this was transmitted to a friend to show to ,lord ,glenelg4 ,my only object was the vindication of my character4 ,i have never had the least expectation of obtaining justice or redress from the ,colonial office4 ,there seems in that department utter incapacity4 ,the very persons they select for the ,government of ,upper ,canada are enough to prove this4 ,and yet ,i believe that ,lord ,glenelg is an able1 as well as amiable1 devout1 good man4 ,may #aeth1 #ahch--,new ,york4--,i have received a letter from the gentleman in ,england1 to whom ,i had written4 ,he had seen ,lord ,durham1 and shown him my letter4 ,he expressed no opinion2 but the gentleman thinks that the matter stands favourably before him4 ,he has not yet seen ,lord ,glenelg4 ,august #ajth1 #ahci--,new ,york4--,mr4 ,christopher ,dunkin#fh is very anxious to have the honour of an introduction to you4 ,i am very happy to be the means of gratifying him4 ,mr4 ,dunkin was editor of the ,montreal ,courier1 in the latter part of #ahcg1 and beginning of #ahch4 ,he was afterwards appointed by ,lord ,durham on the ,commission relating to education1 and has latterly resided in the ,united ,states4 ,about the time of ,mr4 ,bidwell's defence1 ,dr4 ,ryerson also wrote an explanatory letter to the ,colonial ,office in regard to his excellent friend1 ,hon4 ,john ,h4 ,dunn1 the ,receiver-,general1 whose generous conduct towards the ,upper ,canada ,academy is mentioned on page #afffi4 ,in a letter of acknowledgment from ,mr4 ,dunn to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 he said3-- ,i am very glad to learn from your letter that you have written to ,lord ,glenelg4 ,it is but just to put ,his ,lordship in possession of facts which may counteract the influence of misrepresentation1 and enable ,his ,lordship to exercise his own humane disposition in putting matters right1 which have been so wrong and arbitrary towards the individual ,mr4 ,bidwell1 whom you have taken the interest in1 and trouble1 to restore to his position and his country4 ,i feel exceedingly obliged for the kind feeling which you entertain towards me4 ,believe me1 that you have only done me justice by mentioning my name to ,lord ,glenelg4 ,i have laboured hard since ,i have been in the ,province to discharge my duty to my ,god and my ,government4 ,i have entertained different opinions at times of the ,powers here1 but they have been the dictates of an honest heart4 ,i cannot guide my opinions to the service of any party4 ,whatever they may be1 ,i shall lament if they should result in any other than for the best interests and welfare of the ,province of ,upper ,canada4 ,you were so good as to read me your letter to ,lord ,glenelg1 on the subject of the late execution of ,lount and ,matthews4 ,your version too1 of the real meaning of the representation which caused ,sir ,francis ,head to compel us to retire from the ,executive ,council1 is so correct1 that ,i cannot suggest any amendment2 besides1 ,i am bound by my oath not to divulge any transaction arising at the ,council ,board4 ,i shall be very happy to see the letter published4 7,see page #agj47 ,you have seen my name kindly mentioned in the public prints4 ,what has been said has been the spontaneous expressions of other persons1 quite unknown to me4 ,i am grateful to those persons who have vindicated me against a party1 eager to destroy me1 and my family4 ,i leave them to a ,judge who knows the secrets of all hearts1 and before whom we all shall soon appear4 ,i have had my share of afflictions and troubles in this world1 and to which ,i feel little or no attachment whatever4 ,when the heart is sick1 the whole body is faint4 ,dr4 ,ryerson 7in the ,guardian of #bbnd ,january1 #ahdj7 thus referred to ,mr4 ,dunn as one of the speakers in the ,legislative ,council on the popular side of the clergy reserve question3-- ,i was glad to hear ,mr4 ,dunn speak so well and so forcibly1--universally and affectionately esteemed as he is beyond any other public functionary in ,upper ,canada4 99 99 99 99 99 ,some months after the exile of ,mr4 ,bidwell1 ,mr4 ,james ,s4 ,howard was dismissed by ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head from the office of ,postmaster of ,toronto4 ,the alleged ground of dismissal was that he was a ,radical1 and had not taken up arms in defence of the country4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 with his usual generous sympathy for persons who in those days were made the victims of ,governor ,head's caprice1 at once espoused ,mr4 ,howard's cause4 ,in his first letter in the ,defence of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 he said3-- ,after the insurrection of #ahcg-h1 unfavourable impressions were made far and wide against the late ,postmaster of ,toronto1 and ,mr4 ,bidwell4 ,but subsequent investigations corrected these impressions4 ,the former has been appointed to office1 and ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head's proceedings against the latter have been cancelled by ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe4 7,page #af47 ,again1 in the ,prefatory ,address to the ,metcalfe ,defence1 he said3-- ,while ,god gives me a heart to feel1 a head to think1 and a pen to write1 ,i will not passively see honourable integrity murdered by grasping faction4444 ,i would not do so in #ahch1 when an attempt was made to degrade and proscribe1 and drive out of the country all naturalized subjects from the ,united ,states1 and to stigmatize all ,reformers with the brand of rebellion4444 ,i relieved the name of an injured ,james ,s4 ,howard from the obloquy that hung over it1 and rescued the character and rights of an exiled ,bidwell from ruthless invasion1 and the still further effort to cover him with perpetual infamy by expelling him from the ,law ,society4 7,page #g47 ,,footnotes3 #fa ,according to the books of the ,law ,society1 ,mr4 ,bidwell commenced his legal studies in ,kingston1 the #adth ,march1 #ahaf1 in the office of ,mr4 ,daniel ,washburn1 and completed them in the office of ,mr4 ,daniel ,hagerman1 of ,ernestown4 ,he was admitted as a barrister-at-law in ,april1 #ahba4 ,mr4 ,bidwell was first elected to the ,house of ,assembly in #ahbd2 re-elected and chosen ,speaker in #ahbh4 ,on the death of ,george ,,iv41 in #ahcj1 a new general election took place1 when the ,reform party were reduced to a minority1 and ,mr4 ,bidwell was not re-elected ,speaker2 but he greatly distinguished himself in the debates of the ,house4 ,in #ahcd1 a new general election took place2 a large majority of ,reformers were returned1 and ,mr4 ,bidwell was again elected ,speaker4 ,in ,may1 #ahcf1 ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head dissolved the ,house of ,assembly1 and ,mr4 ,bidwell and his colleague1 the late ,peter ,perry1 were defeated in the united counties of ,lennox and ,addington1 which ,mr4 ,bidwell had represented in ,parliament during twelve years4 ,from that time 7,may1 #ahcf7 ,mr4 ,bidwell never attended a political meeting1 or took any part in politics4 #fb ,as stated by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the above note1 ,mr4 ,bidwell took no part in politics after his political defeat in ,may1 #ahcf4 ,in a note to ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 dated ,august #crd1 #ahcg1 ,mr4 ,bidwell said3 ,having learned from the ,constitution of yesterday that ,i was chosen as a delegate to a ,provincial ,convention1 ,i think it right without delay to inform you 444 that ,i must be excused from undertaking the duties of that appointment4444 ,i cannot but regret that my name should have been used without my consent1 or previous knowledge1 by which ,i am driven to the disagreeable necessity of thus publicly declining the appointment1 etc4 ,in the ,guardian of #bgth ,september1 where this letter appears1 it is stated that ,mr4 ,mackenzie did not publish it in the ,constitution until the #bjth ,september--six weeks after he had received it4 ,in a letter from ,mr4 ,bidwell1 dated1 the #cjth ,april1 #ahcg1 to ,dr4 ,o',callaghan1 of ,montreal1 he said3 ,retired from public life1 probably for ever2 ,i still look with the deepest sympathy on the efforts of those who are actively contending for the great principles of liberty1 and good government1 etc4--,political ,history of ,canada1 #ahdj-ahee1 by ,sir ,francis ,hincks1 #ahgg1 page #g4 #fc ,sir ,alexander ,campbell1 now ,minister of ,justice1 in a note to the ,editor1 thus explains this circumstance3--,in the winter of #ahcg-ch1 ,i was a student-at-law1 and a resident of ,kingston4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was then the ,methodist minister in charge of the only congregation of that body in town4 ,the rebellion of #ahcg-h1 had led to excited1 and very bitter feelings--arrests had been frequent2 and it was not prudent for any one to try to palliate the deeds of the rebels1 or to seek to lessen the odium which covered their real1 or even supposed allies and friends4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 however1 desired to bring out the facts connected with ,mr4 ,bidwell's banishment1 and to change the current of public feeling on the subject--but it was not wise to send letters to the press in his own handwriting1 or in any other way suffer it to become known that he was the author of the letters in defence of ,mr4 ,bidwell4 ,under these circumstances he asked me to copy them1 and take them to the ,herald office--then the most liberal paper in ,upper ,canada4 ,i was proud of the confidence placed in me1 and copied the several letters1 and went with them to the publisher4 ,the letters were signed in words which ,i have not since seen1 but which remain impressed upon my memory1 and which were as follows3-- ,i am ,sir1 by parental instruction and example1 by personal feeling and exertion1 ,a ,united ,empire ,loyalist ,the letters constituted an eloquent defence of ,mr4 ,bidwell1 who certainly took no part in the counsels of those who were afterwards engaged in the rebellion1 when it became evident that they intended to push matters to extremes4 ,the incident made a great impression on me at the time1 and was the beginning of a friendship with which ,dr4 ,ryerson honoured me1 and which ended only with his life4 ,a4 ,campbell4 ,ottawa1 #bith ,december1 #ahhb4 #fd ,the defence was afterwards reprinted in a pamphlet on the #ajth of ,may1 #ahch1 with the following title3 ,the ,cause and ,circumstances of ,mr4 ,bidwell's ,banishment by ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head1 correctly stated and proved by ,a ,united ,empire ,loyalist4 ,kingston1 #ahch1 pp4 #af4 #fe ,some time after ,sir ,george ,arthur's arrival as ,governor1 he sent for me1 and stated that his object in doing so was to request me1 for the sake of the ,government and the country1 to withdraw the letter ,i had written in answer to ,attorney-,general ,hagerman2 that it greatly weakened the ,government2 that my power of argumentation was prodigious1 but he believed ,i was mistaken2 that ,mr4 ,bidwell had called to pay his respects to him at ,albany1 on his way to ,canada2 and that he 7,sir ,george7 believed ,mr4 ,bidwell was guilty1 as far as a man of his caution and knowledge could be concerned in the rebellion2 and though my argument on his behalf seemed to be irresistible1 he believed ,i was wrong1 and that the withdrawal of my letter would be a great help to the ,government4 ,i replied that my weekly editorials in the ,christian ,guardian 7of which ,i had consented to be re-elected ,editor7 showed that ,i was anxious to suppress the factious and party hatreds of the day1 and to place the ,government upon a broad foundation of loyalty and justice2 that what ,i had written in the case of ,mr4 ,bidwell had been written by me as an individual and not as the editor of the organ of a religious body1 and had been written from the firm conviction of ,mr4 ,bidwell's innocence1 and that his case involved the fundamental and essential rights of every ,british subject2 and that1 however anxious ,i was to meet ,his ,excellency's wishes1 ,i could not withdraw my letter4 ,i then bowed myself out from the presence of ,sir ,george1 who1 from that hour became my enemy1 and afterwards warned ,lord ,sydenham against me as a dangerous man1 as ,lord ,sydenham laughingly told me the last evening ,i spent with him in ,montreal1 at his request1 and before his lamented death4 #ff ,these remarks will be found on page #hc of the ,guardian of #bnd ,april4 #fg ,this loss of friendship with ,dr4 ,ryerson may be explained by the following reference to ,mr4 ,bidwell1 in a letter from ,dr4 ,ryerson1 to his brother ,john1 dated1 ,kingston1 #bith ,may1 #ahch3--;,from an intimate religious friend of ,mr4 ,bidwell1 ,i learn that during the last few years he had acted more after a worldly policy1 common to politicians1 and had1 therefore1 partly laid himself open to the censure which he has received4 ,i am also sensible of his prejudices against me of late years1 and of the great injury which ,i have thereby sustained4 ,i had some difficulty to overcome my own feelings in the first instance4 ,but as far as individual feelings and interests are concerned1 it is the glory of man to pass over a transgression1 generous as well as just1 as we have received help from ,bidwell himself when we could not help ourselves1 and were trampled upon by a desperate party4 ,if others had seen the letters from ,bidwell to ,mr4 ,cassidy1 which ,i have been permitted to read1 ,i am sure the noble generosity of their hearts would be excited in all its sympathies4 ,i do not think1 however1 that he will ever return to this ,province to reside4 ,that appears to be altogether out of the question with him2 but that does not alter the nature of the case4 ,i have replied to ,mr4 ,hagerman with calmness1 but with deep feeling4 ,my reply will occupy about eight columns in to-morrow's ,herald4 #fh ,mr4 ,dunkin afterwards became a noted politician1 and member of the ,parliament of ,united ,canada1 from #aheg1 until ,confederation4 ,he was the promoter of the ,dunkin ,act4 ,he was one of the contributors to the ,monthly ,review1 established by ,lord ,sydenham in #ahda4 ,he was subsequently appointed to the ,bench1 and died a few years since4 #fi ,the ,hon4 ,john ,henry ,dunn was a native of ,england4 ,he came to ,canada in #ahbj1 having been appointed ,receiver-,general of ,upper ,canada1 and a member of the ,executive and ,legislative ,council4 ,he held the office of ,receiver-,general until the union of the ,provinces in #ahda1 when the political exigencies of the times compelled him to resign it4 ,he and ,hon4 ,isaac ,buchanan contested the city of ,toronto1 in the ,reform interest1 in #ahda1 and were returned4 ,mr4 ,dunn received no compensation for the loss of his office1 and soon afterwards returned to ,england1 where he died in #ahed4 ,he was a most estimable public officer4 ,his son1 ,col4 ,dunn1 greatly distinguished himself during the ,crimean war1 and1 on his visiting ,canada soon afterwards1 was received with great enthusiasm1 and a handsome sword was presented to him4--,h4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 #ahch4 ,return to the ,editorship of the ,guardian4 ,the ,rebellion of #ahcg-ch was suppressed by the inherent and spontaneous loyalty of all classes of the ,canadian people4 ,yet1 after it was over1 the seeds of strife engendered by the effort to prove that one section of the community was more loyal than the other1 and that that other section was chiefly responsible for the outbreak1 bore bitter fruit in the way of controversy4 ,dr4 ,ryerson took little part in such recriminatory warfare4 ,it was too superficial4 ,he felt that it did not touch the underlying points at issue between the dominant1 or ruling1 party and those who were engaged in a contest for equal civil and religious rights4 ,he1 and the other leaders who influenced and moulded public opinion1 clearly saw that this recriminatory war was carried on by the dominant party as a mask to cover their ulterior designs--designs which were afterwards developed in the more serious struggle for religious supremacy which that party waged for years afterwards1 and which at length issued in the complete triumph of the principles of civil and religious freedom for which ,dr4 ,ryerson and the representatives of other religious bodies had so long and so earnestly contended4 7,see page #deb47 ,besides1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was anxious to fulfil the engagement made with the ,kingston ,society that he would resume his pastoral charge there1 after his return from ,england in ,june1 #ahcg4 ,he was1 however1 repeatedly pressed by his friends to write for the ,guardian1 or other newspaper1 on the vital questions of the day4 ,in reply to his brother ,john1 who had urged him in the matter1 he wrote 7,march1 #ahch7 saying that he was so happily engaged in his pastoral duties at ,kingston that he could not then devote the necessary time to the discussion of public questions4 ,his brother1 in remonstrating with him on the subject1 said3-- ,your letter affords me great satisfaction1 accompanied with sorrow4 ,i am afflicted to think of the state the ,province is in4 ,never did high-churchism take such rapid strides towards undisputed domination in this country as it is now taking4 ,never were the prospects of the friends of civil and religious liberty so gloomy and desperate as they are now4 ,you say that you have not time to write on these subjects4 ,i will say1 if you had1 it would not now1 ,i fear1 accomplish much4 ,indeed1 it would1 require the undeviating course and the whole weight of the ,guardian to accomplish anything at this time1 so completely is all moral power in the country enervated and liberty prostrated4 ,it is a great blessing that ,mackenzie and radicalism are down1 but we are in imminent danger of being brought under the domination of a military and high-church oligarchy1 which would be equally bad1 if not infinitely worse4 ,under the blessing of ,providence there is one remedy1 and only one2 and that is1 for you to take the editorship of the ,guardian again4 ,several preachers have spoken to me on this subject lately4 ,one of them said to me 7and he could think of nothing else7 that that alone would save us and the country from utter ruin1 and urged the necessity of the ,conference electing you1 whether you would consent to serve or not4 ,the truth is1 it is absolutely necessary for the sake of the ,church and the country that you reside in ,toronto1 and have direction of affairs here4 ,i wish all of our proceedings to be calm and moderate1 but that we be firm1 and that the great principles of religious freedom and equality should be uncompromisingly maintained4 ,in a subsequent letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson his brother ,john said3 ,in fact there is no way of escape out of our troubles but for you to take the ,guardian4 ,the feeling of dissatisfaction at the present state of things is becoming exceedingly strong among the preachers and people4 ,i participate in their feelings4 ,dr4 ,ryerson yielded to these appeals1 and did write for the ,guardian4 ,in a letter1 dated ,kingston1 ,april #dth1 he said3-- ,i have recently written at considerable length to ,lord ,glenelg respecting the ,academy and other local matters4 ,what you say in regard to myself1 and my appointment next year1 ,i feel to be a delicate and difficult matter for me to speak on4 ,in regard to myself ,i have many conflicting thoughts4 ,my feelings1 and private interests1 are in favour of my remaining where ,i am1 if ,i remain in the ,province4 ,i have been very much cast down1 and my mind has been much agitated on the subject4 ,for the present ,i am somewhat relieved by the conclusion to which ,i have come1 in accordance with ,dr4 ,clarke's ,advice to a ,young ,preacher1 not to choose my own appointment1 but after making known any circumstances1 which ,i may feel it necessary to explain1 to leave myself in the hands of ,god and my brethren1 as ,i have done during the former years of my ministry4 ,if the ,lord1 therefore1 will give me grace1 ,i am resolved to stand on the old ,methodistic ground in the matter of appointment to the ,guardian4 ,i thank you for ,chief ,justice ,robinson's address at the trial of the prisoners4 ,it is good4 ,my own views are in favour of lenity to these prisoners4 ,punishments for political offences can never be beneficial1 when they are inflicted in opposition to public sentiment and sympathy4 ,in such a case it will defeat the object it is intended to accomplish4 ,it matters not whether that sentiment and sympathy are right or wrong in the abstract2 the effect of doing violence to it will be the same4 ,but ,i would not pander to that feeling1 how carefully soever one may be disposed to observe its operations4 ,the fact1 however1 is1 that ,sir ,francis ,head deserves impeachment1 just as much as ,samuel ,lount deserves execution4 ,morally speaking1 ,i cannot but regard ,sir ,francis as the more guilty culprit of the two4 ,i admire1 as a whole1 ,sir ,george ,arthur's reply to the address of the ,constitutional ,reformers4 ,there is good in it4 ,they will see the folly of continuing the former party designations1 and pretended grounds of complaint4 ,i think1 however1 that their address will do good1 from the large number of names attached to it4 ,i was surprised1 and it has created quite a sensation here1 that there are so many as #ggb in ,toronto1 who still have the moral courage to designate themselves ,constitutional ,reformers4 ,it will teach the other party that they are not so strong1 and so absolute in the voice of the country1 as they thought themselves to be4 ,i am satisfied that there never was such a time as from the termination of the trial of the prisoners to the next session of ,parliament1 for us to stamp upon the public mind at large1 our own constitutional1 and ,scriptural1 political1 and religious doctrines2 and to give the tone to the future ,government and ,legislation of the ,province1 and to enlarge vastly a sphere of usefulness4 ,i shall write some papers for the ,guardian with this view4 ,in a letter from ,brockville1 ,rev4 ,william ,scott said3-- ,my humble opinion is1 that in order to our safety as a ,church--our preservation from high church influence--you must be at ,toronto4 ,i assure you that is the opinion of our influential men in this quarter1 who understand the state of the province1 and the position of ,methodism4 ,permit me to add that the one hour's conversation which ,i had with you amply repaid me for all the furious battles which ,i have fought on this circuit in your defence4 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson1 in a letter to ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 said3 ,i am quite of your opinion that your brother ,egerton ought to take the ,guardian next year4 ,there is a crisis approaching in our affairs which will require a vigorous hand to wield the defensive weapon of our ,conference4 ,there can be no two opinions as to whom we should give that weapon4 ,we now stand on fair ground to maintain our own against the encroachments of the oligarchy1 and we must do it1 or sink into a comparatively uninfluential body--this must not be4 ,as urged by these letters from his brethren1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 early in ,may1 #ahch1 prepared several articles for the ,guardian4 ,his brother ,john1 who was a member of the ,book ,committee1 thus speaks of the series of articles sent to that paper3-- ,i cannot express to you how much ,i am gratified and pleased with your article on ,christian ,loyalty4 ,it will1 no doubt1 do immense good4 ,we have had a regular campaign in our ,book ,committee1 in reading and discussing your articles4 ,the one on ,christian ,loyalty occupied nearly the whole time4 ,your article on ,the ,church is one of the most admirable papers ,i ever read4 ,not a word of that is to be altered4 ,your communication on ,indian ,affairs1 ,i cannot speak so highly of4 ,i hope you will pardon me for leaving out some of the severe remarks on ,sir ,francis4 ,i am afraid they will do harm with the present ,government4 ,at the ,conference of #ahch1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was re-elected ,editor of the ,christian ,guardian4 ,in his first editorial1 dated #aath ,july #ahch1 he said3-- ,notwithstanding the almost incredible calumny which has in past years been heaped upon me by antipodes-party-presses1 ,i still adhere to the principles and views upon which ,i set out in #ahbf4 ,i believe the endowment of the priesthood of any ,church in the ,province to be an evil to that ,church4444 ,i believe that the appropriation of the proceeds of the clergy reserves to general educational purposes1 will be the most satisfactory and advantageous disposal of them that can be made4 ,in nothing is this ,province so defective as in the requisite available provisions for1 and an efficient system of1 general education4 ,let the distinctive character of that system be the union of public and private effort4444 ,to ,government influence will be spontaneously added the various and combined religious influence of the country in the noble1 statesmanlike1 and divine work of raising up an elevated1 intelligent1 and moral population4#gj ,in combatting the idea that his editorial opinions in the ,guardian were necessarily the opinions of the ,methodists as a body1 and that they were responsible for them1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the ,guardian of ,august #aeth1 thus defines the rights of an editor3--,to be the mere scribe of the opinions of others1 and not to write what we think ourselves1 is a greater degradation of intellectual and moral character than slavery itself4444 ,in doctrines and opinions we write what we believe to be the truth1 leaving to others the exercise of a judgment equally unbiassed and free4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the exuberance of loyal zeal1 and yet in a kindly spirit which was characteristic of him1 ,rev4 ,w4 ,m4 ,harvard1 ,president of the ,canada ,conference1 issued a pastoral on the #agth ,april1 #ahch1 to the ministers of the ,church1 enjoining them not to recognize as members of the ,society those whose loyalty could be impeached4 ,the directions which he gave were3-- ,should there be a single individual for whose ,christian loyalty the preacher cannot conscientiously answer for to his brethren1 in the first place such individual should not be included in the return of membership1 and in the second place such individual should be dealt with kindly and compassionately1 but firmly1 according to the provisions of the ,discipline4 ,no man who is not disposed to be a good subject can be admissible to the ,sacraments of the ,church4444 ,should any person apply hereafter for admission into our ,church1 who may be ill-affected to the ,crown 444 tell him kindly1 but firmly1 444 that he has applied at the wrong door4 ,as soon as this extraordinary pastoral had appeared1 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed a letter of some length to the ,guardian1 objecting in very temperate1 but yet in very strong language to the doctrine laid down in it by the ,president of the ,conference4 ,before publication1 however1 he sent it to ,mr4 ,harvard for his information and perusal4 ,he showed from the writings of ,john ,wesley1 ,richard ,watson1 and others1 and from examples which he cited 7,john ,nelson1 the apostolic fellow-labourer of ,john ,wesley1 etc47 that such a doctrine savoured of despotism1 and was harsh and inquisitorial in its effects4 ,he concluded thus3-- ,none of the various political opinions which men hold1 and their respectful and constitutional expression of them1 is any just cause of excluding from the ,lord's ,table any human being1 provided his religious character is unexceptional4 ,the only condition of membership in our ,church is a desire to flee from the wrath to come1#ga and none of the opinions mentioned is inconsistent with the fruits by which that desire is evidenced4 ,the ,discipline of the ,church1 or the ,scripture itself1 does not authorize me to become the judge of another man's political opinions--the ,church is not a political association--any man has as good a right1 religiously and politically1 to his opinions of public matters as ,i have to mine--and laymen frequently know much more1 and are better judges1 than ministers in civil and secular affairs4 ,it can be well understood what would be the effect of the ,pastoral1 and not less so of ,dr4 ,ryerson's clear and dispassionate disclaimer of the doctrines which it officially laid down4 ,it required courage and firmness1 in the loyal outburst and reaction of those days1 to question the propriety or expediency of any reasonable means by which the unimpeachable loyalty of members of the ,church could be ascertained4 ,what added to the embarrassment of ,dr4 ,ryerson in discussing such a question was the fact that the ,methodists were being constantly taunted with being disloyal4 ,knowing this1 and sensitive as to the disgrace of such a stigma being cast upon the ,church1 the ,president felt constrained to take some decisive1 and yet1 as he thought1 kindly and satisfactory means of ridding the ,church of members who were the cause1 in his estimation1 of such a disgrace and reproach to that ,church4 ,among many other strong letters of commendations of his reply to ,mr4 ,harvard1 which ,dr4 ,ryerson received1 were two1--one from a representative minister of the ,canadian section of the ,church1 and the other from an equally excellent representative of the ,british missionaries4 ,thus3 ,rev4 ,anson ,green1 writing from ,picton1 said3-- ,i was sorry1 though not surprised1 to hear that you were very much perplexed4 ,i could easily understand your feelings1 and quite sympathize with you4 ,your recent efforts for the peace and prosperity of the ,church have very much endeared you to my heart4 ,i am fully prepared to believe the assertion which you made while in ,england1 that you love ,jerusalem above your chief joy4 ,this you have fully proved by your untiring efforts on behalf of the ,academy1 the ,chapels1 and on the ,church question2 but in nothing more1 allow me to say1 than in the firm1 manly1 and ,christian spirit1 in which you have come out1 publicly1 in defence of the membership of the ,church1 and of sound principles4 ,i had resolved when ,rev4 ,mr4 ,harvard wrote to me to carry out the principles of his instructions and ,pastoral in this district1 to write him a letter respectfully and yet firmly declining to do so4 ,but when ,i saw the storm gathering in every quarter1 ,i could only exclaim in the despondency of my soul3--,when will our brethren cease to destroy us1 and when will the ,church again have rest from internal commotion and strife6 ,and just at this crisis 7a memorable crisis to thousands of our ,canadian friends7 your excellent rejoinder to ,mr4 ,harvard's ,pastoral came out in the ,guardian4 ,it was a balm to the afflicted heart4 ,it was a precious cordial poured forth4 ,your letter was sent from house to house1 from cottage to cottage1 and met with unequivical applause from all4 ,the lowering sky began to clear up1 and we are encouraged once more to hope for clear sunshine4 ,you have had the courage to speak the truth in opposition to men in high authority4 ,your letter was in every respect just what it should have been1 and thousands do most sincerely thank you for it4 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson1 writing from ,simcoe1 said3-- ,as far as ,i can ascertain1 your appointment as ,editor of the ,guardian next year will give general satisfaction4 ,the ,president's ,pastoral and your reply are producing quite a sensation4 ,most people give ,mr4 ,harvard credit for purity of intention1 but regret that the subject of politics has been adverted to by him in such a form4 ,your remarks on the ,pastoral have hushed the fears of many who were greatly disturbed2 but some think that your statement of abstract right is carried too far1 and may at a future day be appealed to in support of measures which you would utterly condemn4 ,some of your old tory friends think that there is design in all you write on these questions1 and do not hesitate to designate you by the amiable title of a jesuit1 etc4 ,you can bear all this and much more in carrying out your design1 to show them that their tactics are understood1 and their proceedings are closely watched1 so as to prevent them from obtaining those objects which would be alike unjust to us as a ,church1 and ungenerous to themselves4 ,it is well that in all of the burnings which your fingers have had1 you have not yet lost your nails2 for ,i expect that you will need them before long4 ,the high church party have the will1 if they can muster the courage1 to make a renewed and desperate attack upon you4 ,fear not2 while you advocate the truth1 you can defy their rage4 ,the public mind seems to me to be in a state of painful suspense4 ,the people hate and dread rebellion4 ,they are not satisfied with the present leading political party4 ,they hope to see a new man rise up with sufficient talent and influence to collect around him a respectable party to act as a balance between oppression and destruction4 ,some talk of a new election2 some talk of leaving the country2 all seem to think that something must be done2 none know what to do4 ,how ought we in this awful crisis 7for an awful crisis it is71 to pray for the ,divine interposition in behalf of our distracted province4444 ,i saw your venerable father last night4 ,he very much wishes you to write to him4 ,on the #gth of ,november1 #ahch1 the first number of the #ajth volume of the ,guardian was issued4 ,in it there is an elaborate article signed by ,dr4 ,ryerson 7although he was then ,editor71 on the state of public affairs in ,upper ,canada4 ,in his introductory remarks he said3-- ,from the part ,i have usually taken in questions which affect the foundations of our ,government1 and our relations with the ,mother ,country1--and from the position ,i at present occupy in respect to public affairs1 and in relation to the ,province generally1 it will be expected that ,i should take a more than passing notice of the eventful crisis at which we have arrived4 ,in conclusion1 he says3 ,having faithfully laid before the ,government and the country the present posture of affairs1 and the causes of our present dissatisfaction and dangers1 ,i advert to the remedies3 7#a4 ,military defence47 #b4 ,let the ,government be administered as much in accordance with the general wishes of this country1 as it is in ,england4 #c4 ,abolish high-church domination1 and provide perfect religious and political equality4 #d4 ,let them be at equal fidelity to obey the authorities when called upon4444 ,he who does most to bring about this happy state of things in the ,province will be the greatest benefactor of his country4 ,,footnotes3 #gj ,even at this early date1 ,dr4 ,ryerson indicated the comprehensive character of the system of education which he was afterwards destined to found in ,upper ,canada4 #ga ,these words as to membership are identical with those which ,dr4 ,ryerson uttered fifteen years afterwards in his discussion on the ,class-meeting question4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 #ahch-ahdj4 ,enemies and ,friends ,within and ,without4 ,any controversialist1 whose honest belief in his own doctrines makes him terribly in earnest1 may count on a life embittered by the anger of those on whom he has forced the disagreeable task of reconsidering their own assumptions4--,canon ,farrar4 ,all through his public career1 ,dr4 ,ryerson had many bitter enemies and many warm and devoted friends4 ,this was not to be wondered at4 ,no man with such strongly marked individuality of will and purpose1 and with such an instinctive dislike to injustice and oppression1 could fail to come in contact with those whose views and proceedings were opposed to his sense of right4 ,the enmity which he excited in discussing public questions was rarely disarmed 7except in the case of men of generous impulses or noble natures7 by the fact that he and those who acted with him were battling for great principles--those of truth1 and justice1 and freedom4 ,when these principles could not be successfully assailed1 the usual plan was to attack the character1 and wound the tender sensibilities of their chief defender4 ,this was a mistake2 but it was the common error with most of ,dr4 ,ryerson's assailants4 ,and yet those who did so in his presence1 and in the arena of debate1 rarely repeated the mistake4 ,with all his kindness of heart and warmth of friendship1 there was1 when aroused1 much of the lion in his nature4 ,few who assailed him in ,conference1 or made a personal attack upon him in other places of public discussion1 could stand before the glitter of his eye when that lion-nature was aroused2 and fewer still would care to endure the effect of its fire a second time4 ,most of the personal attacks made upon ,dr4 ,ryerson were in writing1 and often anonymously4 ,he had1 therefore1 to defend himself chiefly with his pen4 ,this he rarely failed to do1 and with good effect4#gb ,on such occasions he used strong and vigorous language1 of which he was an acknowledged master4 ,very many of these attacks were ephemeral1 and not worthy of note4 ,others were more serious and affected character1 and these were more or less bitter and violent4 ,they1 of course1 called forth a good deal of feeling at the time1 but are only referred to now as part of the story of a life1 then singularly active and stormy4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,editor of the ,toronto ,patriot having published extracts from a pamphlet issued in the ,newcastle ,district 7,county of ,northumberland71 in #ahcb1 in which attacks were made upon ,dr4 ,ryerson's character1 he replied to them in the columns of that paper4 ,in #ahbh1 his circuit was in the ,newcastle district1 and the person who made these attacks resided in ,haldimand1 about eight miles east of ,cobourg4 ,among other things1 this man said that ,dr4 ,ryerson read seditious newspapers at his house1 on the ,sabbath day6 ,in reply1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,as my plan of labour prevented me from reaching this person's locality until ,sunday evening1 and then preach in the ,church there1 it would be impossible for me to do as he has alleged4 ,were ,i to have done so1 ,i would be unworthy of the society of ,christian men4 ,but the author of this libel1 which was published by him four years after the alleged circumstance took place1 was defeated as a candidate for the ,house of ,assembly1 on account of a personal attack which he made upon me at the hustings6 ,hinc ill lucrym4 ,this person also said that ,i hoped yet to see the walls of the ,church of ,england levelled to the dust4 ,in my reply to this ,i said3--,i solemnly declare that ,i never uttered such a sentiment1 nor have ,i cherished any hostility to the ,church of ,england4 ,some of my friends desired me to take orders in the ,church of ,england see page #da2 and a gentleman 7now an ,episcopal clergyman7 was authorized by the late ,bishop of ,quebec to request me to make an appointment to see him on his then contemplated tour through the ,niagara ,district1 where ,i was travelling4 ,after mature1 and ,i trust1 prayerful deliberation1 ,i replied by letter declining the proposals made1 at the same time appreciating the kindness and partiality of my friends4 ,a short time afterwards1 ,i met the friend who had been the medium of this communication from the late ,dr4 ,stewart4 ,he was deeply affected at my decision4 ,when ,i assigned my religious obligation to the ,methodists as a reason for declining the offer1 he replied that all of his own religious feelings had also been derived from them1 but he thought the ,church required our labours4 ,some person having written1 professedly from ,kingston1 a diatribe against ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the ,london 7,eng47 ,standard1 ,rev4 ,robert ,alder replied to it1 and apprised him of the fact3-- ,an attack having been made on you in a letter from ,kingston1 and inserted in the ,standard1 ,i have been stirred up to write in your defence4 ,i expect also to have a battle to fight with ,sir ,francis ,head1 for ,i guess he knows something of your ,kingston friend4 ,from ,mr4 ,alder's reply1 ,i make the following extracts3-- ,there is no man1 either in the ,canadas or at home1 better acquainted with the former and present state of these fine provinces than ,mr4 ,ryerson1 as his letters in the ,times1 signed ,a ,canadian1 testify4 ,even his ,kingston slanderer admits that the facts stated in these letters were1 in the main exceedingly correct1 indisputably true1 and for the publication of which he is entitled to the grateful thanks of every loyal subject throughout ,british ,north ,america4 ,but the malice of an adversary is too often swifter than the gratitude of those who have derived benefit from our services4 ,this is proved in the case of ,mr4 ,ryerson2 for while every radical and republican journal in the province has teemed with communications vilifying his character and motives in the strongest terms1 a stinted meed of praise has been doled out to him4444 ,no wonder that persons in this country deeply interested in ,canada frequently consulted him2 no wonder that the ,british ,north ,american ,land ,company re-published his letters from the ,times at their own expense4 ,and it is to the honour of the noble lord at the head of the ,colonial ,department1 that he did obtain from so intelligent and influential an individual as ,mr4 ,ryerson1 information respecting the state of parties in a country so well-known to him4 ,if his information and advice1 and that of another ,methodist ,parson in ,canada1 had been received and acted upon elsewhere1 there is reason to believe that ,mackenzie and his traitorous associates would not have been permitted to unfurl the standard of rebellion in the midst of a peaceful and loyal people4 7,see pages #agf and #ahc47 ,the inspired truth that ,a man's foes shall be they of his own household received many a painful illustration in ,dr4 ,ryerson's history4 ,in #ahch1 it was reduced to a system4 ,the assailant was often ,a ,wesleyan1 or1 ,a ,true ,wesleyan1 and under the friendly gis of four or five papers1 which were usually hostile to ,methodism itself1 the attack would be made4 ,from numerous examples noted in the ,guardian1 ,i select a specimen3-- ,the rebellious ,guardian is shut against us2 its cry is war1 havoc1 and bloodshed1 with ,wesley on the lips1 but implacable hatred to him in the heart of its editor and his friends4444 ,one of two things remain for us1 either to expel the ,ryerson family and their friends from our ,society1 who are the root of all our misfortunes1 or 444 for all true ,wesleyans to withdraw from them and their wicked adherents1 as the ,israelites did from ,egypt1 or a leper4 ,in ,dr4 ,ryerson's effort to protect individuals who were oppressed1 and who had no means of defence1 except in the columns of the ,guardian1 he was often virulently assailed1 and even his life threatened4 ,on the #bbnd ,december1 #ahch1 he received a letter of this kind from an influential gentleman in ,toronto1 who threatened legal proceedings unless the name of a writer in the ,guardian was given to him4 ,he said3-- ,in reply to your letter of last evening1 ,i have to say that the writer of the communication in the ,guardian1 to which you refer1 is one of the peaceable members of the ,methodist ,society1 whose character had been gratuitously and basely assailed by the ,editor of the ,patriot and his associate4 ,he is a poor man1 whose living depends upon his daily industry4 ,were he a rich man1 ,i might consult with him on the subject of your letter2 but being in those circumstances of life which disable him from sustaining himself against your wealth1 and relentless persecution1 ,i at once determine to shield him from your power4 ,i will not1 therefore1 furnish you with his name4 ,in the published paragraph of his communication1 the writer has asserted that certain things were published some time since in the ,patriot1 respecting the associate of its ,editor1 and an attempt was made to blast the character and prospects of several unoffending members of the ,methodist ,society--men1 the daily bread for whose families must be taken out of their mouths1 if the political or private character of their protectors is1 in times like the present1 believed to be what this associate has represented it to be4 ,these men do not1 like you1 get rich upon wars and rumours of wars2 their high church zeal would not1 like yours1 treble their business1 and bring them into possession of a tolerable fortune in a few years4 ,it is to blunt the assassinating dagger of a marked1 and hitherto privileged slanderer1 against the character of such men that ,i admitted the paragraph in question into the ,guardian4 ,if you are not the associate of the city ,editor in this crusade against the character of peaceable members of the ,methodist ,society1 then you are exonerated from the remarks in the letters1 and the columns of the ,guardian are open to you for any reparation you can desire4 ,notwithstanding your attacks upon both my public and private character for years past2 notwithstanding your late unprovoked attack upon my private character in a city newspaper2 notwithstanding your late indirect threats upon my life1 and the ,guardian office in the event of an invasion2 notwithstanding all this1 and much more1 ,i am still ready to open the columns of the ,guardian to you1 if you think that any kind of injustice has been done you4 ,the letter to which you refer1 mentions no name1 but adverts to an already published portrait of a certain character who is1 upon good grounds1 believed to be figuring behind the scenes in this high church warfare against ,methodists and others1 and who is known to be indiscriminately scattering firebrands1 arrows and death1 amongst all of ,her ,majesty's subjects who will not contribute to the profits of his newspaper craft in crying up his golden idol of a dominant church4 ,it is amusing to see you1 sir1 who have availed yourself so lavishly1 in all time past1 of the freedom of the press to assail others1 so sensitive at the mere suspicion of a mere report against causeless attacks upon private individuals1 having been intended for yourself4 ,dr4 ,ryerson concluded in the following vigorous language3-- ,sir1--,after having exhausted the resources of a free1 ,i may add a licentious press to destroy me1 with a view of extinguishing the principles of civil and religious liberty which ,i advocate1 you and your party now seek to have recourse to the glorious uncertainty of the law to accomplish what you cannot effect by free discussion before an intelligent public2 but ,i am not concerned at your threats4 ,i know the malice of the party of which you are a convenient1 active1 and useful tool2 ,i know its resources2 ,i know its power2 but ,i also know the ground on which ,i stand4 ,i know the country for whose welfare ,i am labouring2 above all1 ,i rely upon the wisdom and efficiency of that ,providence1 whose administration1 ,i believe1 if ,i can judge of the signs of the times1 has better things in store for the inhabitants of ,upper ,canada 7my native land7 than the despotism of a dominant oligarchy1 upheld and promoted by the persecuting1 the anti-,british1 and anti-patriotic spirit of such partizans as yourself4 ,rev4 ,matthew ,richey wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,cobourg1 in ,january1 #ahci1 stating that some of the leading ,methodists in ,montreal were inducing subscribers to give up the ,guardian1 on the alleged ground of some disloyal sentiments contained in that paper of the #abth ,december4#gc ,mr4 ,richey adds3-- ,i have written to a leading friend in ,montreal1 earnestly expostulating with him upon the precipitancy of such a course4 ,i have not failed to apprise him of the bitter hostility of the ,kingston ,chronicle1 the ,toronto ,patriot1 the ,cobourg ,star1 and ,the ,church1 to ,methodism1 and to say that1 did they read these papers1 they would not be surprised at the pungency with which you express yourself on the questions at issue between the arrayed parties of the ,province4 ,to intimate that the faithful discharge of your duty may expose you to gaol or gibbet 444 is not very complimentary to the freedom of the ,government under whose protection you are placed4 ,situated as you are in the burning centre of excitement1 and aware of the high hopes1 as well as high-handed measures of your opponents1 you have great need of patience1 and forbearance4 ,the leading ,methodists in ,montreal to whom ,rev4 ,matthew ,richey refers in the foregoing letter1 having written to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the subject of their complaint1 he replied to them1 on the #gth ,january1 as follows3-- ,your letter of the #bdth ult4 being rather unusual1 both in matter and form1 seems to demand more than a silent acknowledgment4 ,i shall have much pleasure in complying with your request2 but ,i should despise myself1 were ,i capable of making any reply to the allegation contained in your letter4 ,not a few of you impugned both my motives and principles in former years1 ,i have lived to furnish a practical commentary on your candour and justice1 by being the first to excite in the ,colonial ,office in ,england a determination to protect ,british interests in ,lower ,canada against ,french ambition and prejudice4 ,i may yet have an opportunity of furnishing a second similar commentary upon your second similar imputation4 ,it is true that ,i am not of the high church school of politics1 nor of the ,montreal ,herald school of bloodshed and ,french extermination2 but ,i1 nevertheless1 think there still remains another basis of ,scripture1 justice1 and humanity1 on which may rest the principles of a loyalty that will sacrifice life itself in the maintenance of ,british supremacy1 in perfect harmony with a vigorous support of the constitutional rights of the subject1--unmoved at one time by the fierce denunciations of revolutionists1 and unshaken at another time by the imputations of ultra-sycophantic partizanship4 ,twice have the leading members of the ,methodist ,society in ,montreal had the opportunity of insulting 7and if their influence could have done it1 of injuring7 me--and twice have they improved it1--in ,may1 #ahcd see page #adh1 when ,i was in ,montreal2 and in ,december1 #ahch--;a juncture when a stain might be inflicted upon the character and reputation of any vulnerable minister of the ,church that would tarnish his very grave4 ,it is a pleasing as well as singular circumstance1 and one that will be engraved upon the tablet of my heart while memory holds her seat1 that when in #ahcd ,i was insulted in ,montreal1 ,i was invited to preach in ,quebec2 and now that ,i am honoured from ,montreal a second time in a similar way1 ,i have this day received from ,quebec a second token of respect for my character and love to ,methodism of ten new subscribers to the ,guardian1 with a promise ere long of from ten to twenty more4#gd ,on the other hand1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the ,guardian of ,october #agth1 #ahch1 exposes the kind of warfare which was carried on against him by the high church party3-- ,i have been informed1 upon the authority of creditable eye witnesses1 that the number of the ,patriot which contained four or five columns of attacks on the ,editor of the ,guardian in his private and public relations1 has been carried from house to house for the edification of ,methodists2 that in one instance the wife of a rector had carried and read the ,patriot to members of the ,methodist ,church and friends of the ,editor1 and then asked if they could be led by such a man as ,egerton ,ryerson8 ,in the ,guardian of the #cast ,october1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3-- ,another example of this vicious and disgraceful mode of warfare is contained in a pamphlet published at the ,kingston ,chronicle office1 with a view of preventing the soldiers from deserting to the ,united ,states4444 ,i copy the following infamous passages1 purporting to be written by a deserter name and regiment not given3--,well1 ,i deserted4 ,ryerson never rested till he worked me up to the deed4 ,i was like a child in his hands--he led me as he pleased4444 ,it was only to get clear off1 and then the road to all that ,i ever wished for was open before me--so said ,ryerson1 etc4444 ,ryerson has two or three more on hand1 etc4 ,dr4 ,ryerson adds3-- ,i had marked other passages of a like character1 from the ,patriot1 the ,cobourg ,star1 and the ,statesman4444 ,such are the barbarous weapons used to pull down the religious liberties of the people of this ,province1 and to establish a church domination4 ,while ,dr4 ,ryerson was at the ,conference at ,hamilton1 in #ahci1 ,rev4 ,d4 ,mc,mullen1 of ,hillier1 in a letter to him1 said3-- ,i have read the ,guardian with some attention during the past year4 ,i believe the general principles of political1 civil1 and ecclesiastical policy advocated in it are such as must be supported and ultimately prevail1 or our country will be ruined4 ,yet1 while ,i admire the talent displayed by you1 it is still a question with me whether you1 as a ,methodist minister1 in conducting a religious journal1 are justifiable in going the lengths you do in discussions of a political character4 ,i know that your ability and your intimate acquaintance with the state of things in the country1 with parties1 and all the questions at issue1 etc41 render you a very competent person 7perhaps the most so of any other in the country7 to write on these subjects2 nor do ,i think that you ought to bury this talent1 but that through some other medium than the ,guardian1 you should employ it for the country's good1 and in a way that would occasion less dissatisfaction among our people1 and excite and stir up less bad feeling against us and you from without4 ,at the same ,conference1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received a strong letter of approval and encouragement from ,mr4 ,hugh ,moore1 a highly respected and active member of the ,church in ,dundas4 ,mr4 ,moore said3-- ,i came to ,hamilton this morning 7#acth ,june7 to see you and to strengthen your hands in the course that you have taken1 and are taking1 in the ,guardian4 ,i could not get an opportunity of seeing you1 so ,i take this way of assuring you of our hearty approbation and support1--as it is deemed necessary at this time to speak out4 ,go on2 you speak the language of our hearts4 ,i should have seen you at ,toronto on my way from ,montreal1 and have told you of the opinion and feelings of our community here1 but time would not permit4 ,it is worthy of note that the people are determined to support you4 ,may ,god aid and direct you and all that are with you6 ,equally hearty was a letter which ,dr4 ,ryerson received from ,rev4 ,john ,mc,intyre1 in ,september1 #ahci1ge inviting him to come and preach for him in ,perth4 ,in urging him to comply with the request1 ,mr4 ,mc,intyre said3-- ,if the day is favourable1 the people will assemble from all quarters4 ,i know myself of persons who intend to come about #bj miles to hear you4 ,you can have no idea of your popularity in this district1 although principally a military settlement4 ,methodists1 ,presbyterians1 ,roman ,catholics1 and moderate ,churchmen1 consider you1 as some ,presbyterians were pleased some time ago to style you1 ,the ,saviour of ,upper ,canada4 ,now1 to disappoint their just expectation would be almost unpardonable4 ,the people entertain so high an opinion of your abilities1 that 7as some have lately said7 you could speak with five minutes' notice on any subject4 ,i should be extremely sorry that they should ever hold any other opinion2 but1 at your departure from ,perth1 the people may say1 as the ,queen of ,sheba did on her visit to ,solomon1 ,it was a true report we heard of his acts1 and of his wisdom1 and behold the half was not told us4 ,rev4 ,g4 ,r4 ,sanderson1 also writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 said3-- ,i greatly regret these constant attacks upon you1 who have laboured so arduously and struggled so perseveringly for the good of our country1 and the settlement of the ,clergy ,reserves4 ,i am sure1 however1 that you will have the warmest thanks of all true friends of their country2 and that posterity will not withhold that praise which is due you for your indefatigable exertions4 ,i have already1 on page #aja1 inserted a kindly letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,rev4 ,william ,bell1 ,presbyterian minister1 expressive of his sympathy with the course pursued by the ,guardian on the ,clergy ,reserve and other questions4 ,the following letters of the same character were from parties outside of ,dr4 ,ryerson's own ,church4 ,thus in #ahci1 the ,congregational ,association of ,upper ,canada passed resolutions approving of ,dr4 ,ryerson's course--the last one of which was as follows3-- ,we express to the ,rev4 ,egerton ,ryerson our thanks for his able and persevering exertions to effect a settlement of the ,clergy ,reserve question1 and our determination to afford him any and every support in his endeavours that it may be in our power to render4 ,rev4 ,james ,noll in enclosing the resolutions said3-- ,i feel myself happy1 ,sir1 to be the medium of communicating to you the sentiments and feelings of my brethren at a time when you are insulted and abused as a public disturber1 a rebel1 and a political demagogue1 by those who are willing to sacrifice the peace1 and even risk the safety of the ,colony4444 ,allow me to assure you of my admiration of the fair1 spirited1 and able manner in which you have conducted this important and painful controversy4444 ,the cause you are advocating is closely identified with the cause of ,god4 ,your object is not only the temporal but spiritual welfare of your country1 and your friends are the great bulk of its loyal and well-disposed inhabitants4 ,rev4 ,john ,roaf 7,congregational71 of ,toronto1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,december1 #ahch1 said3-- ,i am desirous of not omitting one of my duties in relation to the ,church question1 and looking to you as the ,leader of the non-established parties1 am anxious to understand your views upon the rectory question4 ,should you also think of any other measure by which ,i and my immediate brethren can support the cause which you are so zealously and efficiently promoting1 or can assist in weakening the opposition to which you are subject1 ,i shall be happy in attending to your suggestions4 ,mr4 ,william ,greig 7,baptist71 ,bookseller1 ,montreal1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,june1 #ahci1 says3-- ,as an ardent friend to civil and religious liberty1 and an admirer of the course pursued by yourself as ,editor of the ,christian ,guardian1 ,i cannot but express my regret at seeing you assailed on all sides1 and especially by those for whose good you have been exerting yourself4 ,as a native of ,great ,britain1 ,i am fondly attached to her civil institutions1 and will yield in loyalty to no one4 ,i cannot1 therefore1 but approve of any lawful and fair measures which will tend to bring all denominations to that level1 that every one provide for itself4 ,i therefore say1 go on in your present course2 keep up the fire1 brisk and hot on the enemy1 till they are routed4 ,as ,i see several are withdrawing their subscriptions to the ,guardian1 the friends of civil and religious liberty1 of whatever denomination1 ought to come in and take their places4 ,although not a ,methodist1 please put me down as a subscriber to the ,guardian4 ,,footnotes3 #gb ,dr4 ,ryerson1 early in his controversial career1 adopted ,lord ,macaulay's motto3 ,no misrepresentation should be suffered to pass unrefuted4 ,we must remember that misstatements constantly reiterated1 and seldom answered1 will assuredly be believed4 #gc ,the article in the ,guardian to which reference is made1 is the reply of ,dr4 ,ryerson to several ,methodists in ,toronto who had signed the ,address of the ,british ,missionary party to the ,governor2 and who1 in a letter to him1 had repudiated the construction put upon the ,address by the ,patriot4 ,among other things the ,editor said3 ,the manly firmness with which the signers of this ,address have resisted the cunning wiles of ,egerton ,ryerson1 is a solemn pledge of their love and veneration for the glorious institution of the ,empire4444 ,thus ever thought we of ,british ,wesleyans2 and thus thinking was our impelling motive for persevering for the first three years of our editorial career1 in one incessant battering of the pernicious1 seditious principles of ,egerton ,ryerson2 the very first number of whose paper betrayed him to us1 flagrante delicto1 a pestilent and dangerous demagogue4444 ,if his ambition were as legitimate and praiseworthy as his talents are commanding1 he would be a far more valuable member of society than he can ever hope to be while hankering to return to the flesh pots of ,yankee ,episcopal ,methodism1 etc4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's reply was an elaborate defence of his opposition to the efforts of the ,patriot party to create a dominant ,church1 the application of the reserves to high church uses1 and the establishment of the fifty-seven rectories4 #gd ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,montreal1 #ast ,february1 #ahcf1 ,rev4 ,william ,lord said3--,rev4 ,anson ,green was here last week and preached4 ,an ,upper ,canada ,presiding ,elder preaching with acceptance in ,montreal6 ,who would have thought of such a thing when brother ,egerton ,ryerson and even brother ,joseph ,stinson were denied the pulpit6 #ge ,this gentlemen entered the ,methodist ministry in #ahce1 and joined the ,church of ,england in #ahda4 ,he died some years since4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 #aggh-ahfg4 ,the ,honourable and ,right ,reverend ,bishop ,strachan4 ,the ,venerable ,john ,strachan1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d41 ,archdeacon of ,york1 and subsequently 7#ahci-ahfg7 first ,bishop of ,toronto1 was the chief clerical opponent which ,dr4 ,ryerson encountered in the contest for religious freedom and denominational equality during nearly twenty years4 ,dr4 ,strachan was born in ,scotland1 in ,april1 #aggh1 and died at ,toronto1 in ,november #ahfg1 in the #ijth year of his age4 ,it was a singular coincidence that ,dr4 ,strachan entered the ministry of the ,church of ,england in ,may1 #ahjc1 just two months after ,dr4 ,ryerson was born4 ,who could then have foreseen the respective careers of these two remarkable men6 ,the one1 the virtual founder and administrative head of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada for upwards of #fj years2 and the other1 although not the founder1 yet the controlling head and leader of the ,methodist ,church in the ,province for nearly the same period4 ,dr4 ,strachan was an uncompromising high churchman4 ,his exclusive views on the priestly authority1 and the catholic and apostolic character of the ,church of ,england1 were those of a church optimist1 but they were not based upon any profound study of the subject1 as his own statement will attest4#gf ,it is interesting to note the causes which led ,dr4 ,strachan to cling so tenaciously to the idea of ,church and ,state--a union which he regarded as sacred1 and ordained of ,god for the maintenance of ,his cause and ,church on the earth4 ,it is no less interesting to understand the reason why ,dr4 ,ryerson as strenuously repudiated and resisted the practical application of the same idea to ,canada4 ,the reason in each case may be stated in a few words4 ,the one from early associations regarded the idea of ,scottish parish churches and parochial schools1 supported by the ,state1 as eminently ,scriptural1 if not divinely enjoined from the earliest ,jewish times4 ,the other was brought up in a land where such a state of things had never existed1 and where the pure gospel had been preached from the earliest times without the aid of a state endowment4 ,he lived in a land1 too1 where the command to the ,christian ,church was felt to be fitly expressed by ,john ,wesley1 to take the world as a parish and preach the ,gospel to every creature4 ,the manner in which this command was to be obeyed was indicated by our ,lord's example1 when ,he sent forth ,his disciples with this injunction3-- ,provide neither gold1 nor silver1 nor brass in your purses 444 for the workman is worthy of his meat4 ,matt4 x4 #i1 #aj4 ,members of the ,conference1 in ,dr4 ,ryerson's early days1 unhesitatingly obeyed the directions of the ,conference--many regarding it as the voice of ,god in the ,church--and went forth1 without scrip or purse1 everywhere1 even to the remotest corner of the land1 bearing the good tidings1 not considering their pecuniary interests1#gg or even their lives dear unto them1 so that they might win souls for the ,master4#gh ,dr4 ,strachan's views on the question of ,state aid to churches were clearly1 on the other hand1 the result of his observations1 in ,scotland4 ,they are prominently brought out in his memorable speech1 delivered in the ,legislative ,council1 on the #fth of ,march1 #ahbh4 ,he says3-- ,have not the ,methodists in this ,province 444 ever shown themselves the enemies of the ,established ,church8 ,are they not at this moment labouring to separate religion from the ,state1 with which it ought to be firmly united8444 ,has it not been the primary object of all enemies to regular government 444 to pull down religious establishments8444 ,if they tell me the ,ecclesiastical establishments are great evils1 ,i bid them look to ,england and ,scotland1 each of which has a religious establishment1 and to these establishments are they mainly indebted for their vast superiority to other nations4 ,to what but her ,established ,church1 and the ,parochial ,schools under her direction1 does ,scotland owe her high reputation for moral improvement4 7,pages #bg and #bh47 ,again1 in a remarkable letter to his friend 7,rev4 ,dr4 ,thomas ,chalmers1 of ,edinburgh#gi71 written in #ahcb1 on the ,life and ,character of ,bishop ,hobart of ,new ,york1 ,dr4 ,strachan relates a conversation with that ,bishop in which he took him severely to task for extolling the voluntary system of the ,american ,episcopal ,church as compared with the endowed ,state ,church of ,england4 ,i make a few extracts3-- ,let us look at the ,episcopal ,church of the ,united ,states1 and see what moral effect it can have on the population1 as a source of religious instruction4444 ,the influence of the two ,churches as confined to ,england and ,new ,york 7alone7 is as one to seventy4444 ,such influence on the manners and habits of the people in that state is next to nothing1 and yet you extol your ,church above that of ,england1 and exclaim against establishment6 ,add to this1 the dependence of your clergy upon the people for support--a state of things which is attended with most pernicious consequences 444 but in general1 the clergy of all denominations in the ,united ,states1 are miserably dependent upon their congregations4444 ,it is the duty of ,christian nations to constitute1 within their boundaries1 ecclesiastical establishments4444 ,for it is incumbent upon nations as upon individuals1 to honour the ,lord with their substance4 7,pages #da-dg47 ,bishop ,strachan's early and later writings abound in expressions of similar views4 ,it was not to be wondered at1 therefore1 that a man of his strong convictions would seek to give practical effect to them in dealing1 as opportunity offered1 with questions of church establishment and the clergy reserves4 ,it is true that by his persuasive words and strong personal influence--when the object was the financial benefit of the ,church--,bishop ,strachan rallied around him many of the leading members of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada who aided him in his plans for endowing the ,church out of the public domain4 ,yet it is also true that many equally sound churchmen were opposed to these schemes1 and saw in them the germ of a fatal canker1 which in time would be sure to destroy the ,church's missionary zeal1 and paralyze all of those noble and generous impulses which characterize a living ,church in the promotion of ,christian effort in the various departments of ,church work4#hj ,as time has passed on the little band of loyal churchmen1 who incurred the ,bishop's unmerited censure for opposing his exclusive schemes of ,church aggrandisement1 has increased to thousands in our day4 ,they deeply regret the success of those schemes1 and deprecate the existence of clergy reserves and rectory endowments as in themselves fatal to the healthy development of ,church work as an active and aggressive force in the ,christian life4 ,it is not necessary to refer here to ,bishop ,strachan's views in regard to ecclesiastical polity4 ,they are well known4 ,on this matter also many sound churchmen differed widely 7and still differ7 from his views4 ,yet ,bishop ,strachan1 while holding such strong and exclusive views1 was kindly disposed towards ,sectaries individually1 and lived on terms of personal friendship with many of those whose opinions were opposed to his on church questions4 ,in his ,legislative ,council speech1 already quoted1 he says3-- ,i have been charged with being hostile to the ,scotch ,church1 and with being an apostate from that communion4444 ,my hostility to the ,kirk of ,scotland consists in being on the most intimate terms with the late ,mr4 ,bethune and ,dr4 ,spark4444 ,to both these excellent men ,i willingly 444 pay a tribute of respect4444 ,nor have ,i ever missed an opportunity1 when in my power1 of being useful to the clergy of the ,church of ,scotland1 or of treating them with respect1 kindness1 and hospitality4 7,page #bb47 ,again1 in his sermon on ,church ,fellowship1 preached in #ahcb1 ,dr4 ,strachan says3-- ,widely as we differ from the ,roman ,catholics in many religious points of the greatest importance1 we have always lived with them in the kindest intercourse1 and in the cordial exchange of the charities of social life4 ,the worthy prelate1 by whom they are at present spiritually governed1 has been my friend for nearly thirty years4 ,with the members of the ,church of ,scotland we associate in the same manner4444#ha ,the merits of our sister ,church cannot be unknown to you1 my brethren4 ,to me they are familiar1 and connected with many of my cherished and early associations4444 ,of that popular and increasing class of ,christians the ,methodists1 who call themselves a branch of our ,church1 both at home and abroad1 ,i would speak with praise4 7,pages #bc-be47 ,as to his relations with ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,i here insert two notes from the ,bishop to him4 ,the first is dated ,february #gth1 #ahch1 as follows3-- ,the ,archdeacon of ,york presents his compliments to the ,rev4 ,e4 ,ryerson1 and begs to acknowledge with satisfaction his courtesy in sending him a copy of his excellent sermon on the ,recent ,conspiracy1 which the ,archdeacon has read with much pleasure and profit4 ,such doctrines1 if generally diffused among our people1 cannot fail of producing the most beneficial effects1 both spiritual and temporal4 ,the second related to the calamity which had befallen the ,church of ,england congregation of ,st4 ,james1 in the destruction of its church building by fire early in ,january1 #ahci4 ,dr4 ,ryerson at once wrote to the ,archdeacon offering him the use of the ,newgate 7,adelaide ,street7 ,church4 ,on the #fth ,january1 ,dr4 ,strachan replied as follows3-- ,i thank you most sincerely for the kind sympathy you express in the sad calamity that has befallen us1 and for your generous offer of accommodation4 ,before your note reached me1 ,i had made arrangements with the ,mayor1 for the ,town ,hall1 which we can occupy at our accustomed hours of worship1 without disturbing any other congregation4 ,i and my people are not the less grateful for your kind offer1 which we shall keep in brotherly remembrance4 ,in his ,charge to the ,clergy in #ahec1 and again in #ahef1 he pays a personal tribute to ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,in the later ,charge1 speaking of the ,school system1 he says3-- ,so far as ,dr4 ,ryerson is concerned1 ,i am one of those who appreciate very highly his exertions1 his unwearied assiduity1 and his administrative capacity4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's last reference to the ,bishop is contained in the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 written in #ahhj1 as follows3 ,upwards of fifty years have passed away since my criticisms on ,dr4 ,strachan's ,sermon on the death of the ,bishop of ,quebec were written4 ,on the re-perusal of them1 after the lapse of so long a time1 the impression on my own mind is that ,dr4 ,strachan was honest in his statements and opinions4444 ,he was more moderate and liberal in his views and feelings in his later years1 and became the personal friend of his old antagonist1 ,the ,reviewer1 who1 he said1 had fought fair4 7,page #ade47 ,,footnotes3 #gf ,my mother 7he said7 belonged to the ,relief denomination4444 ,my father was attached to the ,non-,jurants2 and although he went occasionally with my mother1 he was a frequent hearer of ,bishop ,skinner1 to whose church he was in the habit of carrying me4 ,he died when ,i was very young1 but not before my mind was impressed in favour of ,episcopacy4444 ,i readily confess1 that in respect to ,church ,government1 my principles were sufficiently vague and unformed2 for to this important subject my attention was never particularly drawn till ,i came to this country1 when my venerated friend1 the late ,dr4 ,stewart1 of ,kingston1 urged me to enter the ,church1 and as ,i had never yet communicated1 that excellent person1 whom ,i loved as a father1 admitted me to the altar a little before ,i went to ,quebec to take holy orders1 in #ahjc4 ,before ,i had determined to enter the ,church of ,england1 ,i was induced by the advice of another friend 7the late ,mr4 ,cartwright7 444 to make some inquiries respecting the ,presbyterian ,church of ,montreal1 then vacant4 7,dr4 ,strachan's ,speech in the ,legislative ,council1 ,march #fth1 #ahbh1 pages #be1 #bf47 #gg ,the stipends of ,methodist ministers in those days were very small4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,john ,carroll tells me that the quarterage payable to an unmarried ,methodist minister in ,america1 at first1 was only #fj per annum2 then it was increased to #hj1 at which rate it remained until #ahaf1 when the ,general ,conference fixed it at #ajj1 at which it remained until #ahed4 ,the rule for a married minister was double that for a single man1 and #af for each child4 ,besides quarterage1 there was an allowance for travelling and table expenses4 ,two hundred dollars was the sum for salary1 besides travelling and aid expenses1 allowed to a minister up to #ahed1 and even then this sum was rarely ever paid in full4--,h4 #gh ,rev4 ,h4 ,wilkinson in a note to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in #ahcg1 thus describes the kind of places to which some ministers had to be sent1 and their duties and qualifications when there4 ,he said3 ,i require a man for a mission which lies about #bjj miles from ,bytown1 up the ,grand ,river 7,ottawa71 and which will be difficult of access in the winter4 ,a suitable person could make his way northwards with some of the rude lumbermen1 who now and then go up in companies4 ,the brother would need to be strong in mind and body1 and fervent in spirit4 ,he would need to go on foot1 and paddle a canoe1 or row a boat1 as the case might be1 and thus reach his appointments in the best way he can4 #gi ,while in the vicinity of ,st4 ,andrews ,i contracted several important friendships1 amongst others1 with ,thomas ,duncan1 afterwards ,professor of ,mathematics1 and also with ,dr4 ,chalmers1 since then so deservedly renowned4 ,we were all three very nearly of the same age1 and our friendship only terminated with death1 being kept alive by a constant correspondence during more than sixty years4 7,bishop ,strachan's ,charge to his ,clergy1 ,june1 #ahfj2 page #aj47 #hj ,speaking of the passage of a ,clergy ,reserve ,bill in #ahdj1 to which the ,bishop of ,toronto was strongly opposed1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3 ,a considerable majority of the members of the ,church of ,england in both ,houses of the ,legislature voted for the ,bill1 and were afterwards charged by the ,bishop with defection and treachery for doing so4 ,on this point1 ,lord ,sydenham1 in a despatch to ,lord ,john ,russell1 dated1 #eth ,february1 #ahdj1 said3 ,it is notorious to every one here1 that of twenty-two members 7being communicants of the ,church of ,england7 who voted upon this bill1 only eight recorded their opinion in favour of the views expressed by the ,right ,reverend ,prelate1 whilst1 in the ,legislative ,council the majority was still greater2 and amongst those who gave it their warmest support1 are to be found many gentlemen of the highest character for independence1 and for attachment to the ,church1 and whose views on general politics differ from those of ,her ,majesty's ,government4 7,dr4 ,ryerson's ,criticism on ,bishop ,strachan's letter to ,lord ,john ,russell1 dated1 ,february #bjth1 #ahea47 #ha ,these kindly words the ,bishop repeated in substance to the ,editor some years since1 when talking with him on the subject4--,h4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 #agia-ahcf4 ,the ,clergy ,reserves and ,rectories ,questions4 ,the discussion of the ,clergy ,reserve ,question enters so largely into the ,story of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,life1 that ,i give in this chapter a short1 condensed sketch of its origin and history down to #ahcg-ch4 ,the remainder of the sketch will be developed in an account of the contest preceding the settlement of the question in subsequent chapters4 ,after the conquest of ,canada1 in #agfj1 the right of the ,roman ,catholic inhabitants to enjoy their religion was guaranteed to them in the ,treaty of ,paris1 ,feb4 #ajth1 #agfc4 ,in #aggd1 an ,act was passed by the ,british ,parliament 7#ad ,geo4 ,,iii41 ch4 #hc7 by which the right to their accustomed dues and tithes was secured to the clergy of the ,church of ,rome in the then ,province of ,quebec 7including what was afterwards ,upper and ,lower ,canada74 ,the same ,act provided for the encouragement of the ,protestant religion1 and1 for the support of a ,protestant clergy1 by other tithes and dues4#hb ,in #agia1 the ,province of ,quebec was divided into ,upper and ,lower ,canada1 and1 in an ,act introduced into the ,british ,parliament by ,mr4 ,pitt1 provision was made for their government4 ,sections #ce-db of that ,act dealt with the maintenance and support of a ,protestant ,clergy1 and this provision 7#a7 allotted one-seventh of all lands which might be hereafter granted by the ,king for settlement2 and 7#b7 gave authority for the erection of parsonages or rectories1 according to the establishment of the ,church of ,england1 to be endowed out of the lands so allotted1 etc4 7,sec4 #ch74 ,the alleged reasons which induced ,george ,,iii4 to make provision for the support of religion in the ,north ,american ,colonies1 are set forth1 so far as they related to the ,protestant religion1 by the late ,bishop ,strachan in a pamphlet which he published in ,england in #ahbg4hc ,he mentions the fact that ,great ,britain1 of all ,european nations1 had hitherto made no provision for religious instruction in her colonies4 ,he further states that3-- ,the effect of this was that emigrants belonging to the ,established ,church who settled in ,america1 not having access to their own religious ministrations1 became frequently dissenters2 and when the ,colonies 7now the ,united ,states7 rebelled1 there was not1 among a population of nearly #c1jjj1jjj1 a single prelate1 and but very few ,episcopal clergymen4 ,the folly of this policy was shown in the strongest light during the rebellion2 almost all of the ,episcopal clergy and their congregations remained faithful to the ,king1 demonstrating by their conduct1 that had proper care been taken to promote a religious establishment in connection with that of ,england1 the revolution would not have taken place4#hd ,aware of the pernicious effects of this narrow and unchristian policy1 and sensible that the colonial ought to be attached to the parent state by religious1 as well as by political feelings1 the great ,mr4 ,pitt determined 7in forming a constitution for the ,canadas7 to provide for the religious instruction of the people1 and to lay the foundation of an ,ecclesiastical ,establishment which should increase with the settlement4 ,to accomplish this noble purpose1 ,mr4 ,pitt advised that one-seventh of the lands should be set apart for the maintenance of a ,protestant ,clergy4 ,in ,upper ,canada this appropriation comprises one-seventh of the whole province3 but in ,lower ,canada1 one-seventh of those parts only which have been granted since #agia 7pages #b1 #c74he ,in a pamphlet published at ,kingston1 ,u4,c41 during the previous year1 the substance of ,mr4 ,pitt's remarks on that part of the ,bill which authorized the setting apart of these lands1 is given as follows3-- ,mr4 ,pitt 7,house of ,commons1 #abth ,may1 #agia71 said that he gave the ,colonial ,government and ,council power1 under the instructions of ,his ,majesty1 to distribute out of a sum arising from the tithes for land or possessions1 and set apart for the maintenance and support of a ,protestant clergy4 ,another clause 7he said7 provided1 for the permanent support of the ,protestant clergy1 a seventh portion of the lands to be granted in future4 ,he declared that the meaning of the ,act was to enable the ,governor to endow and to present the ,protestant clergy of the established church to such parsonage or rectory as might be constituted or erected within every township or parish1 which now was1 or might be formed2 and to give to such ,protestant clergyman of the established church1 a part1 or the whole1 as the ,governor thought proper1 of the lands appropriated by the ,act4 ,he further explained that this was done to encourage the established church2 and that possibly hereafter it might be proposed to send a ,bishop of the established church to sit in the ,legislative ,council4 7,parl4 ,reg41 vol4 #bi1 pp4 #dad1 #dae47hf ,mr4 ,fox was entirely opposed to these arrangements4 ,he said3 ,by the ,protestant clergy1 he supposed to be understood not only the clergy of the ,church of ,england1 but all descriptions of ,protestants4444 ,that the clergy should have one-seventh of all grants1 he must confess1 appeared to him an absurd doctrine4 ,if they were all of the ,church of ,england1 this would not reconcile him to the measure4 ,the greater part of these ,protestant clergy were not of the ,church of ,england2 they were chiefly ,protestant dissenters4444 ,we were1 by this ,bill1 making a sort of provision for the ,protestant clergy of ,canada of one-seventh of the land which was unknown to them in every part of ,europe2 a provision1 in his apprehension1 which would rather tend to corrupt than to benefit them4 7,hansard1 vol4 #bi1 #agia1 page #ajh47 ,i have carefully gone through the whole of the debate on this subject1 but ,i cannot find one word in it which would indicate that ,mr4 ,pitt1 ,mr4 ,fox1 or ,mr4 ,burke 7the chief speakers71 entertained the idea that endowing the clergy had any political significance as a precautionary measure for ensuring the loyalty of the inhabitants4 ,the opinion was expressed that setting apart these lands was the most feasible way 7as ,mr4 ,pitt said7 of providing for the permanent support of the ,protestant clergy1 and of giving them a competent income4#hg ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,moore1 ,archbishop of ,canterbury1 dated ,december1 #agij1 ,col4 ,j4 ,graves ,simcoe said3-- ,i am decidedly of opinion that a regular ,episcopal establishment 444 is absolutely necessary in any extensive colony which ,england means to preserve1 etc4 ,the neglect of this principle of overturning republicanism in former periods1 by giving support and assistance to those causes which are perpetually offering themselves to affect so necessary an object1 is much to be lamented2 but it is my duty to be as solicitous as possible1 that they may now have their due influence1 etc4 ,in a ,memoir written by ,governor ,simcoe in #agia1 he said3 ,in regard to the ,episcopal establishment 444 ,i firmly believe the present to be a critical moment1 in which that system1 so interwoven and connected with the monarchical foundation of our government1 may be productive of the most permanent and extensive benefits1 in preserving the connection between ,great ,britain and her ,colonies4 ,from various sources ,i gather the following particulars3-- ,from #agia to #ahai1 the ,clergy ,reserves were in the hands of the ,government1 and managed by it alone4 ,for years they yielded scarcely enough to defray the expenses of management4 ,in #ahag the ,house of ,assembly objected to such an appropriation for the clergy1 as beyond all precedent lavish1 and complained that the reservations were an obstacle to improvement and settlement4 ,in #ahai1 lands were taxed for the construction of roads1 and it was contended that the reservations on the public roads should also be taxed4 ,in #ahai1 the question was first mooted1 as to the right of ,presbyterians to share in the reserves4 ,in ,march1 of that year1 thirty-seven ,presbyterians of the town of ,niagara1 petitioned ,sir ,peregrine ,maitland1 to grant to the ,presbyterian congregation there1 the annual sum of #ajj in aid1 out of the clergy reserves1 or out of any other fund at the ,governor's disposal4 ,in transmitting this petition to the ,colonial ,secretary for instructions1 ,sir ,p4 ,maitland mentioned that the actual product of the clergy reserves is about #gjj per annum4 ,in ,may1 #ahbj1 a reply was received from ,lord ,bathurst1 stating that1 in the opinion of the ,crown officers1 the provisions of the ,act of #agia1 for the support of the ,protestant clergy1 are not confined solely to the clergy of the ,church of ,england1 but may be extended also to the clergy of the ,church of ,scotland1 but not to dissenting ministers4 ,in #ahai1 on the application of ,bishop ,mountain1 of ,quebec1 the clergy in each province were incorporated for the purpose of leasing and managing the reserves--the proceeds1 however1 to be paid over to the ,government4 ,on the appearance of a notice to this effect in the ,quebec ,gazette1 dated1 #acth ,june1 #ahbj1 the clergy of the ,church of ,scotland memorialized the ,king for a share in these reserves4 ,in #ahbc1 the ,house of ,assembly1 on motion of ,hon4 ,william ,morris1 concurred in a series of resolutions1 asserting the right of the ,church of ,scotland in ,canada to a share in the reserves4 ,these resolutions were rejected by the ,legislative ,council1 by a vote of #f to #e4 ,in ,april1 #ahbd1 ,dr4 ,strachan was deputed by the ,bishop of ,quebec and ,sir ,p4 ,maitland1 to go to ,england and get authority from ,lord ,bathurst to sell portions of the reserves4 ,in the meantime1 the ,canada 7,land7 ,company proposed to purchase all the ,crown and ,clergy ,reserve ,lands at a valuation to be agreed on4 ,the clergy corporation having desired a voice in this valuation1 the ,bishop of ,quebec deputed ,archdeacon ,mountain to press this view on ,lord ,bathurst4 ,some misunderstanding having arisen between ,lord ,bathurst and ,archdeacon ,strachan1 and the ,canada ,land ,company1 ,dr4 ,strachan went to ,england in ,april1 #ahbf1 and was deputed by ,lord ,bathurst to arrange the differences with ,mr4 ,john ,galt1 ,commissioner of the ,company4 ,this they did by changing the original plan4 ,the clergy lands were exchanged for #a1jjj1jjj acres in the ,huron tract4 ,out of the moneys received from the ,canada ,company the ,home ,government appropriated #gjj a year to the ,church of ,scotland clergy1#hh and the same amount to the clergy of the ,church of ,rome in ,upper ,canada4 ,in ,june1 #ahbf1 the ,home ,government1 on the memorial of the ,church of ,scotland ,general ,assembly1 and an address from the ,house of ,assembly1 founded on the resolutions of #ahbc 7which1 as introduced1 had been rejected by the ,legislative ,council71 acknowledged the rights of the ,church of ,scotland clergy to a share of the reserves4 ,in ,january1 #ahbf1 the ,house of ,assembly memorialized the ,king to distribute the proceeds of the reserves for the benefit of all denominations1 or failing that to the purposes of education and the general improvement of the ,province4 ,the reply to this memorial was so unsatisfactory that the ,house of ,assembly 7,december #bbnd1 #ahbf71 adopted a series of eleven resolutions1 deprecating the action of the ,home ,government in appropriating the clergy reserves to individuals connected with the ,church of ,england to the exclusion of other denominations--that church bearing a very small proportion to the number of other ,christians in the province4 ,the ,assembly prayed that the proceeds of the reserves be applied to the support of district and common schools1 a ,provincial seminary1 and in aid of erecting places of worship for all denominations of ,christians4 ,these resolutions passed by majorities of from #be to #cj2 the nays being #b and #c only4 ,the bill founded on these resolutions was negatived in the ,legislative ,council 7,january1 #ahbg74 ,in the year #ahbf1 ,dr4 ,strachan obtained a royal charter for ,king's ,college1 with an endowment of #bbe1jjj acres of land1 and a grant of #a1jjj for sixteen years4 ,this charter was wholly in favour of the ,church of ,england1 and its obnoxious clauses remained unchanged until #ahce4 ,in ,march1 #ahbg1 ,hon4 ,r4 ,w4 ,horton introduced a ,bill into ,parliament to provide for the sale of the clergy lands1 as asked for by the ,bishop of ,quebec4 ,this led to a protracted discussion between the friends in the ,house of the ,english and ,scotch ,churches1 and requests were made for information on the state of these ,churches in ,upper ,canada4 ,archdeacon ,strachan1 then in ,england1 furnished this information in his famous letter and ,chart1 dated1 ,may #afth1 #ahbg4 ,objection to giving the clergy corporation power to sell these lands having been made1 ,mr4 ,horton withdrew his original bill1 and in a new one1 which was passed1 confined the exercise of this power to the ,executive ,government4 ,in ,march1 #ahbh1 the ,house of ,assembly memorialized the ,king to place the proceeds of the reserves at the disposal of the ,house for the purposes of education and internal improvement4 ,mr4 ,morris' motion to strike out internal improvement was lost4 ,in this year a committee of the ,house of ,commons reported against continuing the reservation in mortmain of the clergy lands1 as it imposed serious obstacles to the improvement of the colony4 ,in #ahbi1 two despatches on the clergy reserve question were sent to the ,colonial ,secretary by ,sir ,john ,colborne4 ,in one1 dated #aath ,april1 ,sir ,john says3 ,if a more ardent zeal be not shown by the ,established ,church1 and a very different kind of minister than that which is generally to be found in this ,province sent out from ,england1 it is obvious that the members of the ,established ,church will be inconsiderable1 and that it will continue to lose ground4 ,the ,methodists1 apparently1 exceed the number of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland4444 ,if the ,wesleyan ,methodists in ,england could be prevailed on to supply this ,province with preachers1 the ,methodists of this country would become1 as a political body1 of less importance than they are at present4 ,in this year the ,house of ,assembly passed a bill similar to that of #ahbh4 ,it was rejected1 as in the previous year1 by the ,legislative ,council4 ,in #ahcj1 the same proceedings were repeated with like result4 ,in ,december1 #ahcj 7see page #aja71 a monster petition was agreed to1 and afterwards signed by #aj1jjj persons and sent to ,england1 praying that steps be taken to leave the ministers of all denominations to be supported by the people among whom they labour and the voluntary contributions of benevolent ,societies in ,canada and ,great ,britain--to do away with all political distinctions on account of religious faith--to remove all ministers of religion from seats and places of political power in the ,provincial ,government--to grant to the clergy of all denominations the enjoyment of equal rights and privileges in everything that appertains to them as ,british subjects and as ministers of the ,gospel1 particularly the right of solemnizing matrimony--to modify the charter of ,king's ,college1 so as to exclude all sectarian tests and preferences--and to appropriate the proceeds of the sale of the lands1 heretofore set apart for the support of a ,protestant ,clergy1 to the purposes of general education and various internal improvements4 ,such was the comprehensive character of the reforms prayed for in this province upwards of fifty years ago4 ,all of these reforms have been long since granted2 but the enumeration of them shows how far off the mass of the people and their ministers were then from the enjoyment of the civil and religious privileges which are now the birthright of every ,british subject in ,canada4 ,this programme of reforms will also show what were the principles for which ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and other pioneers of religious freedom in ,upper ,canada1 had to contend half a century ago4 ,nor was the victory easily won which they achieved4 ,the struggle was a long and arduous one4 ,each step was contested by the dominant party1 and every reform was resisted with a determination worthy of a better cause4 ,in ,march #ahca1 the first attempt was made 7on motion of ,mr4 ,hagerman7 to deprive the ,canadian ,legislature of the power to deal with the clergy reserve question4 ,his motion was to revest the reserves in the crown for religious purposes1 but it was negatived by a vote of #cj to #g4 ,although defeated now1 the same proposition was frequently made afterwards1 and at length with success4 ,in #ahci a provision of that kind was passed1 but it failed on technical grounds to receive the royal assent4 ,see chapter xxxi4 ,in #ahca and #ahcb1 addresses to the ,king were adopted by the ,house of ,assembly praying1 as before1 that the reserves be applied to educational purposes4 ,in this year a satisfactory reply from the ,home ,government1 in regard to the clergy reserve question1 was communicated to the ,legislature1 and it was invited to consider the desirability of exercising its power to vary or repeal certain provisions for the support of a ,protestant ,clergy4 ,in #ahcb and in #ahcc1 bills to revest the clergy reserve lands in the ,crown were read a second time1 and1 in #ahcd1 one to that effect was finally passed1 but was rejected by the ,legislative ,council4 ,a bill for the sale of the reserves and the application of the proceeds to educational purposes1 was passed in #ahce1 by a vote of #dj to #d1 but was again rejected by the ,legislative ,council4 ,this body in the same year proposed that both ,houses should abdicate their functions in regard to the reserves 7as they were unable to concur in any measure on the subject71 and request the ,imperial ,parliament to legislate on the subject6 ,the ,house of ,assembly peremptorily refused1 by a vote of two to one1 to concur in such a proposition1 and read a dignified lecture to the ,council on its refusal to pass their measures1 or to originate one of its own4 ,the members of the ,assembly felt that the influence of the ,governor and the members of the ,council would be so potent in ,england1 that by it the wishes of the people of ,upper ,canada1 as repeatedly expressed by that ,house1 would be frustrated4#hi ,in #ahcf1 the bill of the previous year was passed by the ,assembly by a majority of #ce to #e4 ,the ,legislative ,council amended it so as to leave the matter as before with the ,british ,parliament4 ,this amendment was defeated by the ,house of ,assembly by a vote of #bg to #a1 and so the matter ended4 ,in #ahcg-ch the rebellion took place1 leaving the clergy reserve question in abeyance for some time4 ,on the #aeth ,january1 #ahcf1 ,sir ,john ,colborne1 by order in council1 established fifty-seven rectories in ,upper ,canada1 and endowed them out of the clergy reserve lands4 ,this was done at the last moment1 and while the successor of ,sir ,john ,colborne 7,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head7 was on his way from ,new ,york to ,toronto4 ,so great was the haste in which this act was done1 that only #dd out of the #eg patents were signed by the retiring ,governor2 so that only that number of rectories were actually endowed4 ,there is no doubt but that the ,constitutional ,act of #agia authorized not only the setting apart of the clergy reserves1 but also the erection of parsonages and rectories according to the establishment of the ,church of ,england1 to be endowed out of the lands so allotted4 7,sec4 #ch74 ,but1 in ,lord ,glenelg's opinion1 the subject was never submitted for the signification of the ,king's pleasure thereon4 ,certain ambiguous words1 in ,lord ,ripon's reply to a private communication from ,sir ,john ,colborne1 was the authority relied upon for the hasty and unpopular act of the retiring ,governor4 ,the legality of the act was frequently questioned1 but it was finally affirmed by the ,court of ,chancery in ,upper ,canada in #ahef4 ,the judgment in the case of the ,attorney-,general vs4 ,grasett was that-- ,under the statute #ca1 ,geo4 ,,iii41 ch4 #ca1 and the ,royal ,commission1 ,sir ,john ,colborne1 the ,lieutenant-,governor of ,upper ,canada1 had authority to create and endow rectories without further instructions4 ,,footnotes3 #hb ,these tithes continued to be collected for the support of a ,protestant ,clergy until ,february1 #ahbc1 when a declaratory ,act1 passed by the ,legislature of ,upper ,canada in #ahba1 was sanctioned by the ,king to the effect that hereafter no tithes shall be claimed1 demanded1 or received by any ecclesiastical parson1 rector or vicar1 of the ,protestant ,church within this ,province4 #hc ,observations on the ,provision made for the ,maintenance of a ,protestant ,clergy in the ,provinces of ,upper and ,lower ,canada1 under the #cast ,geo4 ,,iii41 cap4 #ca4 ,by ,john ,strachan1 ,d4,d41 ,archdeacon of ,york1 ,upper ,canada1 pp4 #dd4 ,london1 #ahbg4 #hd ,in a letter written by ,dr4 ,ryerson in #ahea1 he criticised a similar statement then made by ,bishop ,strachan4 ,he pointed out that ,washington and other leaders of the revolution were staunch churchmen4 #he ,in no part of ,mr4 ,pitt's remarks on the ,bill setting apart land for the ,protestant ,clergy do ,i find any intimation of the kind mentioned by ,bishop ,strachan4 ,governor ,simcoe1 however1 held these views1 which by mistake the ,bishop may have attributed to ,mr4 ,pitt4 7,see next page47--,h4 #hf ,an ,apology for the ,church of ,england in the ,canadas1 etc4 ,by a ,protestant of the ,established ,church of ,england4 ,kingston1 ,u4,c41 #ahbf1 page #aa4 #hg ,it was in the discussion on this ,bill that the long personal friendship which had existed between ,fox and ,burke was brought to an abrupt termination4--,h4 #hh ,in #ahcj1 ,presbyterian ministers not of the ,church of ,scotland1 were1 on petition to that effect 7signed by ,rev4 ,w4 ,smart1 ,moderator1 and ,rev4 ,w4 ,bell1 ,presbytery ,clerk71 placed on the same footing as the ministers of the ,kirk4--,h4 #hi ,this was abundantly proved afterwards4 ,in the following ,parliament an amended bill was carried1 by a majority of one vote1 in the ,house of ,assembly to place the proceeds of the reserves at the disposal of the ,british ,parliament4 ,petitions were at once sent to the ,queen to induce her to assent to this bill1 and the ,bishop went to ,england to present them4 ,sir ,george ,arthur also lent his aid for the same object4 ,the scheme failed1 however1 on technical grounds1 but was successfully revived the next year4 7,see ,guardian #ast ,january1 #ahdj1 and page #bdi47--;,h4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 #ahch4 ,the ,clergy ,reserve ,controversy ,renewed4 ,the question at issue1 when the ,house of ,assembly was elected in #ahcf for the parliamentary term ending in #ahci1 was adroitly narrowed by ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head to the simple one of loyalty to the ,crown1 or--as ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in a letter to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper 7,september1 #ahch71 expressed it--,whether or not 444 this ,province would remain an integral part of the ,british ,empire4 ,lord ,durham pointed out that ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head led the people to believe that they were called upon to decide the question of separation from ,great ,britain by their votes4 ,under such circumstances the clergy reserve question was subordinated to those of graver moment4 ,besides1 even if pledges had been given by members before the election on the subject1 they were not felt1 as the event proved1 to be very sacred4 ,speaking of this ,parliament1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in his letter to ,mr4 ,draper1 7already mentioned71 said3-- ,the present ,assembly at its first session adopted a resolution in favour of appropriating the reserves for the religious and moral instruction of the ,province4 ,but its proceedings during the second session were so vacillating that it is now difficult to say what the opinions of the members are4 ,one explanation of this state of feeling was1 that the political views of a majority of the members were in harmony with those of the ruling party in the country1 and yet were at variance with the views of their constituents on the clergy reserve question4 ,advantage was taken of the existence of this political sympathy by the leaders of the dominant party1 with a view to secure the removal of the clergy reserve question from the hostile arena of the ,upper ,canada ,legislature to the friendly atmosphere of the ,english ,house of ,commons1 and the still more friendly tribunal of the ,house of ,lords--where the bench of bishops would be sure to defend the claims of the ,church to this royal patrimony4#ij ,accordingly1 at the third session of this ,parliament1 ,mr4 ,cartwright1 of ,kingston1 introduced a bill to revest the ,clergy ,reserves in ,her ,majesty--the first reading of which was carried by a vote of #bd to #e1 and passed through ,committee of the whole by a vote of #bi to #ab4 ,as soon as ,dr4 ,ryerson1 then in ,kingston1 got a copy of this bill he wrote the following letter1 on the #acth ,january1 #ahch1 to the ,guardian3-- ,the professed object of this bill is described by its title1 but the real object1 and the necessary effect of it1 from the very nature of its provisions1 is to apply the reserves to those exclusive and partial purposes against which the great majority of the inhabitants of this province1 both by petition and through their representatives1 have protested in every variety of language during the last twelve years--and that without any variation or the shadow of change4 ,the bill even proposes to transfer future legislation on this subject from the ,provincial to the ,imperial ,parliament6 ,the authors of this bill are1 it seems1 afraid to trust the inhabitants of ,upper ,canada to legislate on a subject in which they themselves are solely concerned2 nay1 they will environ themselves and the interests they wish to promote behind the ,imperial ,parliament6 ,the measure itself1 containing the provisions it does1 is a shameful deception upon the ,canadian public--is a wanton betrayal of ,canadian rights--is a disgraceful sacrifice of ,canadian1 to selfish party interests--is a covert assassination of a vital principle of ,canadian constitutional and free government--is a base political and religious fraud which ought to excite the deep concern and rouse the indignant and vigorous exertion of every friend of justice1 and freedom1 and good government in the country4 ,my language may be strong2 but strong as it is1 it halts far behind the emotions of my mind4 ,such a measure1 ,i boldly affirm1 is not what the people of ,upper ,canada expected from the members of the present ,assembly when they elected them as their representatives2 it is not such a measure as1 ,i have reason to believe1 a majority of the present members of the ,assembly gave their constituents to understand they would vote for when they solicited their suffrages4 ,honourable gentlemen1 if ,i can be heard by them1 ought to remember that they have a character to sustain1 more important than the attainment of a particular object2 they ought to remember that they act in a delegated capacity2 and if they cannot clear their consciences and maintain the views and interests of their constituents1 they ought1 as many an honest ,english gentleman has done1 to resign their seats in the legislature2 they ought to remember to whom and under what expectations they owe their present elevation2 above all1 they ought to remember what the equal and impartial interests of their whole constituency require at their hands4 ,if1 however1 every pledge or honourable understanding should be violated2 if every reasonable hope should be disappointed2 and if the loyal and deserving inhabitants of ,upper ,canada should be deceived1 and disappointed1 and wronged by the passage of this bill into a law1 petitions ought to be circulated in every part of the province to ,her ,majesty the ,queen to withhold the royal assent from the bill2 and ,i hereby pledge #ej 7if ,i have to sell my library to obtain the amount7 for the promotion of that object4 ,such an act1 under the present circumstances of the country1 would be worse than a former alien bill1 and ought to be deprecated1 resisted1 and execrated by every enlightened friend of the peace1 happiness1 and prosperity of the ,province4 ,in reply to a letter from ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson1 urging him to come to ,toronto and oppose this bill1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,for me to leave ,kingston1 under present circumstances1 and go to ,toronto would ruin my ministerial influence and usefulness here and blast all our present hopes of prosperity4 ,you know that by my continued and repeated absence1 ,i have already lost fifty per cent4 in the confiding hopes of the people1 and consequently in very power of doing them good4 ,you know1 likewise1 that the financial interests of the ,society have so lamentably declined that we are already largely in arrears4 ,i cannot1 therefore1 leave1 unless ,i am positively required to do so by the ,book ,committee4 ,a more serious aspect of the matter1 however1 was presented to ,dr4 ,ryerson in the extraordinary silence of the ,conference organ on the subject4 ,in the same letter he said3-- ,i cannot but feel deeply grieved at not only the tameness but the profound silence of the ,guardian on this bill4 ,silence on such a measure1 and at such a time1 and after the course we have pursued hitherto1 is acquiescence in it to all intents and purposes1 and may be fairly and legitimately construed so by both friends and enemies4 ,oh1 is it so8 ,can it be so1 that the ,editor of the ,guardian has got so completely into the leading strings of that churchism which is as poisonous in its feelings towards us1 and its plans respecting us1 as the simoon blast2 that he will see measures going forward1 which he must know are calculated1 nay1 intended1 to trample us in the dust1 and not even say one word1 except in praise 7as often as possible71 of the very men who he sees from day to day plotting our overthrow6 ,i have also observed1 in ,dr4 ,strachan's letters to ,hon4 ,wm4 ,morris1 an attack upon ,lord ,glenelg1 the ,colonial ,secretary--such a one as would enable us to turn to our account on the clergy reserve question 7and against ,dr4 ,strachan's exclusive system7 the entire influence of ,her ,majesty's ,government1 which would have great weight both in and out of the ,house of ,assembly4 ,how ,i have heard ,dr4 ,bunting1 ,mr4 ,beecham1 and other members of the ,committee at home1 say that ,lord ,glenelg is one of the best and ablest men of the present day4 ,at all events1 after what we have obtained through his ,lordship's instrumentality1 ,i think that silence on our part is disgraceful--apart from considerations of local interests in this battle for right and justice4 ,two able and moderate advocates of the settlement of the clergy reserve question were sent to ,england in #ahcg to confer with ,lord ,glenelg on the subject1 viz43 ,hon4 ,william ,morris on behalf of the ,church of ,scotland1 and ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper on behalf of the ,church of ,england4 ,in ,november of that year ,dr4 ,ryerson was requested to draw up a paper embodying the opinions of the leading members of the ,conference4 ,this was done1 and an elaborate paper on the subject was published in the ,guardian of ,january #agth1 #ahch4ia ,shortly afterwards ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed a letter to ,lord ,glenelg on the subject4 ,i only insert the narrative part of it1 as follows3-- ,i was favoured with a conversation on the clergy reserve question with ,mr4 ,sir ,james ,stephen1 in accordance with your ,lordship's suggestion1 the day before ,i left ,london for ,canada 7#bgth ,april1 #ahcg74 ,after my arrival in this ,province it was unanimously agreed to support the plan for the adjustment of that important and long agitated question1 which had been mentioned by ,mr4 ,stephen1 in the interview referred to4 ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head set his face against it from the beginning1 and did not wish me to say anything about it publicly4 ,the ,attorney-,general acknowledged it was equitable1 and did not make any serious objection to it4#ib ,recently a meeting of our principal ministers took place in ,toronto1 in order to consult upon the measures which it was desirable to adopt in order to promote the settlement of the question at the next session of ,parliament4 ,at the request of the meeting1 another gentleman and myself waited upon the ,hon4 ,mr4 ,draper 7who had taken the most official part in previous sessions71 and showed him the resolutions agreed to4 ,we stated that if it would embarrass him in promoting the earliest settlement of the question1 we would desist from publishing anything on the subject4 ,he expressed himself as highly gratified at our frankness1 courtesy1 and general views1 and said that if his high-church friends had treated him with the same liberality and courtesy he would have been saved from much difficulty and embarrassment1 which he had experienced in his previous exertions2 but that he thought there could be no objection to our publishing at large our views on the subject4 ,the preparation of the document was assigned to me4 ,when published1 it appeared to meet the views of all parties1 except the ultra shade of one party1 who want the whole of the reserves2 and it is now the most popular plan throughout the ,province of settling the question1 except that of appropriating the reserves to educational purposes exclusively4 ,a day or two before the publication of this document1 the ,house of ,assembly went into ,committee on a ,bill to revest the reserves in the ,imperial ,parliament6 ,going to ,toronto at this time1 ,i did what ,i could to bring the subject again before the ,house1 and accordingly addressed a letter through the press to ,speaker ,mac,nab1 of the ,assembly1 on the importance of an immediate settlement of the question1 and also urging the adoption of the plan which had been recently proposed4#ic ,these papers appeared to create a considerable sensation among the members of the ,assembly2 it was agreed on all sides that the question ought to be settled forthwith4 ,but the reluctance of the ,crown ,officers to take up the subject soon became manifest2 and it was not for some weeks after1 that the subject could be forced upon them4#id ,then all 7with very few exceptions7 professed that the subject ought not to be postponed any longer4 ,but the ,crown ,officers had no measure prepared1 and differed in opinion on the subject--the ,attorney-,general consenting to the revesting of the reserves in the ,crown1 the ,solicitor-,general contending that they should be divided among four denominations 7,episcopalians1 ,presbyterians1 ,methodists1 and ,roman ,catholics1 according to their relative numbers in ,great ,britain and ,ireland67 ,this proposition had but three or four advocates in the ,house1 including the author of it4 ,mr4 ,boulton1 seconded by ,mr4 ,cartwright1 moved1 in substance1 that the clergy reserve provision was made for the clergy of the ,church of ,england2--that it does not provide for more than a competent support for them2--that to appropriate it for them would give most satisfaction to the country4 ,this resolution had five votes in favour of it4 ,all these amendments1 and several others1 having been lost in ,committee1 the original resolution moved by ,mr4 ,cartwright1 to revest the clergy reserves in ,her ,majesty1 for the support of the ,christian religion in this ,province1 was adopted by a majority of three or four4 ,a bill was then brought in and read a first time1 and ordered to a second reading next day1 but was never afterwards taken up--the exclusive church party being anxious to keep it out of sight4 ,thus the question is laid over for another year1 to the great disappointment and dissatisfaction of thousands who have promptly come forward to the support of the ,government of the country4 ,as an indication of the determination of the party then in power in ,upper ,canada to carry their scheme for the re-investment of the ,reserves in the ,crown1 before the close of this friendly ,parliament1 ,i quote the following extract from a despatch from ,sir ,george ,arthur to ,lord ,glenelg1 dated #aath ,july1 #ahch3-- ,at the first meeting of the ,legislature1 ,i propose to cause a bill to be introduced for re-investing the lands reserved for the clergy in the ,crown1 to be applied for religious purposes1 and ,i have reason to think that it will be carried by a considerable majority4 ,in ,june1 #ahch1 ,dr4 ,ryerson became ,editor of the ,christian ,guardian4 ,it was1 as ,i have shown1 at a most critical period in our provincial history4 ,he was called to that post by the unanimous voice of his brethren4 ,that call1 too1 was emphasized by the fact that the object of the dominant party in decrying the loyalty of their opponents was now clearly seen2 and that1 therefore1 none but a man of undaunted courage1 unimpeachable loyalty1 as well as unquestioned ability1 could successfully cope with the powerful combination of talent and influence which the ruling party possessed4 ,nor should it be forgotten1 that in the unfortunate crisis through which the ,province had just passed1 the prestige of the party which had always claimed the whole of the reserves as the patrimony of the ,church of ,england1 had1 from political causes1 immensely increased4 ,this gave them a double advantage2 while1 on the other hand1 the prestige of the party which for years had firmly and consistently resisted these claims1 had1 for the same political reasons1 as sensibly and as seriously declined4 ,these facts were well known to every one in ,upper ,canada at the time4 ,they imposed a double burthen upon those who had the courage 7or1 it might be said1 audacity7 to question the righteousness of claims1 which--not to speak of the invaluable services and inviolable loyalty of the claimants themselves in the crisis of the rebellion--were by words of the statute1 as interpreted by the law officers of the ,crown1 so clearly given to those claimants4 ,such was the position of parties1 and the condition of affairs in ,upper ,canada1 when ,dr4 ,ryerson was called to the editorial chair of the leading newspaper in the ,province4 ,that he was possessed of the requisite ability and firmness to maintain the rights of a discouraged minority1 and resist the then almost unquestioned will of a powerful majority1 few doubted4 ,the bold defence of the supposed exiled rebel1 ,bidwell1 proved that neither courage nor talent was wanting4 ,the bitter hatred of the revolutionary party1 as expressed in the threat that1 should they succeed1 their first victim would be ,egerton ,ryerson1 showed that in the new crusade he would have no help 7if not covert opposition7 from that extreme section of his former friends4 ,nor1 as events proved1 could he reckon on any support from the ,british missionary section of the ,methodist community4 ,indeed1 they were hostile to his views1 as will be seen in a subsequent chapter4 ,in entering into this contest1 therefore1 ,dr4 ,ryerson found that he would have to encounter a threefold enemy--each section of it able1 resolute and influential1 especially that one practically in possession of the reserves--fighting1 as it was1 for its very existence1 and acting entirely on the defensive4 ,soon after ,dr4 ,ryerson entered on his editorial duties he published in the ,guardian an elaborate series of letters on ,the ,clergy ,reserve ,question1 as a matter of ,history1 a ,question of ,law1 and a ,subject of ,legislation1 addressed to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper1 ,solicitor-,general4 ,after reviewing the proceedings of the ,government and ,legislature on the subject down to the end of the session of #ahch1 he summed up the leading facts which he had established1 in the following words3-- ,i have stated that the ,government has been administered for fourteen years in utter contempt of the wishes of the inhabitants1 constitutionally1 continuously1 and almost unanimously expressed through their representatives and otherwise1 on a subject which concerns their highest and best interests1 and which1 as the history of ,great ,britain amply shows1 has always more deeply interested ,british subjects than any other4 ,sir1 on the unspeakably important subjects of religion and education our constitutional right of legislation has1 by the arbitrary exercise and influence of ,executive power1 been made a mockery1 and our constitutional liberties a deception2 and it is to the influence over the public mind of the high religious feelings and principles of those classes of the population who have been so shamefully calumniated by the ,episcopal clergy and their party scribes1 that the inhabitants of ,upper ,canada are not doing in #ahch1 what ,englishmen did do in #afhh1 when their feelings were outraged and their constitutional liberties infringed1 and the privileges of ,parliament trampled upon1 in order to force upon the nation a system of religious domination which the great majority of the people did not desire4 ,as the session of the ,legislature of #ahci approached1 a vigorous effort was made by ,the ,church newspaper 7the clerical organ71 and the ,patriot 7the lay organ7 of the church party to influence public opinion in favour of a re-investment of the clergy reserves in the ,crown 7for the reasons given on page #bbe47 ,it was well known that ,dr4 ,ryerson had strenuously opposed any reference of the questions to the ,british ,parliament as a pusillanimous1 and yet an interested1 party abnegation of ,canadian rights4 ,he1 therefore1 prepared and circulated extensively a petition to the ,house of ,assembly on this and kindred subjects4 ,this proceeding called forth a counter petition1 urging the ,legislature to recognize the principle of an established church1 etc4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 therefore1 lost no time in inserting in the ,guardian of #bdth ,october1 a stirring appeal1 in which he urged the ,methodist ministers and members throughout the country to sign the petition which he had prepared without delay4 ,he insisted upon the abolition of the rectories surreptitiously established by ,sir ,john ,colborne1 on the ground that1 although authorized by the ,act of #agia1 yet that their establishment was not in harmony with the terms of the despatch of ,lord ,ripon1 dated ,november #hth1 #ahcb1 which stated that-- ,his ,majesty has studiously abstained from the exercise of his undoubted prerogative of founding and endowing literary or religious corporations1 until he should obtain the advice of the representatives of the people in that respect4 ,he concluded the appeal with these words3--,it becomes every man who properly appreciates his civil and religious rights and privileges1 and those of posterity after him1 to give his name1 his influence1 and exertions1 in the final effort to place those rights and privileges upon the broad foundation of equal justice to all classes of the inhabitants4 ,in a subsequent appeal1 issued in ,november1 he said3--,let every man who has a head to think1 a foot to walk1 and a hand to write1 do all in his power to circulate the petitions for the entire abolition of high church domination1 and the perfect religious and political equality of all denominations of ,christians4444 ,the majority of the people of ,england are willing to have glebes1 rectories1 tithes1 church rates1 etc42 but the majority of the people of this ,province want nothing of the kind4444 ,the right of the inhabitants of this ,province to judge1 and to have their wishes granted on everything connected with the disposition of the clergy reserves1 and the proceeds of them1 has been formally recognized in gracious despatches from the ,throne4 ,few in the present day can realize the storm which these petitions and appeals provoked4 ,every effort was made 7as will be seen7 to silence the voice and stay the hand of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 the chief promoter of the petitions1 and the able opponent of the establishment of church ascendancy in ,upper ,canada4 ,thus matters reached a crisis in the latter part of the year #ahch4 ,so intense was the feeling evoked by the ruling party against ,dr4 ,ryerson's proceeding1 that in many places the promoters of the petitions were threatened with personal violence1 and even with death1 as may be seen by letters published in the ,guardian at this time4 ,the publication of these letters at the present time would excite feelings of amazement that such a state of things was ever possible in a free country like ,canada4 ,not only was this policy of intimidation pursued in the rural parts of the country1 but the newspapers in ,toronto and the larger towns1 controlled by his opponents1 made a combined assault upon ,dr4 ,ryerson1 as the central figure in this movement4 ,on the #aith ,december1 #ahch1 he inserted an able defence of himself4 ,he said3-- ,the question of the ,clergy ,reserves1 or in other words1 of a dominant ecclesiastical establishment in this ,province1 embracing one or more ,churches1 has been a topic of public discussion for nearly twenty years4 ,for thirty years after the creation of ,upper ,canada 7in #aghc7 there was no ecclesiastical establishment in the country1 except in the letter of an ,act of ,parliament4 ,during that time there was no weakening of the hands of ,government by discussing the question of a dominant church4444 ,but from the time that the ,episcopal clergy commenced the enterprise of ecclesiastical supremacy in the ,province1 there has been civil and religious discord4 ,the calumnious and persecuting measures they have pursued from time to time to accomplish their purpose1 ,i need not enumerate4 ,for twelve years ,i have sought to restore peace to the ,province1 by putting down their pretensions4 ,i have varied in the means ,i have employed1 but never in the end ,i have had in view1 as ,i have always avowed to them and their partizans1 and to the ,colonial and ,imperial ,governments1 on every suitable occasion4 ,it was a favourite weapon of attack to denounce as rebels and republicans all those who opposed the exclusive claims of the then representatives of the ,church of ,england4 ,and this stigma was1 in #ahch1 a personal and social one which every person to whom it was applied resented4 ,but the more such persons resented the charge of disloyalty the more was the charge reiterated1 and they were harassed and denounced as radicals and republicans4 ,in repelling this unfounded charge1 ,dr4 ,ryerson did not descend to vindication or explanation4 ,he became in turn the assailant1 and began to carry the war into ,africa4 ,with scorn and invective he replied to the charge1 and showed that his opponents1 with all their boasting and professions of loyalty1 had failed to render the necessary aid in time of need4 ,thus3 ,it has been said that ,i prevented the militia from turning out when first called upon4444 ,it is true that ,i did not exhort any one to volunteer4444 ,one reason 444 was that ,i desired to have the country furnished with a practical illustration of high-church patriotism and loyalty in the hour of need4 ,the ,church and the ,patriot had boasted of their multitudes2 but those multitudes shrivelled into a ,falstaff's company in an hour which detected the difference between the loyalty of the lip and the heart4444 ,the elongated countenances in certain quarters for a few days in ,december1 #ahcg1 will never be forgotten6 ,from the ,government ,house to the poorest cottage the omnipotent power of the ,guardian was proclaimed as producing this alarming state of things6 ,indeed1 ,i received a verbal message from ,his ,excellency on the subject4 ,at this juncture 444 the heads of the ,presbyterian and ,methodist ,churches formally addressed their adherents exhorting them to rally to the standard of their country1 and from that hour we have heard nothing but congratulations and boasts in regard to the readiness 444 with which the militia came forward in all parts of the ,province at the call of the ,government4 ,it has been insinuated that ,i attacked the local ,government4444 ,the charge is unfounded4 ,when the local ,government was attacked for having pursued a different course from that of ,lord ,durham towards the political prisoners1 ,i reconciled the course of the two administrations4 ,several numbers of the ,guardian containing that dissertation were requested for the ,government ,house1 and 444 were sent to ,england4444 ,but when both my position and myself stand virtually 444 impugned by proclamation1 ,i am neither the sycophant nor the renegade to crouch down under unmerited imputations1 come from whence they may1 even though ,i should suffer imprisonment and ruin for my temerity4 ,i am at length exhorted to silence1 but not my opponents4444 ,a royal answer was returned to an address of the ,episcopal ,clergy a few weeks since4#ie ,nor is silence imposed upon me until the entire weight of the ,chief ,magistracy is thrown into the ,episcopal scale4 ,if the injunction had been given to all parties 444 then we might have felt ourselves in some degree equally protected4444 ,but at the moment when the ,province is turned into a camp--when freedom of opinion may be said to exist1 but scarcely to live--when unprecedented power is wielded by the ,executive1 and the ,habeas ,corpus ,act is suspended1 for one party in the ,province to have free range of denunciation1 intimidation1 etc41 against ,methodists and others 444 and then for silence to be enjoined on me and those who agree with me 444 does excite1 ,i confess1 my anxious concern1 as the object of it in regard to myself and a large portion of the country cannot be mistaken4 ,the despatches of ,lord ,ripon 7,nov4 #hth1 #ahcb7 and ,lord ,glenelg 7,dec4 #aeth1 #ahce7 recommended a comprehensive liberality in every department1 and in all the acts of the ,government1 they conceded in full the popular demands on the clergy reserve question1 and deprecated the establishment of any religious corporations until the advice of the local ,legislature had been obtained--these very despatches ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head promised to carry out4444 ,but has that pledge been redeemed by him8 ,has it not been grossly violated8444 ,in his appointments and dismissals from office1 and in the whole tone and spirit of his government1 did not ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head become the head of a party instead of the ,governor of the ,province8444 ,the result of his new system of government already is derangement of the currency--insurrection--bloodshed--loss of property--demoralization1 by calling large bodies of men from rural to military employments--decrease of population--cessation of immigration--decrease of credit--decrease of revenue--increase of the public debt--decrease of the value of property--increase of popular dissatisfaction--vast military expenditures from the taxes of an overburthened ,british population--insecurity of person and property1 and general distrust4 ,under these ,church and ,king counsels1 for two years more1 and this province will be a ,paradise6444 ,we have laboured hard to obtain and secure many blessings for our native land1 but certainly not such blessings as these6 ,in connection with this discussion1 a ,kingston paper stated that ,dr4 ,ryerson was moved by ambitious motives4 ,in reply ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,as to my motives of ambition1 etc41 my enemies will probably concede to me two or three things4 #a4 ,that long before ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head came to ,upper ,canada ,i had been honoured by as large a share of popular favour in this province as any individual could reasonably expect or desire4444 #b4 ,that the path to royal favour has been opened as widely to me as it is possible for it to be opened to any clerical individual who has laid it down as a rule1 and stated it to ,ministers of the ,crown and ,governors1 that he never could knowingly receive a farthing from any quarter1 or in any way1 which was not pointed out and authorized by the discipline of his ,church4 ,but as a love of popular favour has not obliterated from my recollection the rightful prerogatives of the ,crown1 ,i cannot see why ,i should thereby be disqualified from a disinterested maintenance of constitutional rights1 especially when many more are immediately concerned in the latter than in the former4 ,,footnotes3 #ij ,in his despatch to ,lord ,glenelg1 giving an extract of his speech at the opening of the ensuing session of the ,legislature1 ,sir ,george ,arthur puts this idea in an official form4 ,he says3--,that such a tribunal is free from those local influences and excitement which operate too powerfully here4 ,in his seventh letter to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper on the clergy reserve question1 dated ,january1 #bfth1 #ahci1 ,dr4 ,ryerson argues the whole question of the re-investment of the reserves at length4 ,he also shows that so far from the tribunal here spoken of by ,sir ,george ,arthur being a desirable one to adjudicate on this question1 it would be the very reverse4 ,it should be remembered that in more than one despatch the ,colonial ,secretary held that the question was one to be settled by the ,provincial1 rather than by the ,imperial ,parliament1 and declined to interfere with the rights of the ,canadian ,legislature in the matter4 ,this will be clearly shown in a subsequent chapter4 ,lord ,glenelg's utterances on this question are very emphatic1 especially in his despatch dated #eth ,december1 #ahce4 #ia ,the paper was signed by ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,harvard1 ,case1 ,stinson1 ,j4 ,ryerson1 ,w4 ,ryerson1 ,e4 ,ryerson1 ,green1 ,evans1 ,jones1 ,wilkinson1 ,beatty1 and ,wright4 ,see also ,guardian of ,october #ajth1 #ahch4 #ib ,in the ,guardian of ,september #abth1 #ahch1 page #ahj1 ,dr4 ,ryerson makes a fuller reference to this matter4 ,speaking of the ,hume and ,roebuck letters 7page #afg71 he says3 ,i was indeed--what ,i never thought of in ,london--applauded to satiety by the constitutional press of ,upper ,canada for these letters1 and by many individuals1 several of whom1 on my landing in ,canada last year1 gave me no small thanks for the results of the election of #ahcf4 ,but all that ceased within a week after my return to ,canada4444 ,and why8 ,because ,i availed myself of the first opportunity after my return to submit and press upon ,sir ,francis and the ,attorney-,general and others1 the importance and necessity of an early and equitable settlement of the clergy reserve question1 in order to satisfy the expectations of thousands who had voted for constitutional candidates4444 ,the very moment it was seen that my views and intentions on that subject remained unchanged1 ,i saw a change in the expression of countenances4 ,sir ,francis1 indeed1 never thanked me1 for the letters2 he wished me to say nothing about the clergy reserve question2 and within four weeks sent a calumniating letter against me to ,lord ,glenelg2 and the ,attorney-,general1 so far from remembering the estimate he professed 7on my return from ,england7 to place upon my services to the ,province1 sought last winter to get a clause inserted in the ,report of the ,select ,committee on the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 impugning my motives and exonerating ,sir ,francis from the allegations contained in my petition 7see page #ahj71 without even investigating its merits1 etc4 #ic ,in a letter to a friend1 in ,january1 #ahch1 ,dr4 ,ryerson relates an amusing incident which was characteristic of ,sir ,allan ,mac,nab's love of a bit of fun4 ,he said3--,in conversation one day with ,mr4 ,speaker ,mac,nab1 he gravely proposed to me that ,i should meet ,archdeacon ,strachan and a clergyman of the ,church of ,scotland2 and for him and other members of the ,assembly to hear us put forth our respective claims to the clergy reserves1 and for them to say a word now and then if they liked4 ,after having heard the parsons argue the point1 some member was to bring such a measure before the ,assembly1 as we three should propose4 ,this rather amusing way of settling the question was evidently by way of a joke1 so ,i made no objection to it4 ,he is to inform me of the time and place for the argument1 after having consulted the other parties concerned2 but ,i shall hear no more of it6 #id ,the cause of this apathy will be apparent from the narrative in chapter xxxi41 and the note on page #bbe4 #ie ,in their address they designated themselves as the ,bishop1 ,archdeacons1 and ,clergy of the ,established ,church of ,upper ,canada2 but ,sir ,george ,arthur1 in his reply1 addressed them as the ,bishop1 ,archdeacons1 and ,clergy of the established ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 #ahch-ahci4 ,the ,ruling ,party and the ,reserves4--,divide et ,impera4 ,in dealing with so large and influential a body as the ,methodists1 made up1 as it was years ago1 of two distinct elements1 somewhat antagonistic to each other1 it can easily be understood that the more astute among the high church or family compact party clearly saw that their only hope of success in the clergy reserve controversy was by taking advantage of the presence of this antagonistic element in the ,methodist body1 and to turn it to practical account against ,dr4 ,ryerson1 so as to checkmate him in the contest4 ,queen ,elizabeth's motto3 ,divide et impera1 was therefore adopted4 ,and every effort was made to intensify the feelings and widen the breach which already existed between the two sections of the ,methodists4 ,this was the more easily done by the appeal which was made to the national prejudices of ,methodists of ,british origin1 as against the alleged republican tendency of their colonial brethren4#if ,in this effort the ruling party were publicly and privately aided by members of the ,missionary ,committee in ,london4 ,to discuss this question now would be practically useless4 ,none but actors in the scenes and conflicts of those times could realize the strong1 even bitter1 feelings which existed in the chief towns between the two parties at the time4 ,cherished sentiments of loyalty1 strong home feelings1 and orthodox ,methodist principles1 were appealed to1 and alternately asserted their influence on opposite sides in the contest4 ,added to the difficulty which ,dr4 ,ryerson experienced in conducting the clergy reserve controversy was the fact1 that many ,methodists of ,british origin fully sympathized with the claims of the old national and historical ,church of ,england--they held that it was ipso facto the established church in every ,british ,colony1 as often asserted by the ,missionary party4 ,as the clergy reserve question gradually became the absorbing topic of discussion in the country 7with ,dr4 ,ryerson as one of the chief leaders in that discussion71 it was natural that so important a matter should receive the attention of ,conference4 ,this it did at an early date4 ,in #ahcg strong resolutions were passed upon the subject1 which excited much uneasiness among the ,english ,missionary party4 ,the ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,harvard1 ,president of the ,conference1 in writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the subject after ,conference1 said3-- ,since ,i came away from the ,conference1 ,i have been greatly concerned as to the anti-church impression likely to be made on the mind of our people by our recent resolutions of ,conference2 and ,i would fain engage your interest with ,rev4 ,e4 ,evans1 our ,editor1 to accompany them with some saving paragraph on the general principle of an establishment which may keep our people from the danger of imbibing the principle of dissent1 the operation of which will always foster a religious radicalism in our body1 and the influence of which our fathers at home strongly deprecate4 ,i think with you1 that in the altered circumstances of our ,colonial relations1 we have reason to plead for concessions of equality of rights and privileges which would never be granted in the ,mother ,country4 ,in that respect ,i do not dissent from the spirit of the resolutions4 ,but ,i more and more think and feel that there is a middle path of respectful deference to the principle of an establishment even in the ,colonies1 which1 so modified1 would not be injurious1 but rather helpful1 to our good cause1--and which is a vantage ground on which none of our enemies could touch us4 ,it is true1 that from ,wesleyan high quarters you have had encouragement to believe an independent stand against ,church domination would not be disapproved2 yet even there a denial of the principle of an establishment 7or that the ,government should profess some one form of ,christianity1 with equal privileges to other ,christians7 would meet with reprobation2 and if not1 who does not see1 if we take that anti-,wesleyan ground1 it may involve the question of ,wesleyan consistency on our part1 while at the same time it would be in danger of throwing our people into the arms of the ,radical-popish-infidel faction1 where they will1 bear like1 be hugged till the breath of piety is pressed out of them4 ,of course1 it would drive away from our congregations many of those pious or well-disposed ,church people who occasionally mingle with and derive good from us4 ,it was ,mr4 ,wesley's conviction that the ,methodists were in part raised up to spread scriptural holiness in the ,church of ,england1 as well as in the world at large4 ,i must repeat my wish1 that you had yielded to my suggestion to admit into the resolution the phrases1 that the principle of an establishment should be so administered in this ,province as to secure perfect equality of rights and privileges among all other communities4 ,you may have ulterior views which ,i am too short-sighted to perceive4 ,but ,i am fully convinced1 that if the ,guardian does not save us from identification with dissent from the ,church of ,england at this crisis1 the real friends of our ,zion will bitterly deplore it another day4#ig ,here was a broad and distinct declaration of principle1 as fully in harmony with the views of the dominant party as they were entirely opposed to those held by the ,canadian ,conference party4 ,they were perfectly sincere1 too1 and were uttered by one of the most moderate1 and yet most thoroughly representative agents of the ,british ,missionary party in this ,province4 ,it can be easily seen how tempting an opportunity it was for the ruling party to foster this feeling amongst the ,english ,missionary section of ,methodists1 by strong appeals to their well-known loyalty--their respect and love for the old mother-church1 which ,john ,wesley so venerated4 ,even condescension and flattery were employed4 ,the ,church and other newspapers made appeals with tact and ability#ih 7see page #bcf72 the ,lieutenant ,governor himself took the trouble to address a letter on the subject direct to the ,missionary ,committee in ,london1 and ,archdeacon ,strachan never failed to single out for respectful mention and commendation the representatives of the ,british ,missionary party in ,canada1 as distinguished from the disloyal and republican section of the ,methodists4#ii ,referring to this period1 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 in his ,historical ,recollections of ,methodism 7as annotated by ,dr4 ,ryerson7 informs us that-- ,after aiding to suppress the rebellion1 the ,guardian resumed the discussion of the clergy reserve question1 and insisted that it should be settled4 ,but nothing was farther from the thoughts of ,dr4 ,strachan and ,sir ,george ,arthur4 ,they contended that the mooting of the question at such a time was evidence of disloyalty on the part of those who were endeavouring to despoil the ,church of its lawful rights4 ,the ,editor of the ,guardian 7,dr4 ,ryerson7 was threatened with personal violence1 with prosecution1 and banishment4 ,yet the ,guardian kept on the even tenor of its way2 and in proportion to the fury of the monopolists1 did the ,editor increase his exertions to wrest from them their unjust gains4 ,then the oppressors of equal rights1 seeing that nothing else would do1 called into requisition the old craft to divide the ,methodists1 or1 by other influences1 to coercively control them4 ,sir ,george ,arthur1 the amanuensis of ,dr4 ,strachan in these matters1 wrote to the ,missionary ,committee in ,london of the evil and disturbing doings of the ,guardian1 and called on them for their interference4 ,this flattering appeal received a very complimentary reply4 ,the ,committee also wrote to their missionary agents in ,canada1 directing them to interpose and arrest the unjustifiable course of the ,guardian4 ,the objection was that the paper had become party-political2 that its course was disquieting to the country1 and disreputable to ,wesleyan ,methodism1 444 etc4 ,it is not denied 7adds ,rev4 ,j4 ,ryerson71 that the ,guardian at this time was very political for a religious journal4444 ,on this ,dr4 ,ryerson remarked-- ,it is true1 as my brother has intimated1 that the ,guardian was very political1 because the ,editor was intensely in earnest on the great object for which he had been elected by the ,conference4444 ,the times of his former proposed conciliations and compromises were now past4 ,he felt the awfulness of the crisis and the responsibility of his position4 ,the ,reform party had been crushed by the rebellion of #ahcg1 and the ,reform press silenced2 there was1 in fact1 no ,reform party4 ,the high-church party thought that their day of absolute power and ecclesiastical monopoly had dawned4 ,it had been agreed by ,mr4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie and his fellow rebels 444 that ,egerton ,ryerson should be their first victim4 ,he alone stood above successful calumny by the high-church party1 and backed as he was by his ,canadian ,methodist brethren1 he determined to defend to the last1 the citadel of ,canadian liberty4444 ,he knew that1 as in a final struggle for victory between two armies1 when that victory was trembling in the scales1 the wavering of a single battalion on either side might animate and decide victory in favour of the enemy2 so a compromising sentence or ambiguous word from the ,editor might rouse the high-church party to increased confidence and action1 and proportionally weaken the cause of civil and religious liberty in ,upper ,canada4 ,the ,editor of the ,guardian had no fear1 and he evinced none4444 ,i contended that all the political questions then pending had a direct or indirect bearing on this great question2 444 that ,i would not be turned aside from the great object in view until it was obtained2 that the real object of the ,government and of the ,missionary ,committee was not so much to prevent the introduction of politics into the ,guardian1 as the discussion of the clergy reserve question itself1 and of the equal religious rights of the people altogether1 so that the high-church party might be left in peaceable possession of their exclusive privileges1 and their unjust and immense monopolies1 without molestation or dispute4 ,rev4 ,j4 ,ryerson adds3 ,had ,dr4 ,ryerson yielded to the dictation of ,sir ,george ,arthur's government1 and the interference of the ,london ,missionary ,committee1 one-seventh of the land of the ,province might now be in the hands of the ,church of ,england4 ,but the course of the ,guardian in this matter1 however right1 brought upon the ,canadian ,methodist ,church calamities and sufferings of seven years' continuance4 ,about a month before the ,conference of #ahci met1 ,sir ,george ,arthur received a reply1 by the hands of ,dr4 ,alder1 from the ,missionary ,committee in ,london 7signed by ,dr4 ,bunting and the other ,secretaries71 which he published in the ,patriot newspaper4 ,dr4 ,ryerson inserted the letter in the ,guardian of the #bbnd ,may1 with these remarks3-- ,we copy from the ,patriot a letter1 addressed by the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,secretaries in ,london to ,sir ,george ,arthur1 disclaiming all participation in the views expressed in the ,guardian on the ecclesiastical questions of this ,province4 ,he then goes on to show that the views expressed in the ,guardian were identical with those embodied in the proceedings of the ,wesleyan ,conference in ,upper ,canada from the beginning1 and that they were explicitly avowed and understood by both parties at the time of the union of the ,conferences in #ahcc4 ,the object of the publication of the letter was evidently twofold3 #ast4 ,to put a weapon into the hands of the friends of a dominant church in ,upper ,canada4 #bnd4 ,to paralyze the efforts of ,dr4 ,ryerson to secure equal rights for all religious bodies1 and thus to weaken his powerful influence as a champion of those rights4 ,it was a noticeable fact that all of the disclaimers from the ,british party first appeared in the ,church of ,england organs1 and were there triumphantly appealed to as the unbiassed expression of ,methodist opinion from headquarters in ,england4 ,in supplementing ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson's ,historical ,narrative of events at this period1 ,dr4 ,ryerson stated1 in substance1 that3-- ,it was soon found that ,sir ,george ,arthur had thrown himself into the hands of the oligarchy on the question of the clergy reserves--he would not consent to have them applied to any other purpose than the support of the clergy1 and was anxious to have them revested in the ,crown4 ,when ,sir ,george's views and plans were brought before the ,legislature1 ,i opposed them4 ,the ,missionary ,committee interposed 7at ,sir ,george's own request7 and supported him on that question4 ,however1 ,her ,majesty's ,government subsequently set aside the proceedings of ,sir ,george ,arthur1 upon the very same grounds on which ,i had opposed them2 but that made no difference in the feelings towards me of ,dr4 ,alder and his colleagues4 ,early in ,june1 #ahci1 ,dr4 ,alder addressed a letter to the ,guardian1 explaining and defending his views on church establishments4 ,on the #abth of that month1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied to him at length1 and1 at the close1 put a series of questions to ,dr4 ,alder4 ,from the #bnd and #fth ,i make the following extracts3-- #b4 ,are you satisfied that you are providentially called of ,god to attempt to make ,methodism an agency in promoting a national establishment of religion in a new country1 in the teeth of an overwhelming majority of the inhabitants8 #f4 ,are you warranted from any writings or authority of ,mr4 ,wesley to insist that1 under no circumstances1 the principle of an establishment shall be abandoned8444 ,mr4 ,wesley and his coadjutors have left it on record1 in the minutes of their ,conference1 as their deliberate judgment1 that there is no instance of1 or ground at all for1 a national church in the ,new ,testament2 that they apprehended it to be a merely political institution4 ,how can any true ,wesleyan convert that into a matter of faith and religious principle for which ,mr4 ,wesley declared there was no instance or ground at all in the ,new ,testament8 444 ,i know that the local ,executive is most intent to secure the aid of the ,missionary ,committee to support the recent re-investment act of spoliation2 ,i believe that your letter 444 emboldened and encouraged them in the re-investment scheme1 and ,his ,excellency stated some months since that he had written for you to come to this country2 they think that they can bargain with you upon more advantageous terms than they can with the ,methodist ,conference in this ,province1 but ,i entreat you to pause before you proceed to insist that that which ,mr4 ,wesley declares 444 to be a merely political institution1 forms any part of ,wesleyan ,methodism4#ajj ,dr4 ,ryerson's account of what transpired at the ensuing ,conference is in substance as follows3-- ,dr4 ,alder attended the ,conference at ,hamilton1 ,june1 #ahci1 and introduced resolutions expressive of his views1 to which he insisted upon the concurrence of the ,conference4 ,the resolutions were discussed for three days4 ,on the last day ,dr4 ,ryerson replied1 after which the resolutions were negatived by a vote of #ee to #e4aja ,at the same ,conference ,dr4 ,ryerson was appointed secretary1 by a vote of #da to #ad4 ,but it was in regard to the election of ,editor that the greatest interest was taken1 not so much amongst the ,canadian section of the ,methodist people as amongst the members of other religious bodies4 ,the ,guardian stated3-- ,for the last two months the several provincial journals have renewed their efforts of vehement vituperation against the ,editor2 444 they have sought and hoped to create a division in the ranks of the ,methodist family1 and1 by thus dividing1 to conquer2 they even triumphed by anticipation--so much so1 that the ,editor of ,the ,church oracularly predicted the speedy release of the ,editor of the ,guardian from his editorial duties4 ,the chagrin which was felt by these parties can be well imagined when the ballot announced that ,dr4 ,ryerson had been re-elected editor1 by a vote of #fj to #ac6 ,speaking of this memorable triumph1 ,dr4 ,ryerson declared that3-- ,never before did ,i receive1 directly or indirectly1 so many unequivocal testimonies of respect and confidence1 not merely from the ,methodist ,church at large1 but also from members of other churches4 ,in the meantime 7as ,dr4 ,ryerson stated elsewhere7 the discussion on the question of a dominant church monopoly and party 444 proscription waxed hotter and hotter2 444 rumours prevailed of a change of ,governors in ,upper ,canada2 the high church party felt that this was their time1 and perhaps their last chance to confirm their absolute power4444 ,under these circumstances1 ,i stated to the ,conference that the moment that the clergy reserve and other questions affecting our constitutional and just rights as ,british ,canadian subjects1 and as a religious body1 were adjusted1 we ought to abstain entirely from any discussions in reference to civil affairs4 ,when ,dr4 ,alder's resolutions were rejected by our ,conference1 one prepared by myself was agreed to1 as follows3-- ,while this ,conference has felt itself bound to express its sentiments on the question of an ecclesiastical establishment in this ,province1 and our constitutional and religious rights and privileges1 and our determination to maintain them1 we disclaim any intention to interfere with the merely secular1 party-politics of the day4 ,this resolution1 as it afterwards appeared1 did not go far enough to meet the wishes and designs of ,dr4 ,alder4 ,he1 therefore1 brought the matter before the ,book ,committee1 ,toronto1 in ,october1 #ahci4 ,to that ,committee he stated at length his decided objection to the course pursued by the ,guardian since ,conference as a violation of the known design of the resolution adopted by it4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 while fully justifying the course which he had pursued1 nevertheless tendered to the ,committee his resignation as ,editor4 ,the ,committee1 however1 instructed ,rev4 ,william ,case to write to him as follows3-- ,by request of the ,book ,committee1 ,i beg leave to communicate the result of their deliberations on the subject of your proffered resignation of the editorship of the ,guardian4 ,resolved1 ,that the ,committee do not feel themselves at liberty to accept of the resignation of the ,editor of the ,guardian1 and that he be affectionately requested to withdraw it1 and to continue his services in accordance with the deliberately framed regulations of the ,committee until the ensuing ,conference1 the regulations to which he objects having been adopted1 not for the purpose of reflecting in any way upon the ,editor2 and that we assure him that we have the utmost confidence in his ability1 his integrity1 and his anxious desire to promote the best interests of the ,connexion4 ,dr4 ,ryerson withdrew his resignation at the time1 but resolved to press it at the next ,conference4 ,this he did2 and peremptorily declined re-election at the ,conference of #ahdj--;in fact other and more serious matters were pressed upon him4 ,he thus finally retired from the editorship of the paper which he had established in #ahbi1 and which he had made such a power in ,upper ,canada4 ,he justly felt that1 with the enlarged ,methodist constituency which the ,guardian at this time represented1 it would be impossible for him1 while great questions remained unsettled1 to harmonize the conflicting opinions on politico-religious matters which were then held by opposite and influential sections of the ,methodist ,church4 ,he clearly foresaw further conflict on these and other inter-connexional subjects1 and was1 therefore1 the more anxious to free himself from the unwise1 official trammels1 which a hostile1 anti-,canadian and unpatriotic party sought to impose upon him--single-handed as he was4 ,he longed for more congenial work4 ,he also felt that literary freedom was essential to him in his thorough and practical discussion of the all absorbing questions of the day4#ajb ,this it was well known he could do1 in dealing with these questions1 not only on their own merits1 but with the comprehensive grasp which his enlarged experience1 intuitive clearness of perception1 and naturally statesmanlike views on grave public questions1 eminently qualified him for4 ,as an illustration of the acknowledged ability1 fairness1 and conclusiveness of argument with which he dealt with questions which touched the sensibilities and even prejudices of leading members of the ,british ,missionary party in ,canada1 it is a striking fact that when these gentlemen were not under the direct and potent influence of the ,mission ,house1 they were ,dr4 ,ryerson's personal friends1 and gave him an active support4 ,this was particularly the case with the late ,rev4 ,dr4 ,stinson1 a man of noble and generous impulses2 ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,harvard1 always kind and courteous2 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,richey1 a man of much refinement and culture1 and others4 ,in the important crisis of #ahch1 both ,dr4 ,stinson and ,dr4 ,richey voted for ,dr4 ,ryerson as ,editor4 ,the former wrote a strong letter urging his appointment as ,editor4 7,page #bja47 ,the latter1 on his way to ,halifax1 after the ,conference of #ahci1 wrote from ,montreal to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 as follows3-- ,sir ,john ,colborne1 on whom ,i called1 and by whom ,i was graciously received1 is delighted with the continuance of the ,union4 ,so are all our ,montreal friends1 after my explanations4 ,they will immediately order the ,guardian4 ,sir ,john paid a handsome tribute to your talents1 as who with whom ,i conversed did not8 however they might happen to view your course4 ,they all say you commenced admirably1--that the moment the paper passed into your hands1 it manifestly improved2 and they all approve of your course for the last six months1 just about as well as you know ,i do4 ,adhere most religiously1 my dear brother1 to the spirit and letter of the resolutions1 by which the ,conference has expressed its will that you should be guided4 ,your friend ,joseph ,howe#ajc begins1 ,i perceive1 to mingle with tories1 as they are invidiously designated4 ,i do not wish you to be a tory2 and ,i will not insult you by expressing a desire that you were a high conservative4 ,i do not flatter you in saying1 that on no man in ,upper ,canada does the peace of our ,church and of the ,province so much depend1 as on yourself4 ,may all your powers be employed for good6 ,guard against the fascination of political fame4 ,it will do no more for you on a dying bed than it did for ,cardinal ,wolsey4 ,o6 that your fine mind were fully concentrated upon the ,greek3 politeuma of ,heaven6 ,,footnotes3 #if ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the ,guardian of ,october #ca1 #ahch1 says3--,five columns of ,the ,church1 of the #bjth ult41 are occupied with an appeal to the old country ,methodists1 to induce them to oppose the ,conference and ,connexion in this ,province in the clergy reserve question4 ,the ,cobourg ,star follows in the wake of ,the ,church1 in the same pious crusade4 ,the ,patriot of the #bfth inst4 also copies the schismatic appeal of ,the ,church4 #ig ,even ,rev4 ,j4 ,stinson 7who heartily sympathized in many things with the ,canadian ,methodists71 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 written in ,february1 #ahci1 said3--,i have read your address to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper1 on the clergy reserve question1 with considerable attention2 and while there is much in it which ,i admire1 ,i must honestly tell you1 en passant1 that it contains more against the principle of an establishment in this ,colony than ,i like4 #ih ,not satisfied with these strong appeals in the newspapers1 resort was had to personal ones1 made to leading members of the missionary party4 ,in a kind and yet candid letter which ,dr4 ,ryerson received in ,november1 #ahch1 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson says3--,i sincerely sympathize with you in your present perplexing and trying circumstances4 ,i heard to-day that some of the dominant church champions are appealing to me to array myself against you4 ,they may save themselves the trouble of making such appeals4 ,whenever ,i have differed in opinion with you1 ,i have told you so1 and shall do so again1--but shall never1 unless you become a revolutionist1 either directly or indirectly sanction any factious opposition to you4 ,i think1 as ,wesleyan ,methodists1 we ought1 openly and fearlessly1 to advocate the righteous claims of our own ,church2 but we ought to do it without detracting from the merits or opposing the interests of that ,church which is so closely connected with our ,government1 as is the ,church of ,england4 ,i know that the exclusive spirit--the arrogant pretentiousness--the priestly insolence--the anti-,christian spirit of certain members of that ,church richly deserves chastisement4444 ,i know that your public services have been undervalued2 your faults have been shamefully exaggerated2 your motives have been misrepresented2 your influence 7connected as you are with a large and influential body of ,christians7 is feared1 and your enemies are as bitter as ,satan can make them2 but1 if you are conscious that1 in the sight of ,god1 you are aiming at the right object1 why not leave your cause in ,his hands8 why so frequently appeal to the people8 ,you may not see it2 but there is a recklessness in your mode of writing1 sometimes1 which is really alarming1 and for which many of the members of the ,conference of our ,society do not like to be responsible4 ,i know well1 that the acts of the high church party are far more likely to excite rebellion than your writings4 ,there is a strong1 a very strong1 feeling against a dominant ,church2 but a majority of the ,province would rather have that1 and connection with ,great ,britain1 than republicanism4 #ii ,on the other hand1 the ,editor of ,the ,church thus sketched ,dr4 ,ryerson3--,as ,the promoter1 if not originator1 of prejudices of indigenous growth1 against the ,church of ,england1 and as the thoughtless scatterer of the seeds of political error and of antipathy to the national church4 ,notwithstanding these counteracting influences1 the ,editor does not despair of seeing the day when ,methodists in ,canada will join with ,churchmen in vindicating the ,church's right to the property of the reserves1 which will enable them to plant the established church in every corner of these ,provinces4 ,and this they will do1 not upon the ground merely of filial partiality1 but on the most rational security for the permanence and purity of our ,protestant faith1 etc4 ,under these circumstances1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,i have felt it due to the ,guardian connexion to enter my protest against the claims of the ,episcopal ,church1 and to combat and explain the opinion of my ,english brethren as not those prevalent in this ,province4 ,a lengthened communication1 embodying those views1 appearing on page #aji of the ,guardian of ,may #afth1 #ahch4 #ajj ,with a view to increase the clamour against the ,editor of the ,guardian on this subject1 ,mr4 ,alex4 ,davidson1 writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,niagara1 said3--,dr4 ,alder's letter to you had been printed and circulated there in the form of a hand-bill4 ,mr4 ,e4 ,c4 ,griffin1 of ,waterdown1 writing from ,hamilton on the same subject1 said3 ,i have learned from brother ,edward ,jackson what are the feelings of the ,society in ,hamilton1 respecting the letter of ,dr4 ,alder4 ,he says1 that if the leaders' meeting is any index of the views of the entire ,society here1 they are a unit to a man 7except the preacher7 in their determination to support you in your principles and proceedings4 #aja ,the following incident in connection with this vote is mentioned by ,dr4 ,ryerson3 ,dr4 ,alder 7he said7 appeared disappointed and depressed2 and1 after the close of the ,conference ,i said to him3 ,dr4 ,alder1 you see how entirely you have mistaken the state of ,canadian society1 and the views and feelings of the ,methodist people4 ,now1 ,i do not wish that you should return to ,england a defeated and disgraced man4 ,i purpose to write a short editorial for the ,guardian1 stating that the differences and misunderstandings which had arisen1 after having been carefully considered and fully discussed1 were adjusted in an amicable spirit1 and the unity of the ,church maintained inviolate4 ,dr4 ,alder appeared delighted and thankful beyond expression4 ,i prepared the editorial4 ,dr4 ,alder used and interpreted this editorial on his return to ,england1 to show that the ,canadian ,conference and its ,editor had acceded to all of his demands1 and that he had been completely successful in his mission to ,canada6 ,the ,english ,committee adopted resolutions complimentary to ,dr4 ,alder in consequence2 but ,i did not imagine that ,dr4 ,alder's fictitious representation of the results of his mission would afterwards be made the ground of charges against myself6 #ajb ,dr4 ,ryerson gave full expression to these views in a letter addressed to the ,governor-,general in ,april1 #ahdj4 7,see chapter xxxiii41 page #bff47 #ajc ,see letter from ,mr4 ,howe to ,dr4 ,ryerson on page #beh4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 #ahci4 ,strategy in the ,clergy ,reserve ,controversy4 ,the year #ahci was somewhat noted for the prolonged and animated discussions which took place in and out of the ,legislature on the clergy reserve question4 ,there were some new features in the discussion of the preceding year which had their effect on the clergy reserve legislation of that year4 ,and while they partially ceased to be influential in the discussions of #ahci1 yet the legislation of that year was practically brought to the same issue as that of #ahch1 only that it was more decisive4 ,it may be interesting1 therefore1 to refer to these special features in the discussion of #ahch-i4 ,the first was the final change of tactics on the part of the leaders of the ,church of ,england party in the contest4 ,the second was the persistent and personal efforts which ,lieutenant ,governor ,arthur put forth in behalf of that party1 so as to enable them to accomplish their object1 and1 at the same time1 to counteract the efforts of those who were seeking to uphold ,canadian and popular rights4 ,the third was 7as shown in the last chapter7 the plan adopted to foment discord in the ,methodist body--which was by far the most formidable opponent of the scheme of monopoly and aggrandisement which the ruling party was seeking to promote4 ,at this distance of time it is easy to survey the whole field of conflict1 and to note the plans and strategies of the combatants4 ,although efforts had hitherto been made to shift the battle-ground from ,upper ,canada to ,england1 yet1 as the ,colonial ,secretary had discouraged such efforts as unwise1 and as an unnecessary interference with the rights of the ,provincial ,legislature1 the matter was not openly pressed in #ahci4 ,nor was it pressed at all to a conclusion in #ahch4 ,for1 by a singular coincidence1 the very day 7#bith ,december1 #ahcg7 on which ,mr4 ,cartwright had moved to bring a bill into the ,house of ,assembly to revest the clergy reserve in ,her ,majesty1 ,sir ,george ,grey penned a despatch to ,sir ,george ,arthur1 in which he disclaimed1 on behalf of the ,imperial ,government1 any wish or intention to interfere1 in the settlement of the clergy reserve question1 with the functions of the ,provincial ,legislature1 on the ground that-- ,such interference would tend to create a not unreasonable suspicion of the sincerity with which the ,legislature have been invited to the exercise of the power to vary or repeal reserved to them on this subject by the ,constitutional ,act of #agia4 ,it is likely that the publication of this despatch prevented the ,house of ,assembly from proceeding any farther with ,mr4 ,cartwright's bill1 than ordering it to a second reading on the #bfth ,february1 #ahch4 ,in this dilemma the ruling party were evidently at a loss how to act4 ,it required much tact and skill to break the ranks of the chief forces arrayed against the scheme to revest the reserves in the ,crown--a scheme distasteful to ,canadians generally1 and subversive of the legislative independence of ,upper ,canada4 ,two methods were therefore adopted3 ,the first was to divide the ,methodists 7as shown in the last chapter74 ,the second and more astute one was to appeal to the professed loyalty of that class which hitherto had been held up to scorn as disloyal1 and denounced as republican in its tendencies1 as well as seditious in their conduct4 ,the appeal was varied in form1 but it was in substance that as those who made it were not themselves afraid to trust their interests in the hands of the ,sovereign1 their opponents should be equally trustful in the equal and entire justice which would be meted out to all of her ,canadian subjects4#ajd ,this appeal1 from its very speciousness1 and the skill with which it was pressed1 had its effect in many cases4 ,but1 as a general rule1 it failed4 ,the object of the decisive change of tactics was too transparent to deceive the more sensible and thoughtful men to whom the appeal was addressed4 ,the two other methods adopted 7already referred to7 were only partially successful2 but the three combined1 no doubt1 strengthened the hands of the advocates of the scheme for the re-investment of the reserves in the ,crown4 ,they1 however1 ceased to press the matter upon public attention1 being determined to bide their time1 and 7as events proved71 to carry their point in another and more skilful way4 ,in the meantime1 and early in #ahci1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was deputed by several important circuits to present loyal addresses to ,sir ,george ,arthur4 ,this he did on the #bnd ,february2 and in enclosing them to the ,governor's secretary1 used language which sounds strange in these days of religious equality4 ,he said3-- ,i feel myself fully authorized1 by various communications and my official position1 to assure ,his ,excellency that the members of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church will not be contented with subordinate civil standing to any other church1 any more than the members of the ,church of ,scotland4 ,they do not1 and never have asked for any peculiar advantages2 but they feel that upon the principles of justice1 by labours1 by usefulness1 by character1 by numbers1 and by the principles laid down in royal despatches1 they are entitled1 in the eye of the law1 and in the administration of an impartial government1 to equal consideration1 and equal advantages with any other church4 ,i am confident that ,i but state a simple fact1 when ,i express our belief that the ,methodist ,church1 in its doctrines1 ministry1 and institutions1 furnishes as formidable a barrier against the irreligion and infidelity of the times as any other section of ,protestantism4 ,nor is it possible for us--notwithstanding our unfeigned respect for ,his ,excellency--to feel ourselves under any obligations to tender our support to another section of the ,protestant ,church1 whose clergy1 in this ,province1 collectively1 officially1 and individually 7with solitary exceptions71 have resisted the attainment of every civil and religious privilege we now enjoy--have twice impeached our character and principles before the ,imperial ,government--who deny the legitimacy of our ministry1 who1 in their doctrines respecting ,church polity1 and several points of faith1 do not represent the doctrines of the ,church of ,england1 or of the established clergy in ,england as a body1 but that section only of the established clergy that have associated with all arbitrary measures of government against various classes of ,protestant non-conformists which have darkened the page of ,british history1 and also the dark ages1 notions of rites and ceremonies1 and the conductor of whose official organ in this ,province has recently represented the ,methodist ministry as the guilty cause of those divine chastisements under the influence of which our land droops and mourns4 ,i am sure my brethren1 as well as myself1 freely forgive the great wrongs thus perpetrated against us2 but we feel ourselves equally bound in duty to ourselves1 to our country1 and to our common ,christianity1 to employ all lawful means to prevent such exclusive1 repulsive1 and proscriptive sentiments from acquiring anything more than equal protection in the ,province4 ,i might appeal to circumstances within ,his ,excellency's knowledge1 to show that from #ahcf to the close of the last session of our ,provincial ,parliament1 ,i have spared no pains--without the remotest view to personal or even ,methodistic advantage--to second1 to the utmost of my humble ability1 any plan to which the ,province might1 under all circumstances1 be induced to concur1 in order to settle the protracted controversy on the clergy reserve question2 and that it has not been1 until ,i have had indubitable proofs that there was no disposition or intention on the side of the ,episcopal clergy to yield a single iota any further than they were compelled4 ,it was not until all these circumstances had transpired1 that we reluctantly determined to appeal against the exclusive and unjust pretensions of the ,episcopal clergy1 to the bar of public opinion--a power recognized by our free constitution1 and which no party or administration can successfully resist many years4 ,the reply of the ,governor was friendly and conciliatory2 but in it he expresses his ,surprise to find that his appeal on a late occasion to the ,wesleyan ,methodists1 to give the ,church of ,england their most cordial support1 had been misunderstood and construed into an expression of sectarian preference4 ,by inviting the ,methodists to such a course of conduct1 ,his ,excellency thought that he was only appealing to a feeling of attachment for the ,church of ,england1 which he had always been induced to consider--especially from personal observation--as a badge of legitimate ,wesleyan ,methodists all over the world4 ,dr4 ,ryerson in his remarks on this reply1 said3-- ,the questions at issue about the clergy reserves do not involve the principle of attachment for the ,church of ,england from the well known fact that many respectable members of that ,church1 in every district throughout the ,province1 concur in the views advocated in the ,guardian on that question--therefore an appeal to attachment for the ,church of ,england as the rule of judgment in this controversy1 much less as a badge of legitimate ,wesleyan ,methodists1 is the very climax of absurdity4 ,the discussions on the clergy reserve question up to the time when the ,house reassembled 7#bgth ,february1 #ahci71 must have convinced the dominant party that it was1 and ever would be1 hopeless1 in the face of the determined opposition which their schemes encountered1 to obtain that which they wanted from the local legislature4 ,they could not again openly bring in a bill 7as they did last year7 to revest the reserves in the ,crown1 in the face of the declarations of the ,colonial ,secretary1 that-- ,imperial ,parliamentary ,legislation on any subject of exclusively internal concern1 in any ,british colony possessing a representative assembly is1 as a general rule1 unconstitutional4 ,it is a right of which the exercise is reserved for extreme cases1 in which necessity at once creates and justifies the exception4 7,lord ,glenelg to ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head1 #eth ,december1 #ahce47 ,they therefore adopted what events proved to be a ruse1 to accomplish their object4 ,it is true that ,sir ,george ,arthur1 in his opening speech1 urged that-- ,the settlement of this vitally important question ought not to be longer delayed4444 ,i confidently hope1 that if the claims of contending parties be advanced 444 in a spirit of moderation and ,christian charity1 the adjustment of them by you will not prove insuperably difficult4 ,the ,governor then adroitly added-- ,but1 should all your efforts for the purpose unhappily fail1 it will then only remain for you to re-invest the reserves in the hands of the ,crown1 and to refer the appropriation of them to the ,imperial ,parliament1 as a tribunal free from those local influences and excitements which may operate too powerfully here4 ,both ,houses1 in apparent good faith1 sought to carry out the wishes of the ,governor as expressed in the first part of his speech4 ,the managers of the scheme indicated in the latter part of the speech initiated a totally different bill in each ,house1 apparently liberal and comprehensive in character1 but yet objectionable in detail4 ,dr4 ,ryerson felt this so strongly that he petitioned to be heard at the ,bar of the ,house of ,assembly against the bill which had been introduced into it4 ,his request was at first granted on the #gth ,april1 by a vote of #bd to #bb1 but afterwards refused by a vote of #ba to #ag4 ,after protracted debates in the ,house of ,assembly and about forty-four divisions1 that ,house sent up its bill to the ,legislative ,council for concurrence4 ,the ,council struck out the whole of the bill after the word whereas1 and substituted one of its own1 and in turn sent it down to the ,house of ,assembly for concurrence4 ,that ,house1 not to be outdone by the other1 struck out the whole of the ,legislative ,council bill1 and substituted a bill of its own1 totally different from the one first sent up to the ,legislative ,council1 the last clause of which read as follows3-- ,the moneys to arise1 and to be procured and henceforth received for any sale or sales of clergy reserve lands shall be paid into the hands of ,her ,majesty's ,receiver-,general of this ,province1 to be appropriated by the ,provincial ,legislature for religion and education4 ,the bill thus constructed needed but the alteration of the last five words to adapt it admirably to the object and purpose of the ,church party4 ,the ,legislative ,council1 therefore1 changed the concluding words in the last clause into the words ,imperial ,parliament for religious purposes4 ,in this apparently simple way1 but in reality1 fundamental manner--and without any attempt at a conference between the ,houses1 with a view to adjust differences--the ,legislative ,council1 taking advantage of a comparatively thin ,house of ,assembly1 made the desired change on the last day of the session4 ,by adroit manoeuvring the agents of the ,church party carried the bill in the ,house of ,assembly thus altered4 ,in this way they succeeded in destroying the whole object of the bill1 as passed by the ,house of ,assembly4 ,sir ,george ,arthur1 in his despatch to the ,colonial ,secretary1 virtually admitted that the passage of the altered bill was due to the fact that it was carried in the ,house of ,assembly by a majority of one vote #bb to #ba1 in a ,house of #dd members1 and at a late hour on the night preceding the prorogation6 ,such were the discreditable circumstances under which the bill re-investing the clergy reserves in the ,crown was passed4 ,it1 however1 required the assent of the ,queen before it became law4 ,this it was destined never to receive1 owing to a technical objection raised in ,england in the following ,october1 that such a delegation to the ,imperial ,parliament could not be made by a subordinate authority4 ,this defeat1 however1 proved to be a moral victory for the vanquished1 as it gave them time for farther deliberation2 it incited them to greater caution in their mode of warfare1 and induced them to adopt tactics of a more secret and1 as it proved1 effective character4 ,,footnotes3 #ajd ,in the ,guardian of ,september #aith1 #ahch1 the question is put in this form and discussed3 ,why do you not appeal to ,her ,majesty's ,privy ,council1 or to the ,high ,court of ,parliament instead of appealing to the public here8 ,the answer was conclusive4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 #ahci4 ,sir ,g4 ,arthur's ,partizanship4--,state of the ,province4 ,the bill for revesting the clergy reserves in the ,crown barely escaped defeat 7as just mentioned7 in the ,house of ,assembly1 on #aath ,may1 #ahci4 ,on the #adth ,sir ,george ,arthur sent the bill to ,lord ,normanby 7successor to ,lord ,glenelg7 for ,her ,majesty's assent1 with an elaborate despatch4 ,on the #aeth1 ,dr4 ,ryerson also addressed to ,lord ,normanby a long letter on the same subject4 ,in it he called the attention of the ,colonial ,secretary to the following facts1 which he discussed at length in his letter3-- #a4 ,that the great majority of the ,house of ,assembly in four successive parliaments had remonstrated against the exclusive pretensions of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada2 and that the claims of the ,church of ,england to be the established ,church of the ,province had from the beginning been steadily denied by such representatives1 and elsewhere4 #b4 ,that the ground of dissatisfaction in the ,province was not merely between the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland1 but between the high-church party1 and the religious denominations and the inhabitants of the ,province generally4 #c4 ,that from the beginning the ,house of ,assembly had protested against any appropriation of the clergy reserves being made to the ,church of ,england1 not granted equally for educational purposes to the other ,christian denominations4 #d4 ,that notwithstanding the annual remonstrances of the ,house of ,assembly1 large grants had been paid since #ahbg1 to the ,episcopal ,clergy1 exclusive of grants by the ,imperial ,parliament and the ,propagation ,society4 #e4 ,that under these circumstances it was not surprising that there should be a widespread and deeply seated dissatisfaction4 ,it is rather surprising that a vestige of ,british power exists in the ,province4 #f4 ,that ,sir ,george ,arthur has for the last five months endeavoured--by official proclamations and other published communications through public offices1 and by military influences in various parts of the ,province--to prevent any expression of opinion on this subject1 even by petition to the ,legislature4 #g4 ,that the ,lieutenant-,governor has been induced to make himself a partizan with the ,episcopal ,church in the clergy reserve discussion2 the entire influence of the ,executive has been thrown into that scale2 the representation of impartial sovereignty has been made the watchword of party4 #h4 ,that under the pretense of resisting brigand invasion1 large militia forces have been raised2 violent penniless partizans have been put on pay in preference to respectable and loyal men2 and these forces have not been placed on the frontier where invasion might have been expected1 but have been scattered in parties over many parts of the interior1 in order to exterminate discontent by silencing complaint4 ,these1 with a reference to the embarrassed financial condition of the ,province1 were the chief points to which ,dr4 ,ryerson called the attention of the ,colonial ,secretary in this elaborate letter4 ,on the #bbnd of the same month 7,may7 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed another vigorous letter to ,lord ,normanby1 on the clergy reserves and kindred questions4 ,that letter1 he says1 he writes with feelings which he has no language to express4 ,the main points of the letter were as follows3-- #a4 ,for thirty years 7up to #ahbj7 nothing was heard of an ecclesiastical establishment in the ,province3 all classes felt themselves equally free1 and were1 therefore1 equally contented and happy4 #b4 ,from the first open and unequivocal pretensions to a state establishment being made1 the inhabitants of ,upper ,canada1 in every constitutional way1 have resisted and remonstrated against it4 #c4 ,every appropriation and grant to the ,episcopal clergy out of the lands and funds of the ,province has been made in the very teeth of the country's remonstrance4 #d4 ,the utter powerlessness of the representative branch of the ,legislature has rendered the officers and dependents and partizans of the ,executive more and more despotic1 overbearing1 and reckless of the feelings of the country4 #e ,this most blighting of all partizanship has been carried into every department of the ,executive ,government--the magistracy1 militia1 and even into the administration of justice4 ,its poison is working throughout the whole body politic2 it destroys the peace of the country2 rouses neighbour against neighbour2 weakens the best social affections of the human heart1 and awakens its worst passions2 and converts a healthy and fertile province into a pandemonium of strife1 discontent1 and civil commotion4 #f4 ,while upwards of #bbj1jjj 7besides lands7 have been given to the ,episcopal clergy since #ahbg1 the grants made by the ,imperial ,parliament to the clergy of ,upper ,canada amount to over #djj1jjj1 being over #fbj1jjj in all4 #g4 ,a very large sum has been expended in the erection of ,upper ,canada ,college1 on the grounds of ,king's ,college1 and with an endowment of #h1jjj or #aj1jjj a year4 ,this institution is wholly under the management of ,episcopal clergymen1 while the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 which has been built at ,cobourg by the ,methodists at a cost of about #dj1jjj1 could not without a severe struggle get even the #af1jjj which were directed to be paid over to it by ,lord ,glenelg4 ,the matter had to be contested with ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head on the floor of the ,house of ,assembly before he could be induced to obey the ,royal instructions4 7,page #agi47 #h4 ,in the recent legislation on the clergy reserve question1 the high church party resisted every measure by which the ,methodist ,church might obtain a farthing's aid to the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,and1 to add insult to injury1 the high church people denounce ,methodists as republicans1 rebels1 traitors1 and use every possible epithet and insinuation of contumely because they complain1 reason1 and remonstrate against such barefaced oppression and injustice--notwithstanding that not a single member of that church has been convicted of complicity with the late unhappy troubles in the ,province4 #i4 ,a perpetuation of the past and present obnoxious and withering system1 will not only continue to drive thousands of industrious farmers and tradesmen from the country1 but will prompt thousands more1 before they will sacrifice their property and expatriate themselves1 to advocate constitutionally1 openly1 and decidedly1 the erection of an independent kingdom1 as has been suggested by the ,attorney-,general1 as best both for this province and ,great ,britain4 #aj4 ,it rests with ,her ,majesty's ,government to decide whether or not the inhabitants shall be treated as strangers and helots2 whether the blighted hopes of this province shall wither and die1 or revive1 and bloom1 and flourish2 whether ,her ,majesty's ,canadian subjects shall be allowed the legitimate constitutional control of their own earnings1 or whether the property sufficient to pay off the large provincial debt shall be wrested from them2 whether honour1 loyalty1 free and responsible government are to be established in this province1 or whether our resources are to be absorbed in support of pretensions which have proved the bane of religion in the country2 have fomented discord2 emboldened1 if not prompted1 rebellion2 turned the tide of capital and emigration to other shores2 impaired public credit2 arrested trade and commerce1 and caused ,upper ,canada to stand like a girdled tree1 its drooping branches mournfully betraying that its natural nourishment has been deliberately cut off4 ,in a third and concluding letter to ,lord ,normanby1 ,dr4 ,ryerson uses this language3-- ,the great body of the inhabitants of this province will not likely again petition on the question of the clergy reserves and a church establishment in this province4 ,they will express their sentiments at the hustings with a vengeance1 to the confusion of the men who have deceived1 and misrepresented1 and wronged them2 444 ,a petition would acknowledge the right of the ,imperial ,parliament to interfere--which ought not to be admitted4 ,if past expressions of public sentiment will not satisfy ,her ,majesty's ,government1 none other can do it2 and more efficient means 7such as the coming elections71 must and ought to be adopted1 instead of the fruitless method of asking by petition for what has been guaranteed to the constituencies of the country as a right4 ,the validity of the recent ,act of the ,legislature1 revesting the reserves in the ,crown1 never will be acknowledged1 or recognized by the electors of this province4 ,any ,ministers of the ,crown in ,england would more than lose their places1 who should press through the ,house of ,commons1 on the last night of the session1 in a thin house1 a great public measure which had not only been repealed by four successive parliaments1 but had been negatived from six to twelve times during the same session of the existing parliament4 ,nor would the ,british nation ever submit to any public measure 7much less to loss of the control of one-seventh of their lands1 and the infliction upon them of an uncongenial ecclesiastical system7 which had been forced upon them4 ,the declarations of the ,representative of ,royalty have heretofore been regarded in this province as sacred and inviolable2 but the reliance of the ,canadian electors upon those declarations from the lips of ,sir ,francis ,head has cost them bloodshed1 bankruptcy1 and misery4444 ,the electors will employ the elective franchise to redress their accumulated wrongs to the last farthing4 ,it is1 of course1 my good or bad fortune to be assailed from week to week1 whether ,i write or not4444 ,i am no theorist4 ,i advocate no change in the ,constitution of the ,province4 ,i have never written a paragraph the principles of which could not be carried out in accordance with the letter and spirit of the established ,constitution4 ,i desire nothing more than the free and impartial administration of that ,constitution for the benefit of all classes of ,her ,majesty's subjects4 ,i only oppose or support men1 or measures1 for the attainment of that object4 ,entertaining such strong feelings in regard to the personal conduct of ,sir ,george ,arthur in respect to the passage of the clergy reserve bill1 ,dr4 ,ryerson felt that he could not accept any social courtesy at his hands4 ,in reply1 therefore1 to an invitation from ,sir ,george1 for ,her ,majesty's birthday1 he felt constrained to decline it4 ,in his letter to the ,a4,d4,c41 he said3-- ,after the most mature deliberation up to the last moment in which it is proper to reply1 ,i feel it my duty respectfully to decline the honour of ,his ,excellency's invitation4 ,i most firmly believe that the office of impartial sovereignty has been employed by ,his ,excellency for partial purposes2 that an undue and an unconstitutional exercise of the office of royalty has been employed by ,his ,excellency to influence the public mind1 and the decisions of our constitutional tribunals on pending and debatable questions between equally loyal and deserving classes of ,her ,majesty's subjects in this ,province2 that ,his ,excellency has also employed the influence of the high office of the ,queen's representative to procure and afterwards express his cordial satisfaction at the passing of a ,bill1 in a thin ,house1 on the very last night of the session1 the provisions of which had been repeatedly negatived by a considerable majority of the people's representatives1 and which deprive the faithful but embarrassed inhabitants of this ,province of the control of a revenue and lands sufficient in value to pay off the whole public debt--a proceeding at complete variance with the fair and constitutional administration of a free monarchical government1 and the imperial usages since the accession of the present ,royal ,family to the throne of ,great ,britain2 and1 finally1 that ,his ,excellency has employed the influence of his high office to the disparagement of the large section of the religious community whose views1 rights1 and interests1 ,i have been elected to my present offices to advocate and promote4 ,i beg that my declining the honour proposed by ,his ,excellency may not be construed into any disrespect to ,his ,excellency personally1 or to the high office ,his ,excellency holds--for the inviolableness and dignity of which ,i feel the jealous veneration of a loyal subject--but ,i beg that it may be attributed solely to a fixed determination not to do anything that may in the slightest degree tend to weaken1 but on the contrary1 to use every lawful means1 on all occasions1 to advance those civil and religious interests which ,i am most fully convinced are essential to the happy preservation of a prosperous ,british ,government in this country1 and to the happiness and welfare of the great body of ,her ,majesty's ,canadian subjects4 ,in order to insure the assent of ,her ,majesty to the ,bill which had been sent to the ,colonial ,secretary by ,sir ,george ,arthur1 the authorities of the ,church of ,england in the ,province circulated a petition for presentation to the ,queen and the ,british ,parliament#aje containing the following statement and request3-- ,your petitioners1 consisting of the ,united ,empire ,loyalists and their children1 took refuge in this ,province after the ,american ,revolution1 under the impression that they possessed the same constitution as that of the ,mother ,country1 which includes a decent provision for the administration of the ,word and ,sacraments according to the forms of the ,church of ,england4 ,the prayer of the petition was-- ,that the proceeds of the clergy reserve lands be applied to the maintenance of such clergy1 and of a bishop to superintend the same1 so that the ministrations of our ,holy ,religion may be afforded without charge#ajf to the inhabitants of every township in the ,province4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 having with difficulty procured a copy of this petition1 pointed out in the ,guardian of ,july #crd1 #ahci3 #ast4 ,its historical misstatements1 and denounced the selfish and exclusive character of its demands4 ,he showed in effect that the ,province was settled in #aghc1 whereas the constitutional ,act 7which was invoked as though it had existed long before that date71 was not passed until #agia--;eight years after the ,united ,empire ,loyalists and their children took refuge in ,upper ,canada4 #bnd4 ,that for forty years and more1 nine-tenths of the ,united ,empire ,loyalists and their descendants1 with all their impressions1 might have perished in heathen ignorance had not some other than the ,episcopal clergy cared for their spiritual interests2 and that after these forty years of slumbering and neglect1 and after the incorporation of the great body of the old ,loyalists and their descendants into other churches1 the ,episcopal clergy came in1 and now seek1 on the strength of these apocryphal impressions 7which never could have existed71 to claim one-seventh of the lands of the ,province as their heritage4#ajg ,in proof of these facts ,dr4 ,ryerson referred to the testimony of fifty-two witnesses1 given before a select ,committee of the ,house of ,assembly in #ahbh1 and published in full at that time4 ,i have purposely abstained from making any special reference to discussions in the clergy reserve question with which ,dr4 ,ryerson had no connection4 ,an important one1 however1 took place between ,hon4 ,wm4 ,morris and ,archdeacon ,strachan in #ahch-ci1 chiefly in regard to the claims of the ,church of ,scotland4 ,mr4 ,morris1 however1 did good service in the general discussion4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in ,november1 #ahch1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received a letter from ,thomas ,farmer1 ,esq41 of ,london1 ,england1 in regard to the ,centenary ,celebration1 to which he replied as follows3-- ,our prospects as a country are rather gloomy4 ,we have lately had the excitement and loss produced by ,lord ,durham's departure1 and the second rebellion in ,lower ,canada1 followed in a few days by a brigand invasion of this province to distract and destroy us4 ,you refer to a ,centenary ,offering4 ,i cannot say what we shall be able to do4 ,we have not the slightest provision yet for the education of preacher's children2 nor a contingent fund to aid poor circuits1 or to relieve the distressed preachers' families2 and an unpaid for ,book ,room1 and not an entirely paid for ,academy2--all of which subjects have engaged our most anxious consideration2--but in the present entirely unsettled state of our public affairs1 we scarcely know what to do in respect to the future4 ,we cannot1 therefore1 as yet fix upon the objects of our ,centenary ,offering4 ,the ,methodist ,centenary ,year occurred in #ahci4 ,the ,conference set apart the #beth ,october for its celebration1 ,by holding religious services in all of our chapels and congregations1 for the purpose of calling to mind the great things which the ,lord has done for us as a people2 of solemnly recognizing our obligations and responsibilities to our ,heavenly ,father2 and of imploring1 on behalf of ourselves and the whole ,wesleyan ,methodist family throughout the world1 a continuance and increase of religious happiness1 unity and prosperity4 ,meetings were held all over the ,province during the months of ,august1 ,september and ,october1 for the collection of a centenary offering1 to be applied to the ,superannuation ,fund1 ,book ,room1 ,parsonages1 ,missionary1 and other objects4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 as one of a deputation1 attended a large number of meetings4 ,writing from ,brockville1 he mentions the fact that he ,stopped at a graveyard1 a few miles west of ,prescott1 to survey the graves of some of the honoured dead4 ,the remains of ,mrs4 ,heck1 the devoted matron who urged ,philip ,embury 7the first ,methodist preacher in ,america7 to lift up his voice in the city of ,new ,york1 in #agff1 are deposited here4 ,,footnotes3 #aje ,see note on page #bbd4 #ajf ,this selfish demand--that the ministrations of our ,holy ,religion be afforded without charge to the inhabitants of every township 7in which members of the ,church of ,england were persistently educated in those days7--was most unfortunate in its influence on the ,church1 and has borne bitter fruit in these later times4 ,its legitimate effect has been to dry up the sources of ,christian benevolence1 paralyze the arm of ,christian effort1 and secularize1 if not render impossible1 any successful plan of ,church extension and missionary work4 ,witness the almost complete failure 7as compared with other ,christian bodies7 to raise sufficient funds to support even the limited number of ,home missions in most of the dioceses1 and the nearly hopeless task of infusing a genuine missionary zeal in behalf of the regions beyond4 #ajg ,it should be noted1 in connection with this petition1 that one most important part of its prayer was granted in that year--viz41 the appointment of the ,archdeacon 7who went to ,england to present the petitions and to receive the appointment7 as first ,bishop of ,toronto4 ,his patent bears date1 #bgth ,july1 #ahci4 ,the other part of the prayer was also granted1 but not until #ahdj1 when ,lord ,john ,russell1 then ,colonial ,secretary1 by an unprecedented and unlooked for stretch of official authority1 but no doubt with the assent of his colleagues1 introduced a bill into the ,house of ,commons to do what even he and other ,colonial ,secretaries had deprecated doing--viz41 the re-investing of the reserves in the ,crown4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 then in ,england1 strongly protested against this act of provincial spoliation and legislative invasion1 but the bill became law4 7,see next chapter47 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 #ahch-ahdj4 ,the ,new ,era--,lord ,durham and ,lord ,sydenham4 ,in the midst of the gloom which overspread the ,province1 in consequence of the long continued exercise of irresponsible and arbitrary power on the part of the local executive1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 like many other loyal-hearted ,canadians1 rejoiced at the advent of ,lord ,durham1--a man possessed of plenary powers to inquire into and report on the grievances existing in ,canada4 ,those who wished to perpetuate the reign of the ruling party1 strongly deprecated ,dr4 ,ryerson's advocacy of ,lord ,durham's schemes of reform4 ,one of the most respectable organs#ajh of that party 7,neilson's ,quebec ,gazette7 in a complimentary editorial on ,dr4 ,ryerson 7in ,may1 #ahci71 expressed regret that a man of his undoubted talents and great industry should have endorsed ,lord ,durham's system of ,responsible ,government4 ,in the ,guardian of the #eth ,june1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied1 pointing out the fair and equitable system of ,responsible ,government advocated by ,lord ,durham1 as compared with the crude one put forth by ,messrs4 ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie and ,l4 ,j4 ,papineau4 ,he then illustrates the necessity for the reform proposed by ,lord ,durham1 by referring to the arbitrary and irresponsible acts of ,sir ,francis ,head4 ,he said3-- ,the published word of the ,representative of ,royalty had until ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head's time been sacred and inviolable in ,upper ,canada2 the majority of the people believed him4 ,in #ahcf they elected a ,house of ,assembly in accordance with his wishes4 ,he fulfilled his pledges by dismissing many of the magistrates and militia officers1 because they voted against his candidates at the elections1 and finished his career by plunging the country into misery1 and thereby insuring its ruin4 ,now1 where 7he asked7 was the responsibility under which 444 such a ,governor acts8 ,he abuses the confidence reposed in him1--where is his censure8 ,he disobeys the orders given him from ,england1--where is his punishment8 ,he ruins men ,bidwell1 etc4 whom he was ordered to appoint1--where is their redress1 and his accountability8 ,they are exiles1 and he is made a ,baronet6 ,he disgraces and degrades numbers of persons without colour of reason1 or justice1 or law--yet they are without redress1 and he is even without reproof4 ,he tramples upon the orders from ,her ,majesty's ,government1 and attacks her ministers in their places--then returns to ,england1 and boasts of his disobedience4444 ,and there are those who tell us of the responsibility of our ,governors to the ,queen and ,parliament6444 ,the history of ,sir ,f4 ,b4 ,head's administration is enough to make the veriest bigot a convert to ,responsible ,government4 ,for these and other important reasons it can be seen how the great question of the day 7in #ahci7 was that of responsible government for these provinces4 ,dr4 ,ryerson and others had written freely on the subject1 claiming that the government of the country should be administered1 as it was then expressed--according to the well understood wishes of the people4 ,this could only be done by men representing their wishes1 and responsible to the legislature for their exercise of power and for every official act of the ,governor4 ,in ,october1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received a letter on this subject from a well-known advocate of the principle of responsible government in ,nova ,scotia--,hon4 ,joseph ,howe4 ,he said3-- ,may ,i beg your acceptance of a little work on responsible government1 the object of which is to advance the good cause in which you have so heartily and with so much ability embarked4 ,it is a great satisfaction to the friends of responsible government here1 that the cause has been taken up in ,canada by men about whose intentions and loyalty there can be no mistake4 ,so long as we deprive the family compact of their only defence1 which the folly of rebels and sympathizers raised for them1 and act together without just cause for suspicion that we are anything but what we say1 there can be little doubt of ultimate success4 ,should your electors return a majority favourable to responsibility at the next election1 and all the colonies unite in one demand1 it will be yielded4 ,our legislature1 and any that can be chosen here1 will uphold the principle4 ,so will the majorities in ,newfoundland1 and ,prince ,edward ,island1 and ,new ,brunswick4 ,i cannot speak with certainty1 but hope they will soon understand the question thoroughly in that province4 ,it may be necessary for all the provinces to send delegates at the same time to ,england1 to claim to be heard on the subject at the ,bar of the ,commons and ,lords1 and to diffuse1 through every fair channel1 correct views of the question4 ,think of this1 and drop me a line at your leisure4 ,this ,dr4 ,ryerson did in due time4 ,the coming of ,lord ,durham was the first harbinger of better days for ,canada4 ,his mission was one of enquiry1 and for the suggestion of remedial measures4 ,the mission of ,mr4 ,poulett ,thompson 7who followed ,lord ,durham as ,governor-,general7 was hailed with delight by the people generally4 ,he came to give practical effect to pressing measures of reform--to unite the provinces1 and to introduce a new element of strength into the administrative system of the country4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the year #ahci was noted for the enthusiasm with which ,durham ,meetings were held throughout ,upper ,canada4 ,these meetings were for the purpose of endorsing the famous report of ,lord ,durham1 and for approving of the many valuable reforms which that report suggested4 ,much opposition and even violence characterized these meetings2 but they revived and again inaugurated the right of free speech on public questions4 ,the only record which ,dr4 ,ryerson has left of this period of his history is as follows3-- ,in #ahch ,i yielded to persuasion and remonstrances1 and was again re-elected ,editor1 and continued as such until ,june1 #ahdj1 when ,i relinquished finally all connection with the ,editorship of the ,christian ,guardian4 ,it was during this period1 from #ahcc to #ahdj1 that the most important events transpired in ,upper ,canada2 the controversy respecting the clergy reserves1 and a church establishment1 was steadily and earnestly maintained4 ,the constitution of ,lower ,canada was suspended for two years1 and an ,executive ,council ,government was established in its place4 ,the dominant party in ,upper ,canada by liberal professions succeeded in the elections1 in #ahcf2 but1 instead of adopting a just and liberal policy1 they sought to exclude all ,reformers from a share in the ,government as virtual rebels1 and set themselves to promote a high-church establishment policy1 to the exclusion of the ,methodists and members of other religious denominations4 ,this unwise1 unjust1 and inverted-pyramid policy laid the foundation for a new agitation4 ,the ,methodists were the only party capable of coping with the revived high-church policy to crush out the rights of other denominations and the liberties of the country1 and to paralyze their influence4 ,the ,presbyterians being divided1 the ,canadian ,conference was not to be deterred1 or moved from its principles1 avowed and maintained for more than ten years2 the result was a contest between the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences1 which culminated in #ahdj in a separation of the two bodies1 and a conflict of seven years--wholly political--for ,london ,wesleyan1 ,english superiority1 and tory ascendancy on the one side1 and ,canadian ,methodist and ,canadian liberty on the other side4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is not my purpose to enter into detail1 except in so far as ,dr4 ,ryerson became an actor in the new scenes and events which followed the appointment of ,mr4 ,charles ,poulett ,thompson as ,governor-,general4 ,mr4 ,poulett ,thompson arrived in ,quebec on the #aith ,october1 #ahci1 and in ,toronto on the #bast ,november4 ,as ,governor-,general1 he superseded both ,sir ,john ,colborne at ,quebec and ,sir ,george ,arthur at ,toronto4 ,on the #crd ,december1 the ,governor-,general opened the ,upper ,canada ,legislature2 and on that very day ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed to him an elaborate letter on the chief object of his mission4 ,in referring to the clergy reserve question1 he said3-- ,for sixteen years this question has been a topic of ceaseless discussion2 and one on which the sentiments and feelings of a very large majority of the inhabitants have been without variation expressed2 notwithstanding that ,governor has succeeded ,governor1 and party has succeeded party4444 ,from the time when1 at the elections of #ahbd1 the sentiments of the country were first called forth to the present moment1 its collective voice has demanded1 what your ,excellency has avowed on another subject1 equal justice to all of ,her ,majesty's subjects4 ,this question is the parent of social discord in ,upper ,canada2 all the other party questions have originated in this4 ,the elevation of one class above all others in a community where there is little diversity of rank or intelligence1 begets a necessity for special means to support that elevation4 ,hence partizan appointments to office2 hence partizan administration of offices2 hence party animosities1 embittered by the jealousies of conscious weakness on one side1 and a deep sense of unmerited exclusion and provocation on the other4444 ,hence on the one side a selfish1 insolent1 baseless ecclesiastical and political oligarchy1 and1 on the other side1 an abused1 an injured1 and dissatisfied country4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the bill providing for the vesting of the proceeds of the reserves in the ,imperial ,parliament1 to which ,i have referred in the preceeding chapter1 was not sanctioned by ,her ,majesty4 ,this was a sore blow and a heavy discouragement to those who had laboured so assiduously to carry such a bill through the local ,legislature4 ,the objection raised to it by ,lord ,john ,russell was twofold4 ,the chief reason1 however1 was thus expressed3-- ,it appeared to ,her ,majesty's ,government that strong objections existed to this delegation to ,parliament by a subordinate authority of the power of legislation4 ,the proceeding should have been by address to the three estates of the ,realm1 asking them to undertake the decision of the question4 ,thus by a stroke of ,lord ,john ,russell's pen1 the whole of the pet scheme of the ruling party1 devised after three months' anxious local legislation1 was irrecoverably lost4 ,and yet it was not lost1 for by the after careful manipulation of ,lord ,john and his colleagues by ,bishop ,strachan1 ,lord ,seaton 7,sir ,john ,colborne7 and ,sir ,george ,arthur1 that bill afterwards proved to be1 for ten years1 the basis of a far more sweeping and unjust measure than even the most reckless and partizan member of the ,legislature in ,upper ,canada would have ventured to propose4 ,when it was known that ,her ,majesty had declined to sanction ,sir ,george ,arthur's bill1 steps were taken by the ,governor-,general to devise such a measure as would meet with the approval of the great mass of the people in ,upper ,canada4 ,to aid him in accomplishing this desirable end1 ,mr4 ,poulett ,thompson privately sought the aid of leading public men in the ,province4 ,having obtained their assistance1 he1 with the advice of his ,council1 prepared a compromise measure which was designed to be just and equitable to all parties concerned4 ,on the #fth ,january1 #ahdj1 the ,governor-,general sent a message to the ,house of ,assembly1 in which he thus outlines the measure which1 with his sanction1 ,hon4 ,solicitor-,general ,draper submitted to the ,house3-- ,the ,governor-,general proposes that the remainder of the land should be sold1 and the annual proceeds of the whole fund1 when realized1 be distributed one half to the ,episcopal and ,presbyterian ,churches1 and the other half among other religious bodies desiring to share in it for the support of religious instruction within the ,province1 and for the promotion there1 of the great and sacred objects for which these different bodies are established or associated4 ,on this bill1 ,dr4 ,ryerson remarked3-- ,from this message1 the hopelessness of success in any further attempts to get the annual proceeds of the reserves appropriated to exclusively secular objects1 is apparent4444 ,up to the present time ,i have employed my best efforts1 by every kind of argument1 persuasion and entreaty1 to get the proceeds applied simply and solely to educational purposes4444 ,this is unattainable1 and is rendered so by an original provision of our ,constitution 7of #agia71 as stated by the ,governor-,general4 ,the bill was fiercely attacked by the then newly-appointed ,bishop of ,toronto4 ,he denounced it as-- ,depriving the ,national ,church of nearly three-fourths of her acknowledged property1 and then1 in mockery and derision1 offering her back a portion of her own1 so trifling as to be totally insufficient to maintain her present ,establishment2 it tramples on the faith of the ,british ,government by destroying the birthright of all the members of the ,established ,church who are now in the province1 or who may hereafter come into it2 it promotes error1 schism and dissent1 and seeks to degrade the clergy of the ,church of ,england to an equality with unauthorized teachers1 etc4 ,the ,bishop then uttered1 that which events proved to be a memorable and true prophecy1 that the ,church-- ,need be under no great apprehension in regard to any measure likely to pass the ,provincial ,legislature on the subject of the reserves3--reckless injustice in their disposition will not be permitted2 although the ,church may appear friendless and in peril1 from the defection and treachery of some professing members4444 ,if any of her children incline to despondency1 let them turn their eyes to ,england1 where we have protectors both numerous and powerful1 watching our struggles1 and holding out the hand of fellowship and assistance4 ,see next page4 ,dr4 ,ryerson at once joined issue with the ,bishop1 and-- ,confuted the pretensions of ,john ,toronto by the doctrines and statements of ,john ,strachan1 who1 when in ,england in #ahbg1 published a pamphlet in which he stated that the provincial legislatures have nothing to do1 either directly or indirectly1 with the ,romish ,church2 but the same legislatures may vary1 repeal1 or modify the #cast ,geo4 ,,iii41 cap4 #ca1 as far as it respects the ,church of ,england4 ,dr4 ,ryerson pertinently asked the ,bishop-- ,how could a birthright be varied1 repealed1 or modified1 as he had admitted that the constitutional act could do1 as far as it respects the ,church of ,england8 ,can 7he asks7 the ,legislature vary or repeal the deeds by which individuals hold their lands8--,which of the dissenting denominations recognized by law is not as orthodox in doctrine as the ,church of ,england1 and far more orthodox than those who endorse the ,oxford ,tracts for the ,times8 ,the bill was finally passed in the ,house of ,assembly1 by a vote of #ca to #g1 and in the ,legislative ,council1 by a vote of #ac to #d1 notwithstanding a remarkably outspoken and defiant speech from the ,bishop4 ,in it he used the following language3 ,feeling that the bill provides for the encouragement and propagation of error2 inflicts the grossest injustice by robbing and plundering the ,national ,church2 that it attempts to destroy all distinction between truth and falsehood2 that its anti-,christian tendencies lead directly to infidelity1 and will reflect disgrace on the ,legislature1 ,i give it my unqualified opposition4 ,the ,bishop again utters his prediction1 and stated that what he wanted would be secured in ,england4 ,he said-- ,at the same time ,i have no fear of its ever becoming law4 ,but it may be useful1 for its monstrous and unprincipled provisions will teach the ,imperial ,government the folly of permitting a ,colonial ,legislature to tamper with those great and holy principles of the ,constitution1 on the preservation of which the prosperity and happiness of the ,british ,empire must ever depend4 ,although it was almost impossible to reason with any one who would deliberately use such extravagant language1 yet ,dr4 ,ryerson replied to the ,bishop's statements seriatim4 ,with a touch of irony1 he said3-- ,after penning such an effusion1 the ,bishop might well betake himself to the ,litany of his ,church1 and pray the good ,lord to deliver him--from all blindness of heart2 from pride1 vain glory and hypocrisy2 from envy1 hatred and malice1 and all uncharitableness4 ,the fate of the bill is thus described in a statement on the subject1 prepared by ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,what he details clearly reveals the powerful and sympathetic influences which the ,bishop of ,toronto was able successfully to bring to bear upon ,henry of ,exeter--the then leader of the ,bench of ,bishops1--and1 through him1 upon the other ,bishops in the ,house of ,lords4 ,besides1 ,sir ,john ,colborne 7now ,lord ,seaton7 took strong ground in the ,house of ,lords in favour of the views of his old friend1 ,bishop ,strachan1 and aided the ,english ,bishops in giving them practical effect4 ,thus the reiterated prophecy of the ,bishop of ,toronto was not uttered without abundant foreknowledge4 ,it proved too true4 ,knowing this1 he no doubt felt free to deal in strong language1 both against the ,legislature of ,upper ,canada1 and the members of the ,church of ,england in both ,houses1 who were too patriotic1 just and reasonable1 as well as far-seeing1 to second his efforts to aggrandize the ,church at the expense1 and against the strongly-expressed and oft-repeated wishes1 of the majority of the people1 of ,upper ,canada4 ,he said3 ,on the bill being sent to ,england 7accompanied by a most energetic despatch from the ,governor-,general1 imploring ,her ,majesty's ,government not to disallow1 but to sanction it71 the ,bishop of ,exeter moved in the ,house of ,lords1 that the question of the right to the clergy reserve property in ,canada should be referred to the twelve ,judges of ,england2 but the decision of the ,judges having proved adverse to the exclusive pretensions of the ,bishop of ,exeter and his party in ,england and ,canada1 the ,english ,bishops then conferred with ,lord ,john ,russell1 in order to set aside ,lord ,sydenham's ,canadian bill1 and introduce one into the ,imperial ,parliament which would accomplish as far as possible the objects aimed at by referring the question to the ,judges4 ,lord ,john ,russell became a consenting party and agent in this unconstitutional act of injustice and spoliation against the rights and feelings of a large majority of the people of ,upper ,canada4 ,it was against this act that ,messrs4 ,w4 and ,e4 ,ryerson 7then in ,england71 on behalf of the ,wesleyan ,church in ,canada1 remonstrated in an elaborate and strongly-worded letter to ,lord ,john ,russell--the only communication of the kind made by any religious body in ,canada against the bill while it was before the ,british ,parliament1 or for several years afterwards4 ,knowing the strong influences which had been brought to bear upon ,mr4 ,poulett ,thompson against ,dr4 ,ryerson1 by ,sir ,george ,arthur 7page #aic71 and against the ,methodist body generally by interested parties in this discussion1 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed a letter to the ,governor-,general on the #beth ,march1 #ahdj1 in which he reviewed the course of the ,guardian and his own attitude on public questions during the preceding ten years4 ,the letter was evidently written with deep feeling1 and under a keen sense of the injustice done to the ,methodist people by means of the prolonged and persistent misrepresentation of these years4 ,he said3-- ,i address your ,excellency with feelings of the highest respect and strong affection4 ,you are the first ,governor of ,canada who has exerted his personal influence and the authority of his station1 to accomplish that in ,upper ,canada which has been avowed and promised by every ,colonial-,secretary during the last ten years--framing enactments and administering the ,government for the equal protection and benefit of all classes of ,her ,majesty's ,canadian subjects4444 ,in doing so1 your ,excellency has been told that you have patronized republicans and rebels4 444 ,the ,guardian1 which you have been pleased to honour with an expression of your approbation1 has been charged with opposite crimes from different quarters4444 ,you have been told that the ministers of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church--whose rights you have justly and kindly consulted--have formerly come from the ,united ,states2 and that the ,guardian1 during the first years of its existence1 was nothing but a vehicle of radicalism1 disaffection1 and sedition4444 ,as to the former1 ,i may say that the ,methodist ministers have not come from 444 the ,united ,states during the last twenty years4444 ,as to the latter1 ,i furnish three columns of extracts from the ,guardian1 444 from which the following may be adduced3-- #a4 ,that in #ahcj ,i entertained less friendship towards our ,american neighbours than ,i do in #ahdj4 #b4 ,that in #ahcj ,i advocated the very principles in the administration of the ,provincial ,government that your ,excellency has declared to be the basis of your administration in #ahdj4 #c4 ,that in #ahcj ,i was as strongly opposed to an exclusive1 or sectarian1 spirit as ,i am in #ahdj4 #d4 ,that the very advice which ,i gave to the electors in #ahcj1 as to their rights and interests1 ,i could now repeat with a view to support your ,excellency's administration4 #e4 ,that the very principles upon which your ,excellency has commenced your administration1 444 were actually promised and assured to the people of ,upper ,canada by a ,tory ,government in #ahcj4 ,in #ahcj the ,colonial-,secretary and ,sir ,john ,colborne proclaimed the good laws and free institutions1 and the non-preference system amongst religious denominations1 which your ,excellency is determined to carry into practice4444 ,when the hopes created by these avowals have not only been deferred for these years1 but those who have indulged these hopes have been maligned and proscribed for constitutionally seeking a realization of them1 you cannot be surprised if many of their hearts have been made sick1 and that confidence and hope has yielded to distrust and despair4 ,the ,governor-,general1 through his private secretary1 often requested ,dr4 ,ryerson1 while ,editor of the ,guardian1 to correct misstatements which were made in regard to ,his ,excellency's proceedings4#aji ,after an interview with ,his ,excellency1 at his request1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in a letter dated #dth ,april1 #ahdj1 made a practical suggestion as to the desirability of establishing the ,monthly ,review1 as a means of disseminating the liberal views which he entertained in regard to the future government of this country1 and also as an organ of public opinion in harmony with these views4 ,it was at first proposed that ,dr4 ,ryerson should edit the ,review1 but after fuller consideration of the matter he declined1 and the editing and management of it was1 at his suggestion1 placed in the hands of ,john ,waudby1 ,esq41 ,editor of the ,kingston ,herald4 ,it was issued in ,toronto early in #ahda1 but ceased on the death of ,lord ,sydenham1 in ,september of that year4 ,in ,dr4 ,ryerson's letter to the ,governor he said3-- ,about a fortnight after your ,excellency left ,toronto1 ,i happened in the course of conversation with ,hon4 ,r4 ,b4 ,sullivan to mention the subject of establishing a monthly periodical1 such as ,i had mentioned to you4 ,mr4 ,sullivan was anxious that something of the kind should be undertaken2 ,i stated to him that ,i understood that your ,excellency would highly approve of such a publication1 if it could be successfully established4 ,mr4 ,sullivan pressed me to prepare a prospectus and submit it for your ,excellency's consideration4 ,i drew up a prospectus1 and got an estimate of the cost1 covering all expenses4 ,mr4 ,sullivan fully concurred in the prospectus1 except the first paragraph4 ,he was afraid it might be construed into an expression of opinion in favour of responsible ,government1 and proposed another paragraph in place of it4 ,the one was as acceptable to me as the other4 ,a feeling of apprehension and embarrassment at the responsibilities of such an undertaking1 and the course of exertion which a successful accomplishment of it would require1 has deterred me from forwarding1 until now1 the accompanying prospectus for your ,excellency's perusal and signification of your pleasure thereon4#aaj ,i cannot but see that the public mind in this country is in a chaotic state1 without any controlling current of feeling1 or fixed principle of action1 in civil affairs2 but susceptible1 by proper management and instruction1 of being cast into any mould of rational opinion and feeling2 yet liable1 without judicious direction1 to fall into a state of confusion worse confounded4 ,i know that now is the time--perhaps the only time--to establish our institutions and relations upon the cheapest1 the surest1 and the only permanent foundation of any system1 or form of ,government--the sentiments and feelings of the population4 ,but ,i alone have not the means or the power of contributing to the accomplishment of these objects4 ,to the utmost of my humble abilities and acquirements1 ,i am willing to exert myself2 and that without a shillings' remuneration--although my present salary is less than #bjj per annum4 ,i believe the government about to be established in these provinces may be made the most enduring and loftiest memorial of your ,excellency's fame1 and the greatest earthly blessing to its inhabitants2 and it will be to me a source of satisfaction to contribute towards the formation and cementing of materials for the erection of a monument at once so honourable to its founder1 and so beneficial to ,her ,majesty's ,canadian subjects4 ,the personal influence of your ,excellency in ,lower ,canada will be required to induce two or three of the cleverest men in ,lower ,canada to contribute to the columns of the ,review2 especially on questions and subjects which grow out of the state and structure of society in that province4 ,mr4 ,sullivan thinks he will be able to contribute one1 if not two1 articles for each number4 ,i am acquainted with several other gentlemen who are competent to contribute very ably on some subjects4 ,i know from experience that furnishing matter for any periodical1 as well as giving it character1 must chiefly devolve upon the conductor of it4 ,he must give it soul1 if it have any2 he must combine1 concentrate1 and direct its power4 ,and such a publication1 got up under so high and favourable auspices1 and properly conducted1 and embodying the productions of the leading minds of both provinces1 cannot fail to prove an engine of immense and even irresistible moral power in the country2 and must materially contribute to its intellectual as well as political elevation4 ,as to my own views and feelings1 ,i would greatly prefer retiring altogether from any connection with the press in all discussions of civil affairs in every shape and form1 and ,i can consistently and honourably do so in ,june4 ,but if this course be not justifiable in the present circumstances of the province2 if it be deemed expedient for me still to take a part in public matters1 ,i am sensible ,i ought to do more than ,i do now1 or can do through the organ of a religious body4 ,the relation1 character and objects of the publication ,i now conduct1 impose a restriction upon the topics and illustrations which are requisite to an effective discussion of political questions4 ,under such circumstances ,i can neither do justice to myself1 nor to the subjects on which ,i occasionally remark1 or might discuss4 ,i have felt the more disposed to make this communication1 because your ,excellency's avowed system and policy of ,government is but carrying out and reducing to practice those views of civil polity in ,canada which have guided my public life1 as your ,excellency will have observed from the articles and references which have appeared in the ,guardian4 ,i have been defeated and disappointed heretofore1 because the local executive itself has been for the most part rather the head of a party1 than the ,government of the country1 and the opposition1 or ,reform party1 has often gone to equal extremes of selfishness and extravagance2 so that ,i have occupied the unenviable and uncomfortable position of a sort of break-water--resisting and checking the conflicting waves of mutual party violence1 convinced that the exclusive and absolute ascendancy of either party would be destructive of the ends of just ,government1 and public happiness2 a position which1 previously to your ,excellency's arrival in ,canada1 ,i had determined to abandon1 as ,i found myself possessed of no adequate means of accomplishing any permanent good by occupying it4 ,i think the appearance in this province of ,lord ,john ,russell's despatch on ,responsible ,government is timely4 ,the ,reformers are too fully committed to ,government to fly off2 and a large portion of the old ,conservative party are glad of an excuse to change their position4 ,neither party can triumph1 as both must concede something4 ,this mutual concession will prepare the way for mutual forbearance1 and ultimately for co-operation and union4 ,having perceived that the ,editor of the ,examiner was seeking1 under the pretence of supporting the ,government1 to get a ,house of ,assembly returned1 consisting wholly of the old ,reformers1 who had identified themselves in #ahcd-e-f1 with the ,papineau party of ,lower ,canada1 ,i thought it desirable to check such a design in the bud1 by insisting upon the support of ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper1 and that he should be returned upon the same grounds as those of ,mr4 ,baldwin4 ,the elucidation and description of this one case will affect the position of parties in the character of the elections throughout the province1 and make them turn1 not upon ,lord ,durham's ,report1 or any of the old questions of difference1 but upon your ,excellency's administration4 ,this1 ,i have no doubt1 with a little care1 will1 in most instances be the case4 ,thus will the members returned from ,upper ,canada1 be isolated from the ,french anti-unionists of ,lower ,canada1 and be more fully1 both in obligation and feeling1 identified with the ,government4 ,i have not1 therefore1 been surprised at the ,examiner's indignation1 as it is so ultra1 and thorough a partizan1 and as it has some discernment1 though but little prudence4 ,in reply1 the ,private ,secretary of the ,governor-,general said3 ,i am to express to you ,his ,excellency's approbation of the plans you have suggested1 and he desires me to say that he requests that you will visit ,montreal1 on your way to ,new ,york1 as he is anxious to see you on the subject contained in your letter4 ,the ,special ,council meets this day for the first time4 ,the ,secretary further added3-- ,his ,excellency agrees that the line which you have taken is most judicious4 ,there is no doubt that the gentleman to whom you refer is doing very great mischief both to ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin and the ,government1 by the extremes to which he is pushing his cry for responsible government1 and his opposition to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper4 ,dr4 ,ryerson 7who was on his way to the ,general ,conference at ,baltimore7 in a note1 dated ,montreal1 #dth ,may1 said3-- ,the ,governor-,general having kindly invited me to visit him and converse on matters relating to public affairs1 ,i did so1 and was most cordially received by him4 ,i also had a long interview with him on ,friday afternoon1 and am desired to spend the evening with him on ,saturday4 ,his ,excellency has given every requisite information as to his plans4 ,i am thus enabled to accomplish the object of my visit far beyond what ,i expected when ,i left home4 ,in a letter from ,new ,york 7dated #ith ,may7 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,much to my surprise to-day1 while in ,new ,york on my way to ,baltimore1 ,i received a note from the ,governor-,general's ,secretary1 ,t4 ,w4 ,c4 ,murdoch1 ,esq41 as follows3-- ,by direction of the ,governor-,general ,i send you the enclosed bill of exchange for #ajj stg41 the receipt of which ,i would request you to acknowledge4 ,you will have seen the ,english papers which hold out every prospect that both the ,union and the ,clergy ,reserve ,bills will be satisfactorily settled4 ,i feel that ,i may congratulate you1 and every friend of ,canada1 on such a result4 ,i acknowledged this kind and generous act1 but at once returned the ,bill of ,exchange to ,his ,excellency--at the same time respectfully assuring him1 that under no circumstances could ,i receive anything for what ,i had done1 or might do1 to support the policy and administration of ,her ,majesty's ,government1 in the peculiar circumstances of the ,province4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one of the chief points discussed in ,upper ,canada1 in connection with the proposed union of the provinces1 was the effect it would have on the ,protestant character of the government and institutions of the county4 ,mr4 ,john ,w4 ,gamble1 a public man1 and a leading member of the ,church of ,england1 in ,vaughan1 writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the subject1 said3-- ,i feel deeply the conviction that the time has now arrived when ,protestants must sink all points of minor consideration1 and unite in defence of our common faith4 ,the union of the provinces will most assuredly result in giving not only a preponderance1 but a large majority to the ,roman ,catholics in the united legislature2 and this taken in conjunction with the plans now in operation for pouring a large ,roman ,catholic population into these provinces1 surely ought not only to excite the fears1 but rouse the energies of those who know and love the truth as it is in ,jesus4 ,i am altogether ignorant of your opinion upon the union question1 but ,i call upon you as a ,protestant to unite with me in endeavouring to avert the threatened calamity4 ,mr4 ,gamble was for many years afterwards an earnest opponent in the ,legislature of ,united ,canada of the extension of the ,separate ,school system in the province4 99 99 99 99 99 ,although greatly enfeebled in health1 yet ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,mother was enabled to write to him occasionally4 ,in a letter written by her in #ahci1 after returning from seeing him1 she said3-- ,i suppose you are anxious to know the state of my mind4 ,i yet feel that the ,lord is my trust1 and ,i am waiting daily till my change come4 ,i feel that when the earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved1 ,i have a house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,dear ,egerton1 ,i feel very much as ,i did when ,i left you--a great deal of weakness4 ,i am anxious to live to see you all once more1 perhaps for the last time4 ,do not neglect to come up1 one and all1 as soon as convenient1 if you only stay one day4 ,when you come fetch some books1 such as you think would be profitable for me1 and one of your good-sized ,bibles2 also three of your likenesses4 ,i thought that your ,father had brought them up when he came4 ,do not fail to come up and see us4 ,don't let me be denied the happiness of seeing you soon4 ,,footnotes3 #ajh ,the organs of that party in ,upper ,canada spoke of ,dr4 ,ryerson's advocacy of ,lord ,durham's reforms with far less courtesy1 and for obvious reasons4 #aji ,thus in a note dated #hth ,april1 #ahdj1 the ,private ,secretary said3--,i know that ,his ,excellency would wish you to comment on ,lord ,john's despatch in the sense in which it is treated in the ,montreal ,gazette4 ,this was done in the ,guardian of #aeth ,april4 ,there is no doubt also that it is absurd in ,hon4 ,henry ,sherwood to pretend that he is supporting the ,government when he opposes their own ,solicitor-,general1 but not less so in the ,examiner to support him and oppose ,mr4 ,draper1 or to stand up for a kind of responsible government which both ,his ,excellency and ,lord ,john ,russell have declared to be inadmissible4 ,i know that ,his ,excellency would wish you to do everything in your power to support both ,mr4 ,draper and ,mr4 ,baldwin4 ,should any article come out which you consider would interest ,his ,excellency1 may ,i request you to send me a copy4 #aaj ,the following was the prospectus agreed upon and issued3-- ,a ,monthly ,review1 ,devoted to the ,civil ,government of ,canada4 ,the ,canadas have been united under an amended constitution2 the foundation has been laid for an improved system of government4 ,the success of that constitution will greatly depend upon a correct understanding and a just appreciation of its principles2 and the advantages of the new system of government will be essentially influenced by the views and feelings of the inhabitants of the ,canadas themselves4 ,at a period so eventful1 and under circumstances so peculiar1 it is of the utmost importance that the principles of the constitution should be carefully analysed1 and dispassionately expounded2 that the relations between this and the ,mother ,country1 and the mutual advantages connected with those relations1 should be explained and illustrated2 the duties of the several branches of the government and the different classes of the community1 stated and enforced2 the natural1 commercial1 and agricultural resources and interests of these ,provinces investigated and developed2 a comprehensive and efficient systema of public education discussed and established2 the subject of emigration practically considered in proportion to its vast importance2 the various measures adapted to promote the welfare of all classes of the people originated and advocated2 and a taste for intellectual improvement and refinement encouraged and cultivated4 ,as the ,editor's views on all the leading questions of ,canadian policy accord with those of ,his ,excellency the ,governor-,general1 who has been pleased to approve of the plan of the ,monthly ,review1 it will be enabled to state correctly the facts and principles on which the government proceeds2 yet the writers alone will be held responsible for whatever they may advance4 a ,dr4 ,ryerson1 who wrote this prospectus1 evidently had in view such a system of ,education as he afterwards established4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 #ahdj4 ,proposal to leave ,canada--,dr4 ,ryerson's ,visit to ,england4 ,the year #ahdj is somewhat memorable in the ,methodistic history of ,upper ,canada1 for three things3 #ast4 ,the final retirement of ,dr4 ,ryerson from the editorship of the ,christian ,guardian2 #bnd4 ,visit of ,revs4 ,william and ,egerton ,ryerson to ,england1 and the painful1 yet fruitless1 discussions with a ,committee of the ,british ,conference on the lapsed ,union2 #crd4 ,the annual and special ,canada ,conferences of that year--at the latter of which the formal separation of the ,british and ,canadian sections of the ,conference took place under peculiarly affecting circumstances4 ,dr4 ,ryerson and his brother ,john attended the ,american ,general ,conference at ,baltimore1 ,may1 #ahdj4 ,in a letter from there he said3-- ,the ,methodist ,connexion here are much in advance of us1 and1 as a whole1 even of the ,british ,connexion4 ,i have never seen a more pious1 intelligent1 and talented body of men than the preachers assembled here at ,conference2 nor more respectable1 intelligent congregations4 ,the manners of the people in these ,middle ,states are very like the manners of intelligent people in ,upper ,canada--alike removed from the ,english haughtiness and ,yankee coldness--simple1 frank1 and unaffected4 ,bishops ,roberts1 ,soule1 ,hedding and ,waugh dined with us to-day4 ,they are venerable and apostolic men4 ,we have had cordial invitations to come to this country1 and did we consult our own comfort1 brother ,john and ,i would do so without hesitation4 ,bishop ,hedding hopes to visit us at our approaching ,conference4 ,rev4 ,r4 ,newton1 of ,england1 will not visit ,canada4 ,mr4 ---- has told him that it was not worth while to go to ,canada2 and all that can be said to induce him to come is unavailing4 ,we in ,canada are not worth so much trouble1 or notice6 ,in a letter from ,baltimore1 dated ,may #beth1 #ahdj1 ,dr4 ,ryerson states the reason why he proposed to leave ,canada3-- ,i am still at the ,general ,conference4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bangs says that ,i ought to remain until the close4 ,after much consideration ,i have decided upon a step which1 for many reasons1 appears desirable4 ,instead of coming to this country for a few months1 in order to avail myself of some collegiate lectures1 to pursue certain branches of science1 ,i have concluded and have made arrangements to take a station in the city of ,new ,york for one1 if not for two years4 ,my brother ,john would have done the same if we could have both left ,canada this year4 ,if things in the province do not go on better with us he will do so another year4 ,i have seen the new constitution which is about to be adopted by the ,british ,parliament for the future ,government of ,canada4 ,i do not approve of it4 ,to interfere any more in civil contentions will be wasting the best part of my life to little purpose1 for there seems to be no end to such things4 ,to remain in ,canada and be silent1 will incur the hostility of both parties4 ,the government will regard my neutrality as opposition1 and the popular party will view it as indifference to the rights of the people2 and1 in such circumstances1 ,i shall neither be useful nor happy4 ,while1 therefore1 ,i am on good terms with the ,government and the country at large1 my brother thinks with me that it is by all means best to withdraw from such scenes4 ,i have the offer of one of the three or four largest ,methodist ,chapels in ,new ,york4 ,i shall be appointed to one of the largest and most elegant in the city1 where all the great public meetings are held4 ,there are1 however1 three or four vacant1 equally desirable4 ,i much prefer this to my taking a district in ,canada4 ,i would not return to the ,guardian again for any earthly consideration4 ,dr4 ,ryerson went to the ,conference at ,belleville after his return from ,baltimore4 ,writing from there1 he said3-- ,previously to proceeding to elect the ,secretary1 an ,english brother remarked that he had certain communications from the ,committee in ,london1 which he wished to read4 ,i observed that no communications could be read until the ,conference was organized1 and the ,conference could not be organized until the ,secretary was elected4 ,the brother persevered1 and then stated that the documents referred to me4 ,i then arose1 and observed that the proceeding was at variance with law1 ,methodism1 and justice4 ,the ,conference was justly roused to indignation by my remarks1 which were followed by some observations from my brother ,john1 in the same strain4 ,not a man spoke in favour of the ,english brother's proceeding1 and he was compelled to withdraw his proposal4 ,such an anti-,methodistic and barbarous attempt to sacrifice me 7as some of the preachers afterwards expressed it71 excited a strong feeling in my favour1 and1 ,i was told1 increased my majority of votes for the ,secretaryship4 ,when the ,conference balloted for ,secretary1 the votes stood as follows3--,matthew ,richey1 #a2 ,anson ,green1 #a2 ,wm4 ,case1 #b2 ,e4 ,evans1 #ab2 ,egerton ,ryerson1 #dc4 ,the circumstance has so deeply affected me1 that ,i feel it to be like tearing soul from body to be separated from brethren who stand by me in the day of trial1 and who will not suffer me1 as one of them expressed it to me1 to be sacrificed at the pleasure of my enemies4#aaa ,but ,i see no reason to change my purposes2 and my brother ,john thinks ,i can do more good to the ,connexion by being in ,new ,york1 than by remaining in ,canada4 ,i desire1 with humble dependence upon the wisdom and providence of ,god1 to commit my all to ,him4 ,i hunger and thirst after the mind which was in ,christ ,jesus4 ,subsequently ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote1 saying3-- ,my plans in regard to the ,united ,states must now be changed4 ,the charges of the ,london ,committee1 and the state of the ,connexion in regard to the ,union1 render my absence from the ,province1 in the judgment of my brethren1 unjustifiable and out of the question4 ,some of the preachers insist that ,i must go to ,england1 and meet ,mr4 ,alder before the ,british ,conference4 ,such a mission is not impossible1 but1 ,i hope1 not probable4 ,after the election of ,secretary1 the charges against ,dr4 ,ryerson were read4 ,they were embodied in a resolution to the effect that he had improperly interfered and sought to deprive the ,british ,conference of its annual grant from the ,imperial ,government for the extension of missions in the province4 ,the resolution was negatived by a vote of #ei to #h1 and a series of resolutions sustaining ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the strongest manner1 was passed4 ,he and his brother ,william were appointed as ,representatives at the ,british ,conference1 with directions to use all proper means to prevent collision between the two ,connexions4 ,as intimated in ,dr4 ,ryerson's letter from ,baltimore1 he decided to retire finally from the ,editorship of the ,christian ,guardian4 ,this he did at the ,belleville ,conference1 and on the #bdth of ,june1 #ahdj1 he laid down his pen as ,editor of the ,christian ,guardian1 and was succeeded by ,rev4 ,jonathan ,scott4 ,in his valedictory of that date1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,the present number of the ,guardian closes the connection of the undersigned with the provincial press4 ,to his friends and to those of the public who have confided in him1 and supported him in seasons of difficulty and danger1 he offers his most grateful acknowledgments2 those who have opposed him honourably1 he sincerely respects2 those who have assailed him personally1 he heartily forgives2 and of those whose feelings he may have wounded in the heat of discussion1 he most humbly asks pardon4 ,while he is deeply sensible of his imperfections1 infirmities1 and failings1 he derives satisfaction from the consciousness that he has earnestly aimed at promoting the best interests of his adopted church and his native country4 ,egerton ,ryerson4 ,immediately after the close of the annual ,conference of #ahdj1 ,dr4 ,ryerson and his brother ,william left for ,england4 ,from his diary1 written at that time1 he had made the following extracts for this work3-- ,july #bbnd1 #ahdj4--;,after landing at ,liverpool1 ,i called upon an old and kind friend1 ,mr4 ,michael ,ashton1 and ,i had much conversation with him and ,rev4 ,r4 ,young1 on the affairs of our mission4 ,i and my brother ,william arrived in ,london on the #bcrd4 ,took up our lodgings with my old hostess1 #bg ,great ,ormond ,street4 ,addressed a note to ,lord ,john ,russell1 on the object of our mission2 an interview was appointed for the next day4 ,went to the ,house of ,commons in the evening1 having an order for admission to the ,speaker's gallery1 through the kindness of ,lord ,sandon4 ,july #bdth4--,went to the ,colonial office2 had a long interview with ,lord ,john ,russell1 on the ,canada ,clergy ,reserve ,bill4 ,mr4 afterwards ,sir ,james ,stephen was present4 ,we pointed out to ,his ,lordship the injustice of the bill1 and the probable consequences if it were passed in its present shape4 ,we spoke at some length1 but with great plainness2 intimating that we regarded the measure as the forfeiture of good faith on the part of ,her ,majesty's ,government1 as the violation of the constitutional rights of the inhabitants of ,upper ,canada1 and as the cause of the unpopularity of the ,british ,government in that country4 ,but his ,lordship appeared inflexible1 and seemed to regard it essential to conciliate the ,bishops1 but not essential to do what he considered just in itself1 or to fulfil the declarations of ,government to the inhabitants of ,upper ,canada1 or to consult their oft-expressed views and wishes4 ,in the afternoon we went to see ,mr4 ,charles ,buller1 but he was not in town4 ,in going through ,hyde ,park we saw the ,queen and ,prince ,albert1 coming from ,windsor4 ,we took a hasty view through ,westminster ,abbey1 and in the evening we called upon the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,stead1 formerly a missionary to ,india1 and received from him many useful suggestions respecting the object of our mission4 ,july #bgth4--,prepared a long letter to ,lord ,john ,russell on the ,canada ,clergy ,reserve ,bill1 now before ,parliament4 ,went to the ,house of ,commons in order to hear the debate on the third reading of said bill4 ,lord ,john ,russell was not present4 ,but we heard a long debate on the ,china opium trade1 etc4 ,mr4 ,w4 ,e4 ,gladstone introduced the discussion4 ,afterwards ,sir ,robert ,peel spoke on the present position of the ,church of ,scotland in resisting the decision of the ,house of ,lords4 ,mr4 ,fox ,maule ,lord ,panmure spoke in reply1 and contended that the point for which the ,general ,assembly contended was the right of the people to a voice in the choice of their ministers4 ,july #bhth4--,visited the ,city ,road ,chapel ,grave-yard1 the ,bank1 various book establishments1 and ,st4 ,paul's ,cathedral4 ,july #cjth4--,left ,london yesterday2 entered the city of ,york by the southwest gate2 got a glimpse of the ,minster2 the country exceedingly beautiful1 and in a high state of cultivation4 ,heard of the death of poor ,lord ,durham4 ,the attacks upon him in the ,house of ,lords as ,governor-,general of ,canada1 the abandonment of him by the ,government1 the mortification experienced by him in consequence of the ,royal disapprobation at his sudden return from ,canada before his resignation had been accepted1 are said to have hastened1 if not caused his death4 ,his heart seems to have been set upon making ,canada a happy and a great country1 and ,i think he intended to rest his fame upon that achievement4 ,he was defeated1 disappointed1 died6 ,how bright the prospect two years ago--how sudden the change1 how sad the termination6 ,oh1 the vanity of earthly power1 wealth and glory6 ,july #bith4--,arrived this morning at ,newcastle-upon-,tyne by stage1 eighty miles from ,york4 ,the next morning we went to the ,conference1 and sent in our cards to ,rev4 ,g4 ,marsden2 he came out and kindly received us1 and hoped our mission would be for good4 ,we met with a very cool reception from several of the preachers1 with whom ,i was acquainted and on friendly terms during my former visits4 ,not feeling very well1 or very much at home1 we enquired our way to our lodgings1 and left4 ,july #cast4--,went to the ,conference this morning at #g a4m4 ,we were furnished with the ,president's card of admittance1 and shown a seat in a corner at the side of the ,chapel1 and could hear but a part of the debates4 ,in the afternoon we addressed a note to the ,president1 to which we only received a verbal reply4 ,aug4 #ast4--,this morning we were engaged in writing a strong letter to the ,president concerning our treatment1 our position1 the objects of our mission1 etc41 but we were saved the pain of delivering it1 as1 on our arrival1 we were met and introduced as accredited ,representatives of the ,canada ,conference4 ,rev4 ,j4 ,stinson and ,rev4 ,m4 ,richey were also introduced at the same time4 ,my brother ,william then presented the address and resolutions of the ,canada ,conference4 ,a comfortable seat was now provided for us1 in front of the ,president4 ,thank ,god1 we now have a right to speak1 can take our own part1 and maintain the rights and interests we have been appointed to represent6 ,aug4 #crd4--,the ,committee of the last year on ,canadian affairs had met and reported3--,that the resolutions of the ,committee of which the ,canadian ,conference had complained we unanimously confirmed1 and recommended that the ,conference appoint a large ,committee to whom the ,messrs4 ,ryerson and the documents of the ,canadian ,conference be referred4 ,the cases of ,circuits proposed to be divided were next taken up4 ,this caused many amusing remarks4 ,rev4 ,r4 ,newton thought they were losing the spirit of their fathers in travelling1 who had insuperable objections to solitary stations4 ,dr4 ,bunting assigned as a reason for the failure of the health of so many young men1 the custom of giving up horses3 said it was an innovation2 quoted some of the last words of ,wesley3 ,i cannot make preachers--,i cannot buy preachers--and ,i will not kill preachers4 ,a long conversation ensued on the subject of reading the ,liturgy generally1 and concluded by a resolution that the ,liturgy be read on the principal ,sabbath at each ,conference4 ,on the subject of reading the ,liturgy by the preachers themselves1 ,dr4 ,bunting said3 ,it was very well for men to spend their strength in preaching1 and let others read the prayers1 when ,methodism was only a ,society supplementary to the ,church2 but having in the order of ,providence grown up into an independent and separate ,church1 the preachers were something more than mere preachers of the ,word--they were ministers of the ,church1 and ought to read as well as preach4 ,the address of the ,irish ,conference was read4 ,rev4 ,t4 ,jackson said he could bear testimony to the very respectful manner in which the address of the ,british ,conference had been received by the ,irish ,conference1 and he trusted the brethren would understand the import and bearing of that remark4 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,entwistle referred to the liberality and cheerfulness of the ,irish preachers in their difficulties1 when ,dr4 ,bunting replied that if they had been in such difficulties their heads would have hung down4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's diary ends here4 ,a full account of the interviews and discussions with the ,wesleyan authorities in ,england are given in the ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pages #djg-dbf4 ,the result was1 that the ,committee on the subject reported a series of resolutions adverse to the ,canada representatives1 which were adopted by the ,conference after more than four-fifths of its members had left for their circuits4 ,the pacific resolutions of the ,upper ,canada ,conference were negatived by a majority1 and it was declared that a continuance of the more intimate connection established by the articles of #ahcc was quite impracticable4 ,thus was ignominously ended a union between the two ,conferences which had 7nominally7 existed since #ahcc1 and which had promised such happy results1 and thus was inaugurated a period of unseemly strife between the two parties from #ahdj to #ahdg1 when it happily ceased4 ,what followed in ,upper ,canada is thus narrated by ,dr4 ,ryerson3-- ,the ,english ,conference having determined to secede from the ,union which it had entered into with the ,canadian ,conference in #ahcc1 and to commence aggressive operations upon the ,canadian ,conference1 and its societies and congregations1 a special meeting of the ,canadian ,conference became necessary to meet this new state of things1 to organize for resenting the invasion upon its field of labour1 and to maintain the cause for which they had toiled and suffered so much for more than half a century4 ,the prospects of the ,canada ,conference were gloomy in the extreme2 the paucity of ministers1 and the poverty of resources in comparison to the ,english ,conference1 besides numerous other disadvantages2 but the ministers of the ,canadian ,conference with less than a dozen individual exceptions1 had hearts of ,canadian oak1 and weapons of ,new ,jerusalem steel1 and were determined to maintain the freedom of the ,church1 and the liberties of their country1 whatever might be the prestige or resources of their invaders2 and according to their faith it was done unto them2 out of weakness they waxed strong4 ,they sowed in tears1 they reaped in joy4 ,their weeping seed-sowing was followed by rejoicing1 bringing their sheaves with them4 ,the ,special ,conference caused by these events was held in the ,newgate 7,adelaide7 ,street ,church in ,october1 #ahdj4 ,the venerable ,thomas ,whitehead1 then in his #hgth year1 opened the proceedings1 after which ,rev4 ,william ,case was elected to preside4 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,whitehead was subsequently elected ,president4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was elected ,secretary1 but declined1 and ,rev4 ,j4 ,c4 ,davidson was appointed in his place4 ,the whole matter of differences between the two ,conferences was discussed at great length1 and with deep feeling on the part of the speakers4 ,dr4 ,ryerson spoke for five hours1 and his brother ,william for nearly three4 ,finally a series of eleven resolutions were adopted1 strongly maintaining the views of the ,canadian ,representatives to ,england1 and protesting-- ,against the ,methodistic or legal right or power of the ,conference in ,england to dissolve1 of its own accord1 articles and obligations which have been entered into with this ,conference by mutual consent4 ,in consequence of the adoption of these resolutions1 the following ministers requested permission to withdraw from the ,canada ,conference with a view to connect themselves with the ,british ,missionary party1 viz3-- ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,william ,case1 ,ephraim ,evans1 ,benjamin ,slight1 ,james ,norris1 ,thomas ,fawcett1 ,william ,scott1 ,john ,g4 ,manly1 ,edmund ,stoney1 ,james ,brock1 ,thomas ,hurlburt1 ,matthew ,lang1 ,john ,douse1 ,william ,steer1 ,john ,sunday1 and ,c4 ,b4 ,goodrich4 ,the leave-taking was said to have been very tender and sorrowful4 ,of the members of the ,canada ,conference who left it1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,among the ten who seceded from the ,canada ,conference to the ,london ,wesleyan ,committee was the venerable ,william ,case1 who took no part in the crusade against his old ,canadian brethren1 but who wished to live in peace and quietness1 with the supply of his wants assured to him in his old1 lonely ,indian ,mission at ,alnwick1 near ,cobourg1 isolated alike from the white inhabitants and from other ,indian tribes1 where he continued until his decease4 ,the character of this untoward contest with the ,british ,conference party--so far as it related to ,dr4 ,ryerson--can be best understood from the conclusion of his five hours' speech before the ,special ,conference4 ,he said3-- ,i am aware that a combined effort has been determined upon and is making to destroy me as a public man1 and to injure this ,connexion1 as far as my overthrow can affect it4 ,i rejoice to know that the strength and efficiency of our ,church are not depending upon me2 but ,i am not insensible to the advantages which it is supposed will be gained over the ,church if ,i can be put down4 ,our adversaries seem to have abandoned the idea of answering my arguments1 or of diverting me from my purposes1 in regard to my position1 and views and feelings towards this ,connexion4 ,the only expedient left is that which requires no strength of intellect--no solid arguments--no moral principle--but abundance of confidence1 malignity1 and zeal4 ,it is the expedient of impeaching my moral integrity1 and blackening my character4 ,and this is attempted to be accomplished4 ,one class of adversaries1 not by an appeal to reason1 or even to official documents1 but by the importation and retail from one side of the ,atlantic to the other1 and one end of the province to the other1 and from house to house1 of bits and parcels of perverted private conversations--a mode of warfare disgraceful to human nature1 much more to any ,christian community4 ,history apprizes me that1 in such a warfare1 some of the best of men have not triumphed until long after they slept in death1 when the hand of time and the researches of impartial history did them that justice which the cupidity and jealousies of powerful contemporaries denied them4 ,i know not the present result of existing combinations against myself4 ,on that point ,i feel little concern1 though ,i am keenly alive to their influence upon my public usefulness4 ,i engaged in the ,union1 because ,i believed the principles upon which it was founded were reasonable1 and the prejudices against it on all sides were unreasonable4 ,i do not regret the opposition which ,i have experienced--the reproaches which ,i have incurred--the labours ,i have endured2 but ,i do regret--and every day's reflection adds fresh poignancy to my regrets--that in carrying out a measure which ,i had hoped would prove an unspeakable blessing to my native country1 ,i have lost so many friends of my youth4 ,no young man in ,canada had more friends amongst all ,christian denominations than ,i had when the ,union took place4 ,many of them have become my enemies4 ,i can lose property without concern or much thought2 but ,i cannot lose my friends1 and meet them in the character of enemies1 without emotions not to be described4 ,i feel that ,i have injured myself1 and injured this ,connexion1 and ,i fear this province1 not by my obstinacy1 but by my concessions4 ,this is my sin1 and not the sins laid to my charge4 ,i have regarded myself1 and all that ,providence has put into my hands from year to year1 as the property of this ,connexion4 ,i can say1 in the language of ,wesley's hymn-- ,no foot of land do ,i possess1 ,no cottage in the wilderness2 ,a poor wayfaring man4 ,and it is to me a source of unavailing grief1 that after the expenditure of so much time1 and labour1 and suffering1 and means1 one of the most important measures of my life may prove a misfortune to the ,church of my affections and the country of my birth4 ,i have only to say1 that as long as there is any prospect of my being useful to either1 ,i will never desert them4 ,we have surveyed every inch of the ground on which we stand3 ,we have offered to concede everything but what appertains to our character1 and to our existence and operations as a ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church4 ,the ground we occupy is ,methodistic1 is rational1 is just4 ,the very declarations of those who leave us attest this4 ,they are compelled to pay homage to our character as a body2 they cannot impeach our doctrines1 or discipline1 or practice2 nor can they sustain a single objection against our principles or standing2 the very reasons which they assign for their own secession are variable1 indefinite1 personal1 or trivial4 ,but the reasons which may be assigned for our position and unity are tangible1 are definite1 are ,methodistic1 are satisfactory1 are unanswerable4 ,the effect of this disruption was disastrous to the peace and unity of the ,wesleyan body1 especially in the towns and cities4 ,some time after the ,conference1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received the following characteristic letter from the venerable ,thomas ,whitehead1 the ,president of the ,canada ,special ,conference3-- ,i have been not a little pleased with the expectation of seeing you this evening1 and of hearing you speak of the sorrows and joys of ,wesleyan ,methodism in ,upper ,canada4 ,god grant that you and ,i and all of us1 when our labours1 sorrows and joys on earth are ended1 may meet around the throne of ,god and the ,lamb4 ,your labours1 sorrows and joys for these years past have been unparalleled1 and to the present they are increasing4 ,well1 you have been called 7with not a few invaluable assistants7 to stand up in defence of the ,gospel1 and have been sometimes placed near the swellings of ,jordan2 however1 you still rejoice in your labours1 and the effects thereof1 and so do ,i2 and1 blessed be ,god1 the ,pilot of the ,galilean lake is still on shipboard1 and he will soon speak peace to the troubled waters1 and there will be a great calm4 ,i have no doubt but ,brother ,green and ,brother ,bevitt 7a comical soul7 and yourself have had cold travelling 7,i hope good lodging7 in your western rides2 ,i am persuaded you have met with friends1 and a generous people4 ,god bless them6 ,i greatly rejoice that our brethren in the ministry are faithful1 affectionate1 and successful in defence of all that appertains to the privileges of the glorious ,gospel of the ,son of ,god1 long1 long preached by the ,wesleyan ,methodist ministers in the wilds of ,upper ,canada1 and ,i trust they will1 by all ,christian means and measures1 support ,her ,majesty's ,government in ,canada4 ,may the ,holy and ,blessed ,god give us peace1 and good government in our day4 ,i have been a little vexed with the travelling gab of one of our own former friends1 who is pleased to inform the people that you were the sole cause of the late rebellion4 ,i must tell him1 the first time ,i meet with him1 that the meaning of his sing-song is not understood1 and that if he will explain his hidden meaning1 it will be1 that he is ready to prove that the ,rev4 ,egerton ,ryerson was the sole cause of the rebellion in ,heaven1 by the fallen angels4 ,in that case no one would mistake his meaning4 ,in a letter of congratulation1 written in ,may1 #ahda1 to ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bangs1 on his appointment to the ,presidency of the ,wesleyan ,university1 ,middletown1 ,conn41 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,i hope and pray that you may be able to continue without abatement to favour and edify the religious public with the rich results of your varied reading and matured thinking4 ,on this ground ,i desire to express my personal obligations2 and not the least for your ,letters to young ,ministers of the ,gospel1 which were the first ,i recollect of reading4 ,many of your remarks and suggestions1 on the subjects which they treat1 have been of great service to me4 ,speaking of the rupture of the union between the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences1 and of alleged personal obstacles which he presented in the way of a reunion1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,the agents of the ,london ,missionary ,committee have not injured the ,societies generally2 although the scenes of schism which have been and are exhibited in many places are highly disgraceful4 ,i am not aware that ,elder ,case has taken any active part in these transactions1 and he has continued an acting and useful member of the ,academy ,board1 notwithstanding his strange secession from our ,conference4 ,i have observed by the discussion1 especially in the pamphlet lately published by the ,committee in ,london1 that the whole affair is made to appear1 as much as possible1 a matter of difference between the ,committee and me personally1 and epithets have been multiplied against me in proportion to the want of facts4 ,i have always resolved not to allow myself to be the ground of difference between two bodies4 ,if ,i can make this circumstance instrumental in effecting an amicable adjustment of differences1 such as would be agreeable and advantageous to my brethren1 ,i have thought it would be best to do so1 and retire personally from the ,conference1 either employing my pen for the religious and general interests of my native land1 or seeking a more peaceful field of labour in your part of the world1 where ,i almost wish ,i had gone last year as proposed--although ,i know not that ,i could have done otherwise than ,i did1 in accordance with what is due to personal honour and character4 ,the ,imperial ,parliament has disposed of the clergy reserves in a manner the most unfair1 unjust1 and corrupt1 although the old ,constitution of ,canada provides for the disposal of them by the ,provincial ,legislature4 ,wide-spread1 secret dissatisfaction exists in the country2 a majority of the new ,assembly 7which has not yet met7 are friends of the people1 but many are afraid to move1 or to say what they think4 ,my own apprehension is that1 notwithstanding all exertions to the contrary1 under the present system of things the morals and intelligence of the people will be on a level with their liberties4 ,whether my continued silence in such circumstances is a virtue1 or a crime2 or whether ,i should retire from the country1 or remain and make one ,christian1 open1 and decisive effort to secure for my fellow-countrymen a free constitution and equal rights among their churches1 is a perplexing question to me1 as well as to my brothers4 ,it is believed by some intelligent men1 who have talked on the subject1 that if ,i would come out as the advocate of the country1 there would be no doubt of success1 from my knowledge of the subject1 from a general1 and1 as ,i think1 overweening confidence on the part of my friends in my powers of concentration1 perseverance and energy1 and from the feelings of the country4 ,it is also thought that1 if there should be a failure of success1 ,i could then honourably retire to the ,united ,states4 ,i am no theorist1 but ,i hate despotism as ,i do ,satan1 and ,i love liberty as ,i do life2 and my thoughts and feelings flow so strongly in favour of the religious and civil freedom of my native country1 that with all my engagements and duties1 ,i cannot resist them1 at least half of the time4 ,i would be most grateful to you for your opinion on this general matter1 irrespective of details1 with which1 of course1 you cannot be acquainted4 ,to this letter ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bangs replied as follows3-- ,i feel much for my ,canadian brethren1 and ,i can never be indifferent to their weal or woe4 ,i have never had but one opinion respecting your separation from us1 and that is1 that it was an erroneous step at the time1 originating with the ambition of one man--,henry ,ryan4 7,see page #hg47 ,regrets1 however1 are useless now4 ,the die has been cast2 but from that unhappy moment you have been tossed about from one point of the compass to another4 ,what a sad condition the people are in1 according to your representation6 ,and who shall right them8 ,i suppose you cannot do it1 although you cannot be indifferent to their interests1 temporal and eternal4 ,respecting your leaving the country1 ,i would say1 that if your brethren judge it best1 you will receive a cordial welcome among us2 as ,i am sure you would from me4 ,in the meantime1 you would do well to consult ,bishop ,hedding1 who presides among us this year4 ,i thank you for the expressions of affection4 ,whatever of good you may have received from my poor labours1 let ,god have the praise and glory4 ,i never undertook any duties with more appalling feelings than ,i did the present ones2 and yet ,i have been wonderfully blessed and favoured by providential indications4 ,when ,i was called to the ,presidency of the ,wesleyan ,university1 ,i dared not say no2 but ,i accepted it with a trembling sense of my responsibilities1 and thus far ,i have been greatly blessed and comforted4 ,i shall be glad to see you1 and remember that ,i have a prophet's room1 and a bed and a table for you4 ,from ,rev4 ,dr4 ,d4 ,m4 ,reese1 a noted member of the ,new ,york ,conference1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received the following letter3-- ,i am at a loss to say what is the opinion of our great men here1 touching your ,canadian conflict with the ,british ,conference2 though all our sympathies are with you4 ,all concur that you have the victory in your pamphlet war4 ,i have not heard a different opinion from any one who has read them4 ,i suppose you may have learned how cavalierly ,rev4 ,r4 ,newton treated ,rev4 ,mr4 ,gurley1 though introduced to him by letters from those to whom ,mr4 ,n4 was largely indebted here4 ,he refused to introduce him to ,dr4 ,bunting1 etc41 although this favour was solicited4 ,he neither invited ,mr4 ,g4 to see him again1 nor even called on him4 ,this ,british reciprocity of ,american politeness is humiliating1 and resembles the treatment you and your brother received at his hands1 as well as that of other great men in the ,wesleyan ,conference towards you4 ,at the ,special ,conference of ,october1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was appointed ,corresponding ,secretary of the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,society of ,upper ,canada4 ,on the #ajth ,november he issued a statement and appeal on behalf of the ,society4 ,in it he indicates definitely the secret causes which led to the disruption of the ,union4 ,he said3-- ,zealous attempts have been made to lead astray sincere friends of ,methodism and religion by the pretense that party politics is the difficulty4 ,never was a pretext more unfounded4444 ,it will be seen by the proceedings of our ,conference-- 444 and is even admitted in the report of the 444 ,english ,conference--that no political party question should1 on any account1 be suffered amongst us1 444 or in our official organ1 and that we did not even desire the continued discussion of the clergy reserve question4444 ,but with even silent neutrality on all questions of civil polity 4441 the authorities of the ,english ,conference were not satisfied2 they insisted that we should admit and maintain1 even in this ,province1 the principle of ,church and ,state ,union--a question which has been the most exciting and baneful topic of party feeling and party organization of any question which has ever been discussed in ,upper ,canada4 ,they also insisted that we should concede to the ,conference in ,england the right of an efficient direction over the public proceedings of the ,connexion in this province4444 ,these are the real grounds of the difference between the two bodies4 ,in a letter on this subject1 written by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 #acth ,november1 he said3-- ,herewith is a copy of a letter which ,i addressed to the late ,rev4 ,richard ,watson in #ahca see ,guardian of ,november #ahth1 #ahdj1 deprecating the interference of the ,london ,committee with our work in this province1 and explaining our views and operations as a body4444 ,in going one day into the ,wesleyan ,mission ,house1 when in ,england in #ahcc1 ,i found one of the clerks copying that letter into the official books of the ,committee4 ,that letter is of some importance on several accounts4 ,it will show that we were just as moderate1 and as reasonable1 and as constitutional in our views as a body in #ahca1 as we have been from that time to this1 and that the representations to the contrary are the fabulous creations of party feelings4444 ,it will also show that the ,london ,committee fully understood our views on the question of a church establishment in ,upper ,canada1 respecting which they have not even pretended that we ever made the slightest compromise2 and that we as a body were in a prosperous condition before the ,union4 ,it was not1 therefore1 without full knowledge of ,dr4 ,ryerson's views on this subject1 and of the state of the ,methodist body in ,upper ,canada1 that the ,british ,conference in #ahcc1 and again in #ahdj1 sought to interfere with the work in this province and divide the ,societies4 ,by ,dr4 ,ryerson's mission to ,england this evil was averted by a union in #ahcc1 which proved to be but a hollow truce1 as the events of #ahdj demonstrated4 ,that the evil genius of ,rev4 ,robert ,alder exercised a baneful influence upon both ,conferences1 is abundantly evident from his own subsequent conduct and other events4 ,and that this was the case is more clearly manifest from the fact that when he ceased to exert any influence in the ,connexion1 and when ,dr4 ,ryerson and the ,canadian ,representatives were able to lay the whole case before the ,british ,conference in #ahdg1 that body1 led by ,dr4 ,bunting himself1 entirely endorsed the consistent action of the ,canada ,conference in all of this painful and protracted business4 ,he said3 ,the ,canadian brethren are right1 and we are wrong4 7,see a subsequent ,chapter on the subject47 ,looking at the facts of the case in the light of to-day1 can any one wonder at the pertinacity and zeal with which ,dr4 ,ryerson resisted the unnatural and unwise system of foreign dictation sought to be imposed upon the ,canadian ,connexion4 ,this he did at a great sacrifice of personal feeling1 and of personal friendship1 as well as of personal comfort and popularity4 ,he maintained1 as he had stipulated in the articles of ,union1 that the rights and privileges of the ,canadian preachers and ,societies should be preserved inviolate4 ,he knew that a ,church in a free country like ,canada1 characterized as it was by ,methodistic zeal and vigour1 and yet tempered by the moderation of ,canadian institutions and manners1 possessed within itself a spirit of independence and of growth and progress which would never brook the official control of a ,committee thousands of miles away4 ,to be subject to even the generous control of such a ,committee1 possessed of no practical experience in ,canadian matters1 would1 he knew1 doom the ,church to a dwarfed1 and unnatural1 and a miserable existence4 ,events had already proved to ,dr4 ,ryerson 7while the ,union during #ahci-ahdj was in a moribund state7 that the ,church1 controlled by a dominant section of the ,british ,conference1 would be a prey to internal feuds and jealousies4 ,in the conflicts that would then ensue spiritual life would die out1 missionary zeal would be fitful in its efforts1 and every ,church interest would partake largely of a sectional and partizan character1 destructive alike to the symmetry1 growth and harmony of development of a living ,church1 endowed with rich spiritual life and free and vigorous in its independent action4 ,to a person of the statesman-like qualities of mind which ,dr4 ,ryerson possessed in so high a degree1 these things must have been ever present4 ,they gave evident decision to his thoughts and vigour to his pen4 ,he was no novice in public or ecclesiastical affairs4 ,he had been trained for fifteen years in a school of resistance1 almost single-handed1 to ecclesiastical domination1 and had detected and exposed intrigues1--one of which was of parties in this conflict1 which was entirely derogatory to the dignity and independence of ,methodism in ,canada4 7,see pages #bch-bda47 ,his knowledge of public affairs and of party leaders gave him abundant insight into the motives and tactics of men bent upon accomplishing pet schemes and favourite projects4 ,and all of this knowledge had so ripened his experience that it rendered him the invaluable and trusted leader in ,canadian ,methodism1 which in those days made his name a household word in the ,methodist homes of ,upper ,canada4 ,this trust and confidence he never betrayed4 ,his unswerving fidelity to his ,church and people cost him dearly--the loss of many friends1 and the reproaches of many enemies4 ,but he survived it all1 and was enabled1 under ,providence1 to mould the institutions of ,canadian ,methodism and even of his native country4 ,he has left on some of them the impress of his mind and genius1 which it is the pride of ,canadians to recognize and acknowledge to this day4 ,,footnotes3 #aaa ,the more important parts of the painful proceedings at this ,conference are given in ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pages #cda-ceh4 ,the result of this formidable attack on ,dr4 ,ryerson by the ,english ,missionary party before the ,canada ,conference1 is thus stated by ,rev4 ,dr4 ,carroll3 ,when the ,rev4 ,matthew ,richey's motion of condemnation on the ,rev4 ,egerton ,ryerson for his interference in the matter of the ,government grant of #ijj to ,wesleyan missions was put to the ,conference1 there were only eight in its favour1 several of whom1 after obtaining further light1 wished to change their votes2 and fifty-nine against it4 ,three were excused from voting4--,case1 etc41 vol4 iv41 page #bih1 note4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 #ahdj-ahda4 ,last ,pastoral ,charge4--,lord ,sydenham's ,death4 ,the following paragraphs1 prepared by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 refer to this period of his history3-- ,in the autumn of #ahdj1 on returning from ,england1 when the ,english ,wesleyan ,committee and ,conference seceded from the ,union with the ,canadian ,conference1 ,i was appointed to ,adelaide ,street station in ,toronto1 which had been filled for two years by the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,richey--an eloquent and popular preacher4 ,the separation between the two ,conferences had taken place the week before ,i assumed the charge of ,adelaide ,street station4 ,dr4 ,richey had carried off the greater part of both the private and official members of the ,church1 and ,i was left with but a skeleton of each4 ,when ,i ascended the pulpit for the first time1 the pews in the body of the church1 which had been occupied by those who had seceded1 were empty1 and there were but scattered hearers1 here and there1 in the other pews and in the gallery4 ,by faith and prayer ,i had prepared myself for the crucial test1 and conducted the services without apparent depression or embarrassment4 ,i made no pretensions1 and had never made any1 to pulpit eloquence--the motto of my ministry being to make things plain and strong by previous thought and prayer1 and without verbal preparation4 ,i often went from lying on my back in my study1 in an agony of distress and prayer1 to the pulpit1 where a divine anointing seemed to rest upon me1 such as ,i had never before experienced4 ,there were frequent prayer-meetings in my own study1 at six o'clock in the morning4 ,the result was1 by the ,divine blessing1 that the church was filled with hearers1 and the membership was more than doubled4 ,at the first ,annual ,missionary ,meeting in the ,church after the division1 the ,president of the ,executive ,council presided2 several members of the ,government were on the platform1 and the collections and subscriptions were more than double those of any previous year4 ,the pretext for this separation of the ,english ,wesleyan ,committee and ,conference from the ,canadian ,conference1 was professed loyalty in ,church and ,state2 but both the ,imperial and ,canadian ,government of that day approved the position of the ,canadian ,conference1 withdrew and suspended the grant previously made to the ,london ,wesleyan ,missionary ,committee during the seven years of its hostility to the ,canadian ,conference1 and only consented to its restoration for the joint interests of the two ,conferences1 and on recommendation of the ,representatives of the ,canadian ,conference1 after the reconciliation and reunion of the two ,conferences1 in #ahdg4 ,illustration3 ,old ,newgate ,street 7afterwards ,adelaide ,st47 ,wesleyan ,church1 #ahcb-ahgb4 ,in ,october1 #ahdj1 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed a letter of congratulation to ,lord ,sydenham1 on his elevation to the peerage4 ,he again referred to the publication of the ,monthly ,review1 proposed by ,his ,excellency4 ,in regard to the latter he said3-- ,the publication of a monthly periodical such as ,i suggested to your ,excellency last spring1 appears to me now1 as it did then1 to be of great importance1 in order to mould the thinkings of public men and the views of the country in harmony with the principles of the new ,constitution and the policy of ,your ,excellency's administration1 and to secure a rational and permanent appreciation of its objects1 and merits2 and it would have afforded me sincere satisfaction to have given a proper tone and character to a publication of that kind4 ,but what ,i have written publicly in reference to the principles and measures of ,your ,excellency's ,government has already been productive of serious consequences both to myself and the ,body with which ,i am connected4 ,in the discharge of my ecclesiastical duties1 ,i have to devote several hours of four days in each week to visiting the sick1 poor1 and other members of my pastoral charge1 and am preparing a series of discourses on the ,patriarchal ,history1 and the ,evidences of ,christianity1 arising from the discoveries of modern science1 and the testimony of recent travellers1 besides the correspondence and engagements which devolve upon me in the office ,i hold in the ,methodist ,church4 ,under such circumstances the assumption by me of the management of such a periodical is impracticable4 ,i could not do justice to it1 nor to my other appropriate duties4 ,i might1 in the course of my miscellaneous reading1 select passages from established authors1 which would be suitable for a miscellany at the end of each number1 to illustrate and confirm the principles discussed in the preceding pages of it4 ,i might now and then contribute a general article on the ,intellectual and ,moral ,elements of ,canadian ,society2 or1 on the ,evils of ,party ,spirit2 or1 on the ,necessity of ,general ,unity in order to ,general ,prosperity1 etc41 etc42 but even in these respects ,i fear ,i could not render much efficient aid1 from the exhaustion of my physical strength in other labours1 and for want of the requisite time for study1 in order to write instructively and effectively on general subjects4 ,in the same letter1 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus referred to his determination to take no further part in the discussion of public affairs1 owing to the hostility which his support of ,lord ,sydenham's policy had excited in various quarters#aab3-- ,in retiring from taking any public part in the civil affairs of this country1 ,i beg to express my grateful sense of the frankness1 kindness1 and condescension which ,i have experienced from ,your ,excellency4 ,you are the first ,governor of ,canada who has taken the pains to investigate the character and affairs of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church for himself1 and not judge and act from hearsay2 the first ,governor to ascertain my sentiments1 feelings1 and wishes from my own lips1 and not from the representations of others4 ,as a body1 considering our labours and numbers1 we have certainly been treated unjustly and hardly by the ,local ,government4 ,every effort was used here to deprive us of the ,royal liberality1 and ,lord ,glenelg's recommendations in regard to the ,upper ,canada ,academy4 ,i think ,lord ,john ,russell himself was prepossessed against me by the representations of ,rev4 ,mr4 ,alder1 and probably of ,sir ,george ,arthur and others4 ,but by your condescension and courtesy ,i have been prompted and emboldened to express myself to ,your ,excellency on all questions of civil government and the affairs of this country1 more fully than ,i have to any man living4 ,my private opinions and public writings have been simultaneously before ,your ,excellency1 together with all the circumstances under which ,i have expressed the one and published the other4 ,i feel confident1 therefore1 that however ,i may be misrepresented by some1 or misunderstood by others1 ,i shall have justice in the estimate and opinions of ,your ,excellency--that ,i have been anything but theoretical or obstinate--that ,i have shrunk from no responsibility in the time of need and difficulty--and that my opinions1 whether superficial or well-considered1 are such as any common-sense1 practical man1 whose connection1 associations1 and feeling are involved in the happiness and well-being of the middle classes1 might be expected to entertain4 ,it is not my intention or wish to obtrude my opinions upon your attention1 except in so far as may be necessary to acquaint ,your ,excellency with the interests and wishes of the body whom ,i have been appointed to represent4 ,in regard to the many other important questions embraced in the great objects of your ,government1 ,i shall abstain from any officious interference2 although all that may be in my mind or heart on any subject shall be at the service of ,your ,excellency when desired4 ,from what ,i have witnessed and experienced1 ,i have no doubt that every possible effort will made to prejudice me in ,your ,excellency's mind1 and induce ,your ,excellency to treat the ,methodist body in this province as preceding ,governors have done4 ,but ,i implore ,your ,excellency to try another course of proceeding1 whether as any experiment1 or as an act of justice4 ,i am persuaded that ,your ,excellency has found no portion of the people of this ,province more reasonable in their requests1 or more easily conciliated to your views and wishes than the ,representatives1 members and friends of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,canada2 and1 ,i doubt not1 ,your ,excellency will find them cultivating and exhibiting the same spirit during the entire period 7and may it be a long one67 of your administration of the ,government of ,canada4 ,on the #hth of the same month1 ,dr4 ,ryerson felt himself constrained to address a note to ,lord ,sydenham in regard to the policy of ,lord ,john ,russell's ,clergy ,reserve ,bill1 so far as it might affect the question of public education1 in which he was deeply interested4 ,he said that he conceived the ,bill to be most unjust in its provisions1 as he had stated to ,his ,lordship 7while it was under consideration of ,parliament74 ,he added3 ,should the partial and exclusive provisions of the measure pervade the views and administration of ,government in ,canada1 in regard to a general system of education1 etc41 ,i should utterly despair of ever witnessing social happiness1 general educational culture1 or unity in this country4 ,but ,i have no doubt the exclusive powers with which the ,bill invests the ,governor1 will be exerted to counteract the inequality of its other provisions1 and that ,your ,excellency's whole system of public policy will be based upon the principles of equal justice to all classes of ,her ,majesty's ,canadian subjects4 ,under these circumstances1 ,i have suggested to the conductor of the ,christian ,guardian 7from the editorship of which ,i retired last ,june7 not to make any remarks on the ,bill which may tend to create dissatisfaction2 nor do ,i intend1 for the same reasons1 to publish the letter which my brother and ,i addressed to ,lord ,john ,russell on the subject4 ,his ,lordship said1 indeed1 that the ,bill was not what he wished1 nor could he say it was just2 but he had clearly ascertained that a more liberal one could not be got through the ,house of ,lords1 and he thought that that ,bill was better than none4 ,the ,hon4 ,isaac ,buchanan1 in a letter to the ,editor1 dated ,april #ahhb1--speaking of these times and events--said3-- ,i was one of ,dr4 ,ryerson's oldest friends and coperators that have survived him4 ,i was first in ,toronto 7then ,york7 in #ahcj4 ,although not then #bj years of age1 ,i came out to ,montreal as a partner in a mercantile firm2 and in the fall of #ahca ,i came up to ,york to establish a branch ,house4 ,from that time ,i have known ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and then formed that high opinion of both his abilities and his character which went on increasing more and more2 so that for the last forty years of his life ,i have regarded him as ,canada's greatest son4 ,of late years ,i seldom met him1 but when ,i did1 it was an inexpressible pleasure to me1 as an interchange of the most unbounded mutual confidences took place between us in our views and objects4 ,he knew my view of religion1--that as with ,spiritual ,religion 7which is nothing to the mind unless it is everything71 so with the ,religion of ,humanity 7my name for the removal of all impediments out of the way of the employment1 and of the enjoyment of living of our own people7--it will not take a second place1 but must be the first question in the politics of every country--otherwise its ,government is a mere political machine4 ,he knew my belief that the ,church ,question being in the way of this people's question1 it took the first place among the causes of all the industrial evils in ,england and ,ireland4 ,with me1 therefore1 it was a sine qua non to get quit of our dominant ,church nuisance in ,canada1 viewing it as a thing in the way of the prosperity of the people1 and therefore as a thing insidiously undermining their loyalty4 ,i am sure that his views were not far removed from mine in this matter1 and yet not a particle of enmity to the ,church ever affected me1 and1 ,i believe1 the same thing was true of ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,but ,i felt the insufferable evil of the position it had in this country1 not only as usurping the first place in politics1 which the ,labour ,question should occupy1 but as rendering the connection with ,england odious and short-lived4 ,being one of those sent for by the ,governor-,general 7,mr4 ,poulett ,thompson7 on the clergy reserve question1 ,i told ,his ,excellency plainly that although my countrymen1 the ,scotch1 did not hesitate to dissent1 as a matter of conscience1 they would not be loyal to a government that made them dissenters by ,act of ,parliament4 ,five years previous to this1 or in #ahce1 ,i had1 as an extra of the ,albion newspaper1 published by ,mr4 ,cull1 about the time ,york became ,toronto1 proposed a plan of settlement for the clergy reserves1 fitted to solve the difficulties connected with them1 whether ,industrial1 ,educational1 or ,political4 ,my proposal was that an educational tax should be levied1 the payments by each church or sect being shewn in separate columns1 and each sect receiving from the clergy reserve fund1 in the proportion of its payments for education4 ,this first attempt of mine to get an endowment for education failed1 as there was then no system of ,responsible ,government4 ,but five years afterwards 7in #ahdj7 when my election for ,toronto had decided the question of ,responsible ,government1 and before the first ,parliament met1 ,i spoke to ,lord ,sydenham1 the ,governor-,general1 on the subject4 ,he felt under considerable obligation to me for standing in the breach when ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin found he could not succeed in carrying ,toronto4 ,i told him that ,i felt sure that if we were allowed to throw the accounts of the ,province into regular books1 we would show a surplus over expenditure4 ,his ,excellency agreed to my proposal1 and ,i stipulated that1 if we showed a surplus1 half would be given as an endowment for an educational system4 ,happily we found that ,upper ,canada had a surplus revenue of about #ajj1jjj a year--half of which the ,parliament of #ahda set aside for education as agreed--the law stipulating that every ,district ,council getting a share of it would locally tax for as much more1 and this constituted the financial basis of our educational system4 ,thus ,i have given you a glimpse of the time when ,dr4 ,ryerson and ,i were active coperators4 ,dr4 ,ryerson has left no farther record of his two years' ministry in ,newgate 7,adelaide7 ,street circuit1 ,toronto1 than that recorded on page #bhb4 ,some incidents of it will be found in the letter of the ,rev4 ,jonathan ,scott1 editor of the ,guardian1 on page #bid4 ,rev4 ,i4 ,b4 ,howard1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's assistant at the time1 has also furnished me with some personal reminiscences of his intercourse with him during the latter year of ,dr4 ,ryerson's pastoral life4 ,he says3-- ,when ,i was ,dr4 ,ryerson's assistant in ,toronto1 upwards of forty years ago 7in #ahda-b71 he was studying ,hebrew with a private tutor4 ,as ,i had previously taken lessons in that language he kindly invited me to unite with him 7at his expense7 in this study4 ,this ,i did three times a week at his house4 ,on those days ,i always dined with him2 and as it was his custom to spend the hour before dinner in devotional reading and prayer1 ,i had the great privilege of spending this hour with him in his study--and ,i shall never forget the sincere1 heart-searching1 and devout manner in which he conducted these hallowed exercises1 nor the great spiritual instruction and benefit ,i received from them4 ,his humble confessions1 earnest pleadings1 and fervent spirit deeply impressed my youthful heart with the fact that he was indeed a man of ,god4 ,during that year 7one of the few of his regular pastorate7 ,i had also the privilege of frequently hearing him preach1 especially during eight weeks of special and very successful revival services1 which we held in old ,adelaide 7then nearly new and known as ,newgate7 ,street ,church4 ,i have frequently heard him preach since that time1 mostly on special occasions1 and always with pleasure and profit2 but never since he left the pastoral work have ,i heard from him such earnest1 powerful and overwhelming appeals to the minds1 and hearts1 and consciences of men1 as when1 with the responsibilities and sympathies of a pastor's heart1 he delighted1 and moved1 and melted the large and admiring audiences which attended his ministry4 ,i have always believed1 that1 had he continued in his pastoral work1 he would have been not only an able and popular1 but also in an eminent degree a successful soul-saving preacher4 ,during the year ,i was with him in ,toronto1 ,dr4 ,ryerson frequently heard me preach2 and as it was only the second year of my ministry his presence in the congregation was at first a great terror to me2 but the kind words of encouragement1 as well as the wise and fatherly counsels which he frequently gave me soon allayed my fears1 and led me to regard it rather as a privilege than a cross to have him for a hearer4#aac ,would that every young preacher had such a kind and sympathizing superintendent6 ,hon4 ,william ,macdougall also bears testimony to the kindness which he experienced from ,dr4 ,ryerson at this period4 ,he says3 ,about the year #ahdj1 ,i was living in the township of ,vaughan1 and like other boys of the same class and age1 devoting my winters to school1 and my summers to the healthful exercise of the farm4 ,my father was a good farmer1 pretty well-to-do1 and ,i1 being the eldest son1 was second in command4 ,he had purchased two or three uncleared lots in the same township1 one of which was designed for me4 ,i was fond of books1 and possessed some good ones1 besides ,i had made diligent use of a circulating library in the neighbourhood4 ,we took in a political newspaper1 an agricultural monthly1 and the ,christian ,guardian4 ,at this point of my career ,i met ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,he came into our neighbourhood to attend a missionary meeting1 and stopped at my father's house4 ,i was asked to go with him to his next appointment4 ,we were thus alone together for some hours4 ,on the way we chatted about temperance1 history1 politics1 education1 etc4 ,the rebellion of #ahcg1 and the political questions that grew out of it still agitated the public mind4 ,he spoke of ,mackenzie and ,rolph2 of ,baldwin and ,bidwell2 of ,sir ,francis ,head and the ,family ,compact4 ,i discovered that he admired ,bidwell1 but disliked ,mackenzie4 ,he took much pains to explain to me some points in reference to the clergy reserve and rectory questions1 and seeing that ,i was an appreciative listener1 he asked me if ,i would like to be a politician4 ,i said ,i would1 if ,i thought ,i could overturn the ,family ,compact1 secure the clergy reserves for education1 and drive the ,hudson ,bay ,company out of the ,north-,west4 ,he looked at me for a moment with an amused expression4 ,the last plank of my platform seemed to arouse his curiosity4 ,the ,hudson ,bay ,company and its affairs had not then attracted much notice4 ,he asked me why ,i desired to drive out the ,hudson ,bay ,company4 ,i replied that ,i had read a lecture by ,hon4 ,r4 ,b4 ,sullivan1 on immigration and the movement of population westward1 in which he described the ,great ,valley of the ,saskatchewan in colours so glowing1 that ,i wondered why we did not all go there1 but on further enquiry ,i found that a small body of ,london ,fur-traders claimed the whole country as a preserve for musk-rats and foxes1 under an old charter from a ,king who1 at the time1 did not own a foot of it2 that ,i thought the fur-traders ought to be compelled to give up the good land1 vi et armis1 if need be4 ,he said1 ,my young friend1 your ambition is great2 ,i am afraid you have not considered the difficulties to be overcome4 ,i felt slightly sat upon2 but ,i warmed with my subject1 and as ,i had already made temperance speeches to admiring audiences in the back concessions1 ,i was not easily disconcerted4 ,he then made the remark which forty years afterwards ,i recalled to his recollection4 ,before you undertake such enterprises you must study law2 it is a noble profession1 and in this country is the only sure road to success in politics4 ,if ,i had not felt it my duty to preach the ,gospel1 ,i would have studied law myself4 ,i remarked that ,i had read articles in the ,christian ,guardian1 attributed to him1 which ,i had heard people say exhibited a great deal of legal knowledge4 ,he seemed pleased by the compliment1 but did not acknowledge the paternity of the articles4 ,after some further conversation as to my studies1 etc41 he recommended me to begin at once to read ,latin1 and promised to speak to my father and advise him to let me study law4 ,he kept his promise2 my father rather reluctantly consented1 telling me that if ,i left home ,i would lose the farm4 ,you know the rest4 ,may ,i not venture the remark1 that if a promising agriculturist was spoiled by that interview1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was the spoiler8 and1 if ,canada has derived any benefit from my humble labours as journalist1 legislator1 executive councillor1 etc41 he is entitled to a share of the credit1 for1 as ,i loved--and still recall with envious regret--the unsophisticated pleasures and contentment of a farmer's life1 ,i would1 probably1 have pursued the even tenor of my bucolic way but for his advice and kind-hearted mediation4 ,in the political controversies that agitated the country from #ahej to #ahfb1 we sometimes crossed swords4 ,in #ahfe1 it became my duty1 as a member of ,government1 to carry through ,parliament an important measure relating to ,grammar ,schools4 ,much to his surprise1 ,i successfully resisted all attempts at mutilation1 for which he warmly expressed his acknowledgements4 ,during the serious1 and sometimes acrimonious discussions which preceded and followed the ,act of ,confederation1 ,i enjoyed the benefit of his approving sympathy and wise counsel4 ,others with better warrant may speak of his great power and achievements as a ,christian ,minister2 but you will permit me to say that ,i knew him as a generous friend and patron of ,canadian youth2 as a sagacious and resolute man of affairs2 as a staunch defender of the ,british constitutional system of government2 and as a patriotic1 true-hearted son of ,canada--,si monumentum requiris--circumspice6 ,dr4 ,ryerson's pastoral charge of the ,toronto ,city ,circuit in #ahdj-da1 and other ministerial duties1 engrossed all of his time to the exclusion of other matters4 ,it seemed to have been a positive relief to him to engage in these more congenial pursuits4 ,he rarely used his pen1 except on very pressing occasions4 ,he was nevertheless a close observer of passing events1 but took no active part in them4 ,lord ,sydenham frequently availed himself of ,dr4 ,ryerson's counsel and co-operation4 ,shortly before the death of that able ,governor1 ,dr4 ,ryerson had gone to ,kingston1 as requested1 on matters of public interest4 ,the unexpected death of ,lord ,sydenham1 on the #aith of ,september1 #ahda 7the immediate cause of which was a fall from his horse71 called forth a burst of universal sorrow throughout the then newly created ,province of ,canada4 ,one of the most touching tributes to his memory was penned by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 while on his way to ,kingston to see him4 ,it was published in the ,guardian of the #bith ,september1 and republished with other notices in a pamphlet by ,mr4 7now ,sir7 ,francis ,hincks1 then editor of the ,toronto ,examiner4 ,from that sketch of ,lord ,sydenham's career ,i take the following concluding passages3-- ,at the commencement of ,his ,lordship's mission in ,upper ,canada1 when his plans were little known1 his difficulties formidable1 and his ,government weak1 ,i had the pleasing satisfaction of giving him my humble and dutiful support in the promotion of his non-party and provincial objects2 and now that he is beyond the reach of human praise or censure--where all earthly ranks and distinctions are lost in the sublimities of eternity--,i have the melancholy satisfaction of bearing my humble testimony to his candour1 sincerity1 faithfulness1 kindness and liberality4 ,a few days before the occurrence of the accident which terminated his life1 ,i had the honour of spending an evening and part of a day in free conversation with ,his ,lordship2 and on that1 as well as on former similar occasions1 he observed the most marked reverence for the truths of ,christianity--a most earnest desire to base the civil institutions of the country upon ,christian principles1 with a scrupulous regard to the rights of conscience--a total absence of all animosity against any person or parties opposed to him--and an intense anxiety to silence dissensions and discord1 and render ,canada contented1 happy and prosperous4 444 ,the day before his lamented death he expressed his regret that he had not given more of his time to religion4444 ,the last hours of his life were spent in earnest supplications to the ,redeemer1 in humble reliance upon whose atonement he yielded up the ghost4 ,after the publication of this letter in the ,guardian1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received the following acknowledgment from ,t4 ,w4 ,c4 ,murdoch1 ,esq41 late private ,secretary to ,lord ,sydenham3-- ,i ought to have thanked you before for the numbers of the ,guardian containing your letter on the death of ,lord ,sydenham4 ,that letter ,i have read over and over again with the deepest emotion1 and ,i cannot but feel how much more worthily the task of writing the history of his administration might have been confided to your hands than to mine4 ,that ,i shall discharge the duty with affectionate zeal and good faith1 ,i hope ,i need not assure you1 but ,i fear my inability to do justice to so statesmanlike an administration1 or to make apparent to others those nice shades of policy which constituted the beauty and insured the success of his government4 ,in the meantime what are we to hope or expect from the new ,governor ,sir ,c4 ,bagot4 ,my principal confidence is that ,sir ,r4 ,peel is too prudent a man to wish discredit to his administration by allowing the re-introduction of the old1 bad system1 and that consequently ,sir ,charles will be instructed to follow out to the best of his ability ,lord ,sydenham's policy4 ,,footnotes3 #aab ,in the ,guardian of ,october #gth1 #ahdj1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3--,lord ,sydenham well knows the feelings of reluctance and apprehension under which ,i assumed the responsibility of giving my humble and earnest support to the measures of his government in ,upper ,canada4444 ,he well knows that ,i adopted the course ,i did with a deep consciousness that it would be attended with personal sacrifice1 with no other expectation or wish but justice to the church to which ,i belonged--equal justice to other churches--and the hope of prosperity to my native country under an improved and efficient system of government4 ,i did not indeed expect that hostility against me from ,london would be prosecuted to the extent it has been4444 ,i have incurred the censure of the ,british ,conference for supporting1 and not for opposing1 the government when it needed my support1 and when it was in my power to have embarrassed it4444 ,as it respects myself personally1 ,i shall not repine at having made the sacrifice1 if the new system of government but succeeds1 and the land of my birth and affections is made prosperous and happy4 ,note on page #aii4 #aac ,this the ,editor has been assured was also ,rev4 ,dr4 ,potts' experience of ,dr4 ,ryerson as a hearer1 several years afterwards1 and during the time that he 7,dr4 ,potts7 was pastor of the ,metropolitan ,church1 ,toronto4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 #ahda4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's attitude toward the ,church of ,england4 ,the constant references in this volume to ,dr4 ,ryerson's attitude of hostility to the exclusive claims and pretensions put forth on behalf of the ,church of ,england in this province1 require some explanation4 ,his opponents sought to neutralize this opposition by endeavouring to make it appear that1 because he opposed these claims and ignored these pretensions1 he was hostile to the ,church of ,england as a great spiritual power in the land4#aad ,he had himself often pointed out the fallacy of this reasoning1 and drawn so clear a distinction between men and things in the controversy--the ,church and her representatives--that ,i cannot add any thing to what he has written on the subject4 ,in one letter he said3-- ,i am often charged with hostility to the ,church of ,england4 ,did ,i know nothing of the ,church of ,england except what has been exhibited in this province1 444 how could ,i have any partiality for that ,church8 ,there is a large and growing branch of the ,established ,church in ,england that ,i venerate1 admire1 and love2 but there is a semi-popish branch of it for which ,i have no such respect1 and that is the branch1 with a few individual exceptions1 which exists in this province4444 ,again1 in a letter to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper1 on the clergy reserve question1 dated ,october #abth1 #ahch1 he said3-- ,i would not derogate an iota from the respect claimed by the ,church of ,england on account of the prerogatives to which she is legally entitled in ,england4 ,as the form of religion professed by the ,sovereign and rulers of the ,empire--as the ,established ,church of the ,british realm--as the ,church which has nursed some of the greatest statesmen1 philosophers1 and divines that have enlightened1 adorned1 and blest the world1 she cannot fail to command the respect of all enlightened men1 whatever may be thought of the conduct and pretensions of the ,canadian branch of that ,church--pretensions which have been virtually repudiated in royal charters1 and contradicted by the entire civil and ecclesiastical history of the old ,british colonies4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's attitude to the ,church of ,england was clearly defined in a private and friendly correspondence between him and ,john ,kent1 ,esq41 ,editor of ,the ,church newspaper1 in #ahda-db4 7,see page #ig47 ,that paper was established in ,may1 #ahcg1 as the organ of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada4 ,it was at first edited by ,rev4 ,dr4 7afterwards ,bishop7 ,bethune1 rector of ,cobourg4 ,in #ahda1 ,john ,kent1 ,esq41 became its editor4#aae ,in the religions controversies of those days ,the ,church1 was ably edited4 ,it was a decided champion of the high church1 or ,puseyite party1 and1 as such it came into constant conflict with the ,wesleyan ,methodists and their organ1 the ,christian ,guardian1 and especially with its chief editor1 ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,on the #bast ,december1 #ahda1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote a letter for insertion in ,the ,church1 and accompanied it with a private note to ,mr4 ,kent4 ,from that letter ,i make the following extracts3-- ,i1 as well as my friends1 have been the subjects of repeated strictures in your pages2 during the last two years ,i have replied not a word1 nor published a line in reference to the ,church ,of ,england4 ,i have stated on former occasions--and perhaps my two years' silence may now give some weight to the statement--that my objections had no reference to the existence1 or prosperity1 of the ,church of ,england as a ,church1 but simply and solely to its exclusive establishment and endowment in ,upper ,canada1 especially1 and indeed entirely1 in reference to the clergy reserves4 ,during the discussions which took place1 and which were continued for years1 ,i wrote many strong things2 but nothing on the ,episcopal form of ,government1 or the formularies1 or doctrines of the ,church of ,england4 ,the doctrines of the ,church of ,england1 as contained in the ,articles and ,homilies1 ,i always professed to believe4 ,on the subject of ,church ,government1 ,i often expressed my views in the language of ,dr4 ,paley1 and in accordance with the sentiments of many distinguished dignitaries and divines of the ,church of ,england1 that no particular form of ,church ,government has been enjoined by the ,apostles4 ,i have objected to the ,episcopal1 or any other one form of ,church ,government1 being put forth as essential to the existence of the ,church of ,christ1 and as the only ,scriptural form2 but no further4 ,i do not think the form of ,church1 any more than the form of civil government1 is settled in the ,scriptures2 ,i believe that both are left1 as ,bishop ,stillingfleet has shown at large1 to times1 places1 and circumstances1 to be determined upon the ground of expediency and utility--a ground on which ,dr4 ,paley has supported the different orders of the ,church of ,england with his accustomed clearness1 ability and elegance4 ,i know1 on the contrary1 that much may be said upon the same ground in favour of itinerancy1 of ,presbyterianism1 and of independency4 ,on the subject of forms of prayer1 ,i have never written2 though ,i have for many years used forms of prayer in private as helps to1 not substitutes for1 devotion4 ,i believe the foundation of the ,church of ,christ is not laid in forms1 but in doctrines4444 ,i believe it would be a moral calamity for either the ,church of ,england1 or ,church of ,scotland1 or the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church1 the ,congregational1 or the ,baptist ,churches to be annihilated in this province4 ,i believe there are fields of labour which may be occupied by any one of those ,churches with more efficiency and success than by any of the others4 ,they need not1 and ,i think1 ought not1 to be aggressors upon each other4444 ,as there were seven ,apostolic ,churches in ,asia1 we believe ourselves one of the ,apostolic ,churches in ,canada4444 ,those persons1 who believe that the instruction1 and religious advantages and privileges afforded by our ,church will more effectually aid them in working out their salvation than those which they can command in any other part of the general fold of ,christ1 are affectionately received under our watch-care2 but not on account of our approximation to1 or our dissent from1 the ,church of ,england1 or any other ,church4 ,with the settlement of the clergy reserve question ended my controversy with the ,church of ,england1 as ,i have again and again intimated that it would4 ,churches1 as well as individuals1 may learn wisdom from experience4 ,i therefore1 submit1 whether the controversies and their characteristic feelings between the ,church of ,england and the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in this province ought not to cease1 with the removal of the causes which produced them8444 ,whether both ,churches are not likely to accomplish more religious and moral good by directing their energies against prevalent vice and ignorance than by mutual warfare8 ,dr4 ,ryerson concludes his letter in the following truthful and striking language3-- ,i intend no offence when ,i express my conviction that the ,church of ,england in this province has vastly greater resources for doing good than for warring with other ,protestant ,churches4 ,i know her weak points1 as well as her strong towers4 ,i am not a stranger to the appropriate weapons for assailing the one1 and for neutralizing the strength of the other4 ,and you have not to learn that it is easier to deface than to beautify--to pull down a fair fabric than to rear a common structure2 and that a man may injure others without benefitting himself4 ,on the other hand ,i am equally sensible that the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church has nothing to gain by controversy2 but ,i am quite sure1 from past experience1 as well as from present aspects1 that she has not so much to fear1 to risk1 or to lose1 as the ,church of ,england4 ,if controversy be perpetuated between your ,church and our own1 ,i wash my hands from all responsibility of it--even should the duty of self-defence compel me to draw the sword which ,i had1 in inclination and intention1 sheathed for ever4 ,history1 and our own experience to some extent1 abounds with monitory lessons1 that personal disputes may convulse churches1 that ecclesiastical controversies may convulse provinces1 and lead to the subversion of governments4444 ,in his private note to ,mr4 ,kent1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,i have long been impressed with the conviction that ,canada could not prosper under the element of agitation4 ,i supported the ,union of the ,canadas with a view to their civil tranquility4 ,i believe my expectations will be realized4 ,in our new state of things ,i desire not to be considered as standing in an attitude of hostility to the ,church of ,england1 any more than to any other ,church4 ,i have wished and resolved to leave civil and ecclesiastical party politics with the former bad state of things4 ,travelling1 observation and experience1 have been a useful school to me1 and time will do justice to the merits or demerits of my motives and conduct4 ,on the #bbnd of ,december1 ,mr4 ,kent replied to ,dr4 ,ryerson3-- ,do not think that ,i wish to meet you coldly4 ,i would gladly fling away the weapons of strife4 ,the warfare in which ,i am engaged1 and which ,i dare not decline1 is literally embittering my existence1 and pressing upon me very severely4 ,i am not aware that ,i have in any way personally attacked you1 or ever by name1 since the commencement of my editorial career4 ,i should hail a day of concord with overflowing joy4 ,i should rejoice to see your powerful1 acute1 and vigorous mind exerting itself in a manner that we should all consider serviceable to the cause of loyalty and the ,protestant religion4 ,from a glance at your letters1 ,i fondly hope that some gleam of light is breaking in upon us all4 ,my firm conviction is that the doctrine of the apostolical succession will be the bond of union and the cementer of differences1 now apparently impossible4 ,you must have studied the question--and how can your vivid and clear mind elude its force8 ,must there not be some one apostolical mode of conferring the ministerial functions1 or must it be open to all1 and ,quakerism be right8 ,i do not think ,i have been the assailant4 ,the ,guardian is outrageously personal and unscrupulous in its misstatements4444 ,i am far from thinking that ,i am meek and gentle enough2 but ,i have carefully excluded personalities1--though ,i readily concede that my course of argument1 which pervades all ,i write or select1 has been to cut away the ground from under the feet of every denomination in the province1 outside of the ,church4 ,the papists1 ,i firmly believe1 are meditating some grand movement all over the world2 and it would be glorious indeed if ,protestants could find a common centre of union4 ,but what can ,i1 in my humble way1 do8 ,i dare not drop the necessity of the apostolical succession1--though ,i might dwell less upon it1 and avoid1 as much as possible1 as ,i always have done1 to mix it up with offence to other denominations4 ,yet1 as ,i before intimated1 the assertion and maintenance of it1 in the simplest and least controversial manner1 must ever provoke hostility4 ,it is an endless subject to get upon4444 ,i shall be very happy to call on you at an early opportunity1 and obtain1 or rather revive1 the pleasure of your personal acquaintance4 ,it would be the happiest ,christmas ,i ever spent1 if it witness the extinction of long theological enmities1 and the dawn of an era of ,christian concord and love4 ,on the #bith ,december1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote a private note again to ,mr4 ,kent4 ,he said3--,i was glad to learn by the last ,church that you will give my remarks a place in your columns1 and that you cordially and elegantly respond to the general spirit and design of them4444 ,i have had a correspondence with the ,editor of the ,guardian in reference to the mode of conducting it1 in regard to the ,church of ,england1 and in some other respects4 ,i am happy to be able to say that he has at length yielded to my reasonings and recommendations1 and will1 ,i have no doubt1 conduct the ,guardian in accordance with the general views expressed in my communications to you4#aaf ,to-day's ,guardian1 as you see1 presents a visible and agreeable improvement in the points referred to4 ,i blame you not for your strict and high principles as a churchman1 but ,i do not think that you do now make sufficient allowance for difference of forms and ceremonies in the common faith of ,protestantism4 ,i think you should allow as much as ,archbishop 7,lord ,keeper7 ,williams has done1 and as much as is involved in the passage quoted by him from ,irenus4 ,why should we be unchurched any more than the continental churches8 ,mr4 ,kent1 in reply to ,dr4 ,ryerson 7#cast ,december71 said3-- ,i trust you will think that in the remarks which ,i have made on your letter in ,the ,church1 ,i have met your overtures in a pacific and cordial spirit4 ,i am sure that my remarks will be much more acceptable to churchmen1 so far as such remarks are friendly to you1 than they will be to others not belonging to our pale4 ,i have not consulted a soul about what ,i have written1 nor have ,i shown your pleasing reply to my first note to any one save good and safe ,mr4 ,henry ,rowsell2 though ,i should like to show it to ,rev4 ,h4 ,j4 ,grasett1 and ,bishop ,strachan4 ,you need never be afraid of what you say to me in confidence4444 ,it is certainly much more consistent in you 7provided only you get rid of ,mr4 ,wesley's authority1 and then1 by the way1 you destroy your genealogy and succession7 to call yourselves a ,church1 than to be of the ,church and not in it4444 ,you are said to possess some fine old ,divinity works4 ,you cannot have read them without some approximation to our ,church4 ,you are not in the position of the continental ,churches4 ,no constraint is upon you4 ,you can get ,episcopacy1 if you desire it4 ,neither does the ,church of ,england stand relatively towards you1 as the ,gallican ,church towards the ,huguenots4 ,you admit the purity of our doctrine1 and do not consider our discipline unscriptural4 ,if you were to read ,bishop ,stillingfleet on ,separation1 ,i think you would open up new trains of thought4 ,i just became so staunch an ,episcopalian1 from viewing the matter extrinsically of ,scripture and history1 and was led to conclude1 from the nature of things1 that there can be but one valid ministry4 ,you are certainly a ,prospero4 ,you have waved your magic wand over the ,guardian4 ,i saw it in an instant1 and saw that you had done it4 ,i purposely1 in my editorial1 abstained from all allusions to our confidential intercourse1 or ,i would have thanked you for this exercise of your healing influence4 ,it is by no means an unpleasing marvel that you and ,i1 on the last day of #ahda1 should be conversing so pleasantly and amicably4 ,i trust that peace and amity will flourish still more6 ,do me the favour to accept a slight ,new ,year's gift at my hands4 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote a reply to the strictures of ,the ,church newspaper1 and on the #bfth addressed a private note on the subject to ,mr4 ,kent1 in which he said3-- 444 ,the great difference between us seems to be that ,i value what ,i hold to be the cardinal doctrines1 and morals and interests of ,christianity1 above either ,churchism or ,methodism4 ,so that those interests are advanced1 either through the ,church of ,england1 or ,church of ,scotland1 or any other ,protestant ,church1 ,i therein do rejoice and will rejoice4 ,you make the ,church of ,england first of all--essential to all--all in all2 and that all who are not in the ,church of ,england are enemies to the ,church of ,christ1 strangers to the covenants of promise1 and aliens from the commonwealth of ,israel4 444 ,it is true you have exempted me by way of compliment2 but no intelligent man would wish to hold his religious intercourse and standing on the tenor of a compliment2 and that too at the expense of his ecclesiastical connexion and general principles4 ,if ,i cannot but be viewed as an enemy of the ,church of ,england as a ,methodist1 it is a poor compliment to tell me that ,i am friendly to it as a man4 ,i do not understand the hair-splitting casuistry which separates the man from the ,christian4444 ,i believe in your perfect sincerity and personal disinterestedness and kindness1 but ,i must say that you do not appear from the last ,church to suppose it possible for a man to think in a different channel from yourself without endangering his title to the skies1 or to common sense1 and without absolutely forfeiting his claim to orthodox ,christianity4 ,i refer not all to your maintenance of apostolic succession1 but to your unqualified reprobation of the motives1 feelings1 and character of all who are not of your own fold4 ,how different are the sentiments and spirit of ,bishop ,onderdonk's essay in support of the ,divine ,right of ,episcopacy from those of your articles in the last ,church8 ,now1 though we may be without the attributes of what you believe to be a scripturally constituted ,church1 we are not without the attributes and feelings of men4444 ,the apparatus of the ,church of ,england is surprisingly powerful when spiritually1 rightly1 and comprehensively applied2 but to build your structure like an inverted pyramid1 and to rouse every one not of you into warfare against you1 does not appear to me to be sound in theory1 or wise in practice4 ,mr4 ,kent1 in a private reply1 dated #crd ,february1 said3-- ,i have read your letter over so as to prepare my remarks4 ,in doing this ,i anticipate no trouble4 ,on the contrary1 ,i hope to strengthen my position and give greater weight to my axioms respecting the duties of ,churchmen in withholding aid from all religious societies unconnected with the ,church4 ,i find1 however1 that your tone of remark is excessively warm and indignant2 and1 deeming from the tenor of your conversation on ,thursday last1 that you have doubts on your mind respecting church government1 and feeling convinced that if ever you are led to subscribe to the indispensable obligations of episcopacy1 444 you will admit the validity of my reasons for acting and writing as ,i do--under all these circumstances ,i feel bound to ask you to meditate whether you will not withdraw your letter4 ,i give you my sacred honour that ,i do not dread its effects4 ,but ,i feel this1 that should you ever experience and avow a change of opinion in reference to the matters that are now engaging your attention1 it will be brought up against you by your enemies1 and may altogether prove a constant embarrassment4 ,should you withdraw it1 ,i will only mention the matter to ,mr4 ,grasett1 who has already seen it4 ,should you determine on its insertion1 it shall appear next ,saturday4 ,dr4 ,ryerson did not withdraw his letter1 and it appeared in ,the ,church of ,february #eth4 ,the personal correspondence1 however1 ended here4 ,in accounting for his decided opposition to a church establishment in ,upper ,canada1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,before ,i was twenty years of age ,i had read ,paley's ,political ,philosophy1 including his chapters on the ,british ,constitution and a ,church ,establishment2 ,locke on ,government1 and especially ,blackstone's ,commentaries1 particularly those parts on the ,rights of the ,crown and the ,rights of the ,subject4 ,from ,paley ,i learned that a ,church ,establishment is no part of ,christianity1 but a means of supporting it1 and a means which should be used only when the majority of the people are of the religion thus supported4 ,from ,blackstone ,i learned that the ,church of ,england is the ,established ,church of ,england and ,ireland1 but not of any colony1 except under one or more of three conditions1 none of which existed in ,upper ,canada4 ,upon the grounds1 therefore1 furnished by ,blackstone and ,paley1 ,i opposed the erection of a ,church ,establishment in ,upper ,canada1 without touching the question of a ,church ,establishment in ,england4 ,dr4 ,ryerson in a letter to a friend1 thus refers to his early experiences in regard to the ,church of ,england3-- ,although ,i had no opportunity of attending the service of the ,church of ,england until ,i was nearly twenty years of age1 ,i made the ,homilies and ,prayer ,book1 with the ,bible1 very constant companions of travel and subjects of study4 ,i drew my best pulpit illustrations from them1 at the very time that ,i was controverting the pretensions of the leaders of that ,church to exclusive establishment and supremacy in ,upper ,canada2 and1 in so doing1 ,i had the sympathies and support of a large portion of the members of the ,church of ,england1 in addition to the unanimous support of the members of other religious denominations4 ,i felt that ,i was preaching the ,protestant ,reformation doctrines of the ,church of ,england2 and throughout life ,i have loved the ,church of ,england with all its faults1 only second to that of my own church4 ,i declined the offer of ordination in the ,church of ,england page #bjf several months after ,i commenced preaching on a ,methodist circuit1 simply and solely upon the ground that ,i was indebted to the ,methodists for all the religious instruction and influences ,i had experienced4 ,i believed that ,i would be more useful among them1 though my life would be1 as then appeared1 one of privation and labour4 ,during the first four years of my ministry1 my salary amounted to less than one hundred dollars per annum1 and during the next twelve years 7after my marriage7 my salary did not exceed six hundred dollars a year1 including house rent and fuel4 ,in a letter written on the #bhth ,october1 #ahdc1 to the ,editor of the ,guardian by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 he says3-- ,it is still1 as it has long been1 the position with the ,editor of ,the ,church and writers of his school to represent the efforts of other ,churches to maintain their own equal rights and privileges as hostility to the ,church of ,england4444 ,who proposed peace1 and who has perpetuated war--aggressive war8 page #bib4 444 ,who is it that proclaims bodies prior to his own in ,western ,canada as ,dissenters1 and seeks by every species of unfair statement and insinuation to injure and degrade them--both politically and religiously--and substantially maintaining that ,civil ,government itself is an appropriate ,providential instrument to put down dissent4 ,for one1 ,i have as yet been silent under this provocation1 insult1 and proscription4 ,circumscribed must his views be who does not perceive that ,puseyism1 both in a religious and civil point of view1 will soon become a far more important question for the consideration and decision of the inhabitants of ,western ,canada than that of the seat of ,government1 or than even that of the ,university4 ,and the day is hastening apace1 when it will be a prime matter of inquiry with them to determine 444 whether they will quietly consent to have their civil rights and liberties placed in any form in the hands of men who regard the great majority of their ,christian fellow-subjects as unbaptized heathens and aliens in a ,christian country4 ,such is the issue to which ,the ,church is bringing matters in ,western ,canada4#aag 99 99 99 99 99 ,in a journey from ,kingston to ,toronto by stage1 which ,dr4 ,ryerson made in ,february1 #ahdb1 ,bishop ,strachan was a fellow passenger4 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus speaks of the agreeable intercourse which he had with the ,bishop on that occasion3-- ,for the first time in my life ,i found myself in company with the ,lord ,bishop of ,toronto4 ,he was accompanied by ,mr4 ,t4 ,m4 ,jones1 his son-in-law1 and ,mr4 ,jarvis 7,indian ,department71 very pleasant companions1 nor could ,i desire to meet with a more affable1 agreeable man than the ,bishop himself4 ,it would be unpardonable to introduce remarks 444 of one's neighbours 444 into travelling notes in any form1 but there has been something so peculiar in the relations of ,john ,toronto and ,egerton ,ryerson1 that ,i must beg1 in this instance1 to depart from a general rule4 ,conversation took place on several topics1 on scarcely any of which did ,i see reason to differ from the ,bishop4 ,he spoke of the importance to us of getting our ,college at ,cobourg endowed--that an annual grant was an insufficient dependence--that as the clergy reserve question had been settled by law1 we had as much right to a portion of the clergy lands as the ,church of ,england--that as we did not desire ,government support for our ministers1 we ought to get our proportion appropriated to the ,college1 as religious education was clearly within the provisions of the ,clergy ,reserve ,act4 ,valuable suggestions1 for which ,i thanked his lordship4 ,i took occasion to advert to what had excited the strongest feelings in my own mind1 and in the minds of our people generally--namely imputations on our loyalty to the ,government and laws of the country4 ,the ,bishop1 with his characteristic energy1 said that what he had written on the subject he could at any time prove--that he never represented or supposed that the ,methodist body of people were disaffected2 nor had he represented or supposed that those preachers who had been born and brought up in the country were disloyal2 but he was satisfied that such was the case with the majority of those who used to come from the ,united ,states4 ,i felt that the whole matter was one of history1 and not of practical importance in reference to present interests2 and ,i was much gratified in my own mind to find that the real question1 as one of history1 was the proportion of preachers who formerly came from the ,united ,states1 and the character and tendency of their feelings and influence2 for no preachers have come from the ,united ,states to this country these many years1 and we have none but ,british subjects in the ,canada ,conference4 ,after parting with the ,bishop at ,cobourg1 in analyzing the exercises of my own mind1 ,i found myself deeply impressed with the following facts and considerations3-- #a4 ,that the settlement of the clergy reserve question had annihilated the principal causes of difference between those individuals and bodies in this province who had been most hostile to each other4 #b4 ,that how much asperity of feeling1 and how much bitter controversy might be prevented1 if those most concerned would converse privately with each other before they entered into the arena of public disputation4 #c4 ,that how much more numerous and powerful are the reasons for agreement than for hostility in the general affairs of the country1 even among those who differ most widely on points of religious doctrine and polity4#aah ,,footnotes3 #aad ,i have already on pages #da and #bjf mentioned the overtures which were made to ,dr4 ,ryerson by the late ,bishop ,stewart of ,quebec to induce him to enter the ministry of the ,church of ,england4 ,see also page #ig4 #aae ,from #ahda to #ahdc the editorial management of ,the ,church was assumed by ,mr4 ,john ,kent1 who had been a valuable contributor to its pages from the commencement4 ,the excitement1 however1 amid the clash and din of party strife was too much for him1 and the paper came back to its first editor1 who held it again 444 for nearly four years4444 ,it gradually lost ground1 and died out 444 in #ahef4 ,memoir of ,bishop ,strachan by ,bishop ,bethune1 page #aei4 #aaf ,from ,dr4 ,ryerson's letter to ,rev4 ,j4 ,scott1 ,editor of the ,guardian1 ,i make the following extracts3--,i take the liberty to mention two or three things that ,i have seen in the ,guardian which have caused me some pain and concern4 ,i refer to your mode and style of controversy with ,the ,church4 ,during1 and since my late tour to the ,west1 ,i have heard several preachers and some others allude to it1 and nearly all in terms of regret4 ,i set down the questions as they occur to my own mind4 #a4 ,we have no controversy with the ,church of ,england as a ,church ,establishment4 ,we have disclaimed opposing1 or doing anything to disparage the ,church ,establishment in ,england4444 #b4 ,then on the subject of church polity4 ,your articles1 especially the series entitled ,dissent1 etc41 ,no ,wonder--were put forth as a defence4444 ,but which of our institutions did they defend8 ,the burden of them went to prove that the ,church of ,england is unscriptural in its polity1 union with the state1 etc4 ,suppose all this were true1 would it prove that our own ,church is apostolic and ,scriptural8 ,to prove that our neighbours are black1 does not prove that we are white4 ,we do not profess to build up ourselves upon the ruin of any body else1 or to be foragers upon others1 although we readily accept members of other churches when they offer themselves4 ,to prove that ,presbyterian ordination is valid 7as did the valuable series of articles copied by you from the ,wesleyan ,magazine1 and ,powell1 on ,apostolic ,succession7 defends our ordination4 ,to prove that the ,church of ,england is wrong and rotten from beginning to end cannot be a defence of ourselves4 ,it may1 indeed1 please some of our friends2 but it also tends to prove that we are settled enemies to the ,church of ,england in all its forms and features1 as well as in its union with the state4 ,far be it from me to look upon the things ,i have mentioned as characteristics of the ,guardian2 ,i look upon them as blemishes1 and as drawbacks from its usefulness--objects which ,i know are scarcely less dear to your heart than life itself4 ,if we narrow our own foundations by such sweeping denunciations against the ,church of ,england1 and strictures on persons without our communion1 444 we multiply our opponents1 and reduce the circulation of our journal within the circle of our own members4 ,i am sensible of my own errors1 deficiency and unworthiness2 but ,i have felt that ,i should not do my duty to you as a brother beloved1 and one from whom ,i have received too many proofs of regard1 and so much aid in my labours1 without thus telling you what was in my heart4 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,scott at first felt aggrieved and disappointed on receiving this letter and a personal correspondence between him and ,dr4 ,ryerson ensued1 which1 however1 ended satisfactorily4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 written in #ahfd--bc years afterwards1--,mr4 ,scott thus recalls the reminiscence of his career as ,editor of the ,guardian4 ,he says3--,my esteemed friend3 ,you and ,i have not always thought alike 7and what is manliness worth that is not independent enough to disagree87 but as age advances ,i have an increasing pleasure in recalling to mind the years1 when you were ,superintendent of old ,adelaide street ,church1 and ,i was your supplementary helper1--in joint intercession with the humbled at night--in the damp basement1 and during the day pursuing the penitents in dirty taverns1 and the dens of dirtier ,march now ,lombard street1 the sainted ,mrs4 ,s4 ,e4 ,taylor praying for us2 and ,christ won many souls4 ,since then what progress ,scriptural ,christianity--,methodism--has made in ,canada6 ,i trust that when you repose in the tomb1 and ,i am beneath some quiet sod of loved ,canada1 we shall meet those again for whose salvation we laboured4 ,in the words of an ancient wish3 ,may your last days be your best days6 ,mr4 ,scott entered the ministry in #ahcd2 and died at ,brampton1 ,may #eth1 #ahhj1 aged #gg4 #aag ,in this connection see the significant conclusion of the note on page #bia4 #aah ,this incident might also form a fitting sequel to chapter xxvii1 page #bac4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 #ahda-ahdb4 ,victoria ,college4--,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper4--,sir ,chas4 ,bagot4 ,amongst the last public acts performed by ,lord ,sydenham was the giving of the ,royal assent to a ,bill for the erection of the ,upper ,canada ,academy into a ,college with ,university powers4 ,this he did on the #bgth ,august1 #ahda4 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus refers to the event1 in a letter written from ,kingston on that day3-- ,the establishment of such an institution by the members of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,canada attests their estimate of education and science2 and the passing of such an act unanimously by both ,houses of the ,legislature1 and the ,royal assent to it by ,his ,excellency in ,her ,majesty's name1 is an ample refutation of recent statements and proceedings of the ,wesleyan ,committee in ,london 444 while the ,act itself will advance the paramount interests of literary education amongst ,her ,majesty's ,canadian subjects4444 ,for the accomplishment of this purpose1 a grant must be added to the charter--a measure 444 honourable to the enlightened liberality of the ,government and ,legislature4 ,when they are securely laying a broad foundation for popular government1 and devising comprehensive schemes for the development of the latent resources of the country1 and the improvement of its internal communication1 and proposing a liberal system of common school education1 free from the domination of every church1 and aiding colleges which may have been established by any church1 we may rationally and confidently anticipate the arrival of a long-looked for era of civil government and civil liberty1 social harmony1 and public prosperity4 ,in ,october1 #ahda1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was appointed ,principal of the newly-chartered ,college1 and on the #bast of that month1 he opened its first session by a practical address to the students4 ,at the close of that address he said3-- ,his late ,most ,gracious ,majesty ,william ,,iv41 of precious memory1 first invested this institution1 in #ahcf1 with a corporate charter as an ,academy--the first institution of the kind established by ,royal ,charter1 unconnected with the ,church of ,england1 throughout the ,british ,colonies4 ,it is a cause of renewed satisfaction and congratulation1 that1 after five years' operation as an ,academy1 it has been incorporated as a ,college1 and financially assisted by the unanimous vote of both branches of the ,provincial ,legislature1--sanctioned by more than an official cordiality1 in ,her ,majesty's name1 by the late lamented ,lord ,sydenham1 one of whose last messages to the ,legislative ,assembly was1 a recommendation1 to grant #ejj as an aid to the ,victoria ,college4444 ,we have buoyant hopes for our country when our rulers and legislators direct their earliest and most liberal attention to its literary institutions and educational interests4 ,a foundation for a common school system in this province has been laid by the ,legislature1 which ,i believe will at no distant day1 exceed in efficiency any yet established on the ,american ,continent2#aai and ,i have reason to believe that the attention of ,government is earnestly directed to make permanent provision for the support of colleges also1 that they may be rendered efficient in their operation1 and accessible to as large a number of the enterprising youth of our country as possible4 ,illustration3 ,university of ,victoria ,college1 ,cobourg4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 although appointed ,principal of the newly chartered ,victoria ,college in ,october1 #ahda1 did not relinquish his pastoral duties as ,superintendent of the ,toronto ,city ,circuit until the ,conference of ,june1 #ahdb4 ,his appointment as ,general ,secretary of the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,society1 in #ahdj1 necessitated his constant attendance during the winter season at missionary-meetings4 ,correspondence1 consultation1 and committee meetings filled up such time as he could spare from his duties as ,superintendent of the ,circuit4 ,his was indeed a busy life2 and by his untiring energy and industry he was enabled to give more than the usual time to the various departments of the ,church's work4 ,his aid and counsel was constantly being sought in these things1 and was as freely given as though he had the most abundant leisure at his command4 ,in ,february1 #ahdb1 he went to ,kingston to attend its missionary anniversary4 ,while there he says3-- ,in an interview which ,i had with ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 the new ,governor-,general1 it affords me a satisfaction ,i cannot express1 to be able to say that1 in advancing the interests of ,victoria ,college1 and in securing the rights and interests of our ,church1 ,sir ,charles ,bagot will not be second to ,lord ,sydenham--that while1 as a man and a ,christian1 ,his ,excellency is a strict and conscientious churchman1 as a ,governor he will know no creed or party in his decisions and administration4444 ,i believe that it is a principle of ,his ,excellency's ,government1 in public appointments1 etc41 qualifications and character being equal1 to give the preference to native and resident inhabitants of the province--those who have suffered in the privations1 have grown with the growth1 and strengthened with the strength of the country4 ,sir ,charles has the wisdom and experience of sixty-three years1 and the buoyant activity of our public men of forty4 ,if ,i mistake not1 the characteristics of his government will be impartiality and energy--not in making further changes1 but1--in consolidating and maturing the new institutions which have been established amongst us--in obliterating past differences1 in developing the latent resources of the country1 and in raising up a united1 happy1 and prosperous people4 ,in ,march1 #ahdb1 the question was raised as to the right of ministers of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,canada1 who had been members of the old organization of the ,methodist ,episcopal ,church in ,upper ,canada1 to solemnize matrimony1 or for the ,conference legally to hold church property4 ,dr4 ,ryerson prepared a case on the subject1 and submitted it to ,hon4 ,r4 ,s4 ,jameson1 the ,attorney-,general1 for his opinion4 ,the opinion of the ,attorney-,general was conclusive in favour of these rights1 and thus this troublesome question1 so often raised by adversaries1 was finally set at rest4 ,the transition period between the death of ,lord ,sydenham and the arrival of his successor1 ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 was marked by much uncertainty in political matters4 ,in ,september1 #ahdb1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to his friend1 ,mr4 ,john ,p4 ,roblin1 the ,liberal ,m4,p4,p4 for ,prince ,edward county1 on the apparently threatening aspect of affairs4 ,mr4 ,roblin1 in his reply1 dated ,kingston1 ,september #afth1 said3#abj ,the political sea has indeed appeared rough2 the clouds were dark and ominous of a dreadful storm4 ,but ,i am happy to say that they have passed away1 and the prospect before us is now favourable4 ,there were in the ,house quite a large majority against ministers2 this they plainly saw1 and1 therefore1 shaped their course to avert the blow4 ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper stated distinctly that it was1 and had been1 his opinion1 that the ,lower ,canadians should have a fair proportion of members in the ,executive ,council1 and for that purpose he had no less than three times tendered his resignation2 that he was ready to go out1 and would do so at any moment4 ,hon4 ,r4 ,baldwin certainly occupies a proud position at present1 and may continue to do so1 if he is not too punctilious4 ,the arrangement1 which it is understood has been come to1 is that ,messrs4 ,ogden1 ,draper1 and ,sherwood go out1 and that ,mr4 ,l4 ,h4 ,lafontaine comes in as ,attorney ,east2 ,mr4 ,baldwin1 ,attorney-,general ,west2 ,mr4 ,t4 ,c4 ,aylwin1 ,solicitor-,general ,east2 ,mr4 ,james ,e4 ,small1 or some other ,liberal1 as the third man4 ,this will make a strong ,government1 for it can command a large majority in the ,house4 ,it is true that the gentleman you mentioned1 and a few others will be dead against it1 but they are a small minority1 and will form a wholesome check4 ,no man would regret more than ,i would to see the country thrown into confusion at this time4 ,i entertain a high opinion of the ,governor-,general 7,sir ,charles ,bagot47 ,he certainly has shown a disposition to do everything he consistently could to give satisfaction to the prominent party1 and being 7as he is7 of the ,tory school1 and appointed by a ,tory ministry1 he certainly is deserving of much credit for going as far as he did to meet the views of the ,reformers4 ,the following was the only record left by ,dr4 ,ryerson of his principalship of ,victoria ,college3--,at the end of two years' labours in the station of ,adelaide ,street ,church 7the predecessor of the present ,metropolitan ,church71 ,i was again wrested from my loved work by an official pressure brought to bear upon me to accept the ,presidency of ,victoria ,college1 which was raised from ,upper ,canada ,academy to a ,college1 and opened and inaugurated1 in #ahdb1 as a ,university ,college4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the #crd of ,august1 #ahdb1 the ,wesleyan ,university at ,middletown1 ,connecticut1 conferred on the ,principal of ,victoria ,college the degree of ,d4,d4 ,his old and valued friend ,francis ,hall1 ,esq41 proprietor of the ,new ,york ,commercial ,advertiser1 was the first to convey to him the pleasing intelligence4 ,he said3 ,perhaps this will be the first communication from ,middletown which announces to ,victoria ,college that its head is ,rev4 ,egerton ,ryerson1 ,d4,d4 ,may you long live to enjoy the distinguished title6 ,i hope to take you by the hand in a few days1 and congratulate you personally4 ,on the #bast of ,june1 #ahdb1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was1 with appropriate ceremonies1 formally installed as ,principal of ,victoria ,college4 ,the ,editor of this volume well remembers what a joyful day it was for the ,college2 and how heartily and kindly the new ,principal spoke words of encouragement to each of the students then present4 ,on that occasion he delivered a carefully prepared inaugural address1 which was afterwards published in pamphlet form and widely circulated4 ,on the #ajth ,september1 he sent a copy of the address to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper4 ,in his note ,dr4 ,ryerson called ,mr4 ,draper's attention to what he conceived to be the defective nature of the provisions for the education of law-students1 before their entrance on the study of the law 7pages #bd and #be of the address74 ,to this ,mr4 ,draper replied on the #afth4 ,he also added an explanation in regard to his present position in the ,government4 ,he said3-- ,i have perused your address with much satisfaction4 ,the ,law ,society of ,upper ,canada1 by appointing a well-qualified examiner last term1 will1 ,i think1 forward your views as to the education which should precede the study of that profession4 ,by the recent changes which have taken place1 ,i have no longer the right to visit ,victoria ,college officially2 but ,i hope that ,i may be favoured with an opportunity of doing so in my private capacity4 ,you will not1 ,i trust1 consider it intrusive in me to briefly state the cause of my retirement from the ,cabinet4 ,i have long considered the ,government in a false position1 while the ,french ,canadians saw in the ,council no person acquainted with their wants and wishes--able and willing to look after their interests1 and in whom they had confidence4 ,apprehending from what took place in the beginning of last session that they might refuse to take office with me1 ,i signified several months ago my readiness to retire if that were the case4 ,in ,july ,i renewed that offer4 ,and now1 when a negotiation was opened on1 it appeared that they would not come in without ,mr4 ,baldwin4 ,i again offered my resignation1 because1 taking the view ,i do of his conduct when we were last in ,council together1 ,i feel ,i should not be in that body if he were there also4 ,from that moment ,i ceased to advise or have anything to do with the matter4 ,had every other part of it been satisfactory to me1 or had it been altered so as to make it satisfactory1 nevertheless his being brought in inevitably put me out4 ,should you hear my conduct canvassed and misunderstood1 this explanation will1 ,i trust1 set it right4 ,to ,mr4 ,draper's letter ,dr4 ,ryerson replied1 and on the #gth ,october again wrote1 asking him to deliver an address to the students at the opening of the session4 ,in his letter ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,i deeply regret any occurrence which would deprive ,canada of the advantage of your official counsels4 ,i have observed your public conduct throughout1 and it has been such in my estimation1 as ,i have felt it a pleasurable duty to appreciate and defend1 even in the most doubtful and trying circumstances4 ,you now enjoy the proud distinction of advising and assisting1 on public grounds1 to form a government1 from which1 on personal grounds1 you have felt it your duty to retire4 ,you cannot suppose that ,i entertain a less exalted opinion of your disinterestedness and high sense of honour1 when the strong opinions ,i have again and again expressed of it1 have been more than realized by your present patriotic and noble course of proceeding4 ,in regard to the address which ,i have solicited you to deliver at the opening of the next session of our ,college1 ,i desire to state that you will of course make it long or short1 as you like1 although ,i should like it long4 ,it is my intention to get1 if possible1 some gentleman of high public standing and literary talent to deliver an address at the commencement of each collegiate year4 ,i think that such addresses will have a salutary influence upon the taste and feeling and ambition of the students2 and the notices and publication of them in the newspapers will tend to elevate the standard of the public taste1 and will1 ,i think1 be useful to public men themselves4 ,i shall be gratified1 and ,i am sure good will ensue1 from your appearing before the public in a somewhat new character4 ,to this letter ,mr4 ,draper replied1 on the #ajth ,october3-- ,i find that1 consistently with my professional engagements at the different assizes 7which are now of paramount importance to me71 ,i cannot prepare an address so as to do justice to your request4 ,if it involved only the attendance on the day1 ,i would cheerfully make some sacrifice to accomplish it2 but there is more1 for ,i would wish1 if ,i undertook the task1 to perform it well1 and try to approximate the favourable expectation of those who were willing to entrust it to me2 and for this end ,i cannot devote time enough out of the short interval between this and the latest day named by you4 ,accept my assurance that ,i feel great reluctance in declining your proposal4 ,the compliment it conveyed was highly gratifying to me under existing circumstances1 and ,i should have felt sincere pleasure in exciting my humble abilities in favour of an institution to which1 when ,i had fuller opportunities1 ,i had endeavoured to be of use 7page #agi74 ,accept my acknowledgements for the kindness and courtesy of your other remarks in reference to myself4 ,sir ,charles ,bagot did not long hold the office of ,governor-,general4 ,like ,lord ,sydenham1 he was unexpectedly stricken by the hand of death1 at ,kingston1 on the #aith ,may1 #ahdc4 ,a sketch of his life and character was prepared by ,dr4 ,ryerson and published in the ,kingston ,chronicle4 ,in that sketch he said3-- ,sir ,charles ,bagot has created throughout the length and breadth of ,united ,canada the settled and delightful conviction that its ,government is henceforth to be ,british1 as well as ,colonial--and1 as such1 the best on the continent of ,america2 that ,canadians are to be governed upon the principle of domestic1 and not transatlantic1 policy2 that they are not to be minified as men and citizens1 because they are colonists2 that they are 7to use the golden words of ,sir ,robert ,peel7 to be treated as an integral portion of the ,british ,empire4 ,this sketch was very favourably received by the leading public men of ,canada1 and1 after it appeared in the ,chronicle1 was reprinted by ,stewart ,derbyshire1 ,esq41 ,queen's ,printer1 who1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the subject1 said3-- ,your letter in the ,chronicle has attracted high admiration in the quarters most competent for criticism1 and it is felt you have done a real service to the country4 ,supposing your wish is to diffuse the sentiments of your letter1 ,i have taken the liberty of giving it to our printers of the ,canada ,gazette to set up in handsome type1 #h octavo pages1 and shall strike off #a1jjj1 and send about1 giving away a good many1 and putting the rest at book-stores at a very small price4 ,the common run of people do not value what they do not pay for4 ,have ,i acted in this in accordance with your wishes--or do you interdict the publication8 ,many extra copies of the ,chronicle were struck off1 and about forty copies sent to-day to ,england by the steamer ,great ,western4 ,sir ,robert ,peel1 ,lord ,stanley1 and ,sir ,charles ,buller had one each4 ,dr4 ,ryerson assented to the republication of his letter4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the light of after events1 the following extract from a letter received by ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,hon4 ,r4 ,b4 ,sullivan1 dated ,kingston1 #bast ,july1 #ahdc1 is somewhat interesting4 ,mr4 ,sullivan had placed one of his sons under ,dr4 ,ryerson's care at ,victoria ,college4 ,after referring to matters relating to the education of youth1 ,mr4 ,sullivan proceeded3--,i hope that our friendship will be a sufficient inducement to you to teach my boy that upon his own good conduct under ,providence his future happiness depends1 and to give him that steadfastness of mind which lads naturally want4 ,in asking these things of you1 ,i place myself under no common obligation4 ,there is no man in ,canada of whom ,i would ask the same4 ,my doing so of you arises from a respect and regard for you personally1 which has grown as we have been longer acquainted1 and which no prejudices on the part of those with whom ,i have mixed1 and no obloquy heaped upon you by others1 have ever shaken4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is pleasant to get a kind word from those who approve of one's course4 ,it is pleasanter to get it from those who have been indifferent1 or even hostile4 ,thus1 in a letter from ,rev4 ,matthew ,holtby to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 written in ,march1 #ahdb1 he said3 ,soon after ,i arrived here from ,england1 ,i became acquainted with you and your writings1 and ever since1 ,i have watched your course1 often with painful and prayerful anxiety4 ,it is long since ,i doubted the propriety of your public conduct1 or the justice of your cause2 but as ,i observed the storm gathering around you1 and the winds blowing into a hurricane1 from all the cardinal points at once1 ,i have had my fears1 that you might faint in the apparently unequal conflict4 ,thank ,god1 he has delivered you--he has enabled you to stand at the helm1 and to steer the ,old ,ship into smoother water4 ,but we may rest assured that our foes are not dead4 ,i only wish you may manifest as much nautical skill in a calm1 as you have in the long storm1 and ,i doubt not but all will be well4 ,,footnotes3 #aai ,this memorable prophecy as to the future of our educational system was evidently made by ,dr4 ,ryerson under the conviction that the verbal promise made to him by ,lord ,sydenham in #ahda1--that he should have the superintendence of that system--would have been carried out by his successor1 ,sir ,charles ,bagot4 ,there was no written promise1 however1 on the subject1 and he and his friends were greatly surprised at the singular appointment made in ,may1 #ahdb4 ,it was not until #ahdd that ,dr4 ,ryerson received the promised appointment--the reward 7as was then most unjustly alleged against him7 of services rendered to ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe in the crisis of that year4 7,see1 however1 chapter xliii4 on ,dr4 ,ryerson's appointment as ,superintendent of ,education47 #abj ,this correspondence illustrates one phase of the political history of the times4 ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 #ahdc4 ,episode in the ,case of ,hon4 ,marshall ,s4 ,bidwell4 ,as mentioned in ,chapter xxiv41 page #ahh1 an effort was made in #ahdc to induce ,hon4 ,m4 ,s4 ,bidwell to return to ,canada4 ,copies of the correspondence on the subject were enclosed to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 by the ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin1 in a letter dated ,kingston1 #eth ,june1 #ahdc1 as follows3-- ,i enclose you copies of letters which ,i am sure will afford you much pleasure4 ,at present this communication of them must be confidential1 as you will see by their date that they have not yet reached their object himself4 ,but after the warm interest you have taken in the cause of my friend1 at a time when any interference on my part would have been worse than useless1 ,i feel it due to you to make you early acquainted with what has taken place4 ,i have seen1 with much pleasure1 that you have carried out the intention you hinted to me when ,i last had the pleasure of seeing you at ,kingston4 ,your admirable letter must have had a good effect4 ,i see that some little popguns were let off at you on the occasion1 but they are too puny to excite anything but a smile at their imbecility4 ,i regret much my inability to have been present at your last annual examination1 but hope to be more fortunate another year4 ,the ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin's letter to ,mr4 ,bidwell1 enclosed to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,kingston1 #bnd ,june1 #ahdc1 was as follows3-- ,i have great pleasure in being able to transmit to you a copy of a note addressed by me to ,his ,excellency the ,governor-,general1 with a copy of that of ,mr4 ,secretary ,harrison1 conveying ,his ,excellency's reply1 which1 ,i am happy1 so distinctly removes every obstacle to your return to what has been in all essentials your native country2 and that without the descent on your part1 by even a single step1 from the high ground which you have always maintained in relation to your unjust expatriation4 ,i will at present only stop to assure you of the sentiments of unabated affection and respect with which you have ever continued to be regarded in this country1 during the whole period of your exile1 and to express my conviction of the satisfaction with which your return will be hailed by all your former friends1 and by many even of your former political opponents--in which satisfaction1 ,i trust1 ,i need scarcely add that no one will more sincerely participate than myself4 ,the following is a copy of ,mr4 ,baldwin's note to ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 the ,governor-,general1 dated #beth ,may3-- ,mr4 ,robert ,baldwin1 having been informed by ,mr4 ,secretary ,harrison that with reference to the case of ,mr4 ,bidwell1 which ,mr4 ,baldwin had the honour of bringing under the notice of the ,governor-,general shortly after his assumption of the ,government1 ,his ,excellency only requires a request to be made to him as a foundation for his directing that the pledge taken from that gentleman1 in his departure from ,upper ,canada1 should be cancelled1 and giving ,his ,excellency's sanction for the introduction into ,parliament of a ,bill to restore to ,mr4 ,bidwell the political rights of which his residence abroad1 under pressure of that pledge1 has deprived him1 ,mr4 ,baldwin respectfully begs leave to make that request4 ,the letter in reply1 of ,mr4 ,secretary ,harrison to ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin1 dated #bith ,may1 was as follows3-- ,i am commanded by the ,governor-,general to inform you1 in reply to your note of the #beth inst41 that ,his ,excellency considers it right that whatever pledge may have been given by ,mr4 ,bidwell on his departure from ,upper ,canada1 to preclude his return1 should be cancelled4 ,the letter of that gentleman to the then ,lieutenant-,governor1 ,sir ,francis ,bond ,head1 supposed to contain such a pledge1 is not to be found in the archives of the ,secretary's office4 ,i am1 therefore1 directed to say that the pledge is considered as cancelled1 and that the letter1 if ever found1 may be returned4 ,i am also further desired to acquaint you that in the event of ,mr4 ,bidwell's proposing to return1 ,his ,excellency will give his sanction to the introduction into ,parliament of a ,bill to restore to that gentleman the political rights of which his residence abroad1 under pressure of his pledge1 deprived him4 ,on the #adth ,august1 #ahdc1 ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin wrote the following letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson3-- ,i send you a copy of a letter from our friend1 ,mr4 ,bidwell1 in answer to my letters to him4 ,the original ,i have sent up to my father1 but had a copy made for you1 knowing the interest you have ever taken in his case4 ,hon4 ,m4 ,s4 ,bidwell's letter to ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin1 dated ,new ,york1 #cast ,july1 #ahdc1 was as follows3-- ,i hardly know how to commence my answer to your letter after so long a delay which has been unintentional and unexpected1 and in a great measure unavoidable4 ,i might1 indeed1 and ought to have written to you when ,i first received it1 but ,i then hoped it would be in my power to make you a short visit in compliance with your invitation4 ,on this point ,i was kept in suspense by the state of ,mrs4 ,bidwell's health1 and was besides very laboriously occupied with indispensable professional engagements4 ,with this frank explanation ,i throw myself upon your indulgence to pardon my delay4 ,never1 my dear friend1 for one moment have ,i doubted your kind and friendly feelings1 or your anxiety that ,i should be treated with justice and liberality by the ,government1 and ,i have never ceased to be gratified that ,i was honoured with the friendship of one whose wishes and talents have1 for many years1 commanded my respect4 ,amidst the dejection of spirits and perplexity of mind that ,i have suffered1 this consideration has afforded me great consolation4 ,your communication has now taken me by surprise4 ,you will add to your former obligations if you will make suitable acknowledgements for me to ,his ,excellency for the answer which1 by his directions1 ,mr4 ,secretary ,harrison returned to your letter4 ,all that ,i have learned of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe's character and measures has filled me with the highest respect1 and with a confidence that ,canada will be governed by him with wisdom1 justice1 and liberality4 ,loving that country1 this confidence has been a source of great joy to me4 ,let me add that1 in my judgment1 ,sir ,robert ,peel in all his measures1 since his last appointment has shown a wise moderation and conciliatory spirit1 and an anxious desire for the true welfare of the vast ,empire beneath the sway of ,her ,majesty's sceptre4 ,i would gladly make you a visit at once if ,i could1 but ,i should feel great pleasure to see you here4 ,i shall do with great pleasure what ,i can to make the visit agreeable to you4 ,i have heard with concern of the feeble health of your venerable father4 ,i cannot tell you with what deep interest and great respect ,i think of him4 ,he has been the consistent friend of constitutional liberty through evil report as well as good report4 ,amidst perfidy and violence1 folly and bigotry and intolerance1 he has presented a rare and happy example1 which ,i admire1 of an enlightened and cultivated mind supporting the great principles of the ,british ,constitution with discriminating zeal1 constancy of purpose1 and moderation of temper4 ,i beg that you will do me the favour when you write to him to present my most affectionate and respectful regards4 ,i perceive that ,mr4 ,secretary ,harrison alludes to the possibility of my returning to ,canada4 ,i cannot fail to feel1 as long as ,i live1 a deep interest in that country1 and the most ardent wishes for its prosperity4 ,but ,i have formed no plans for a change of residence4 ,a constant attention to my business1 which is necessary for the support of my family1 has left me no time to form plans4 ,with a gratified sense of your kindness and with great regard and affection1 your friend1 ,marshall ,s4 ,bidwell4 ,to this letter from ,mr4 ,bidwell1 ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin replied on the #abth ,august1 as follows3-- ,i have1 believe me1 great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter1 as well on account of its relieving me1 to a certain extent at least1 from apprehensions that ,mrs4 ,bidwell's health was the cause of your silence4 ,i cannot1 however1 conceal my disappointment at the last paragraph of your letter1 in which1 though you do not altogether shut out the hope of our having you again amongst us4444 ,the obligations in regard to ,mrs4 ,bidwell's health which you wrote 7as precluding such consideration for the present7 are1 however1 too sacred for even friendship to venture upon more than a repetition of those assurances1 which my former letter contained1 of the feelings of affection entertained towards you in this country1 and the satisfaction which your return would afford4 ,i1 however1 find it impossible to do otherwise than indulge in the pleasing anticipation of again seeing you amongst us1 not as a mere visitor1 but as once more a ,canadian1 in fact as well as in feeling4 ,we have not1 and certainly for the generation to which we belong1 shall not1 have any subjects of equal importance1 in a pecuniary point of view1 to those which seek the aid1 and reward the exertion1 of your professional talents where you are4 ,it seems1 therefore1 to partake somewhat of selfishness to wish to withdraw you from an arena worthy of your great talents1 to appropriate those talents to a sphere so much more limited4 ,be that as it may1 ,i will indulge the hope1 so long as you do not forbid it4 ,in the meantime1 could you not take a leave of absence for a few weeks during the coming ,autumn ,assizes1 and amuse yourself with holding some briefs on some of them here8 ,we have now five ,circuits--the ,eastern1 ,midland1 ,home1 ,niagara1 and ,western4 ,mr4 ,justice ,jones takes the ,eastern1 ,mr4 ,justice ,mc,lean the ,midland1 the ,chief ,justice the ,niagara1 and ,mr4 ,justice ,hagerman the ,western4 ,nothing would give me more pleasure than to see you thus renew your relations with our bar2 even if you should not do so with a view to a final return to it4 ,let me know soon1 in a post or two1 if possible1 as well as the circuit you mean to go on4444 ,now as ,i have gone on with this scheme1 ,i find myself grow warm on it1 so do not throw cold water upon it by a negative4 ,if ,i could do so with any propriety1 ,i would avail myself of your kind invitation to visit you at ,new ,york for the purpose1 not only of seeing you1 but of urging this my suit in person4 ,but ,i assure you it is out of my power to do so4 ,parliament is called for #bnd ,september1 and ,i shall not have a moment's leisure from this time till the ,session is over4 ,you must recollect that1 as a ,parliament man1 ,i am comparatively but a young hand1 and ,i have to try and make up for want of experience by hard work2 though ,i find it by no means a sufficient substitute4 ,i complied in substance with your request to make your acknowledgements to ,his ,excellency for the answer1 which by his direction1 ,mr4 ,secretary ,harrison returned to my letter2 but lest ,i should do so less appropriately than ,i ought1 ,i took the liberty of letting you speak for yourself1 by showing ,his ,excellency your letter4 ,your opinions of the ,governor-,general and of ,sir ,robert ,peel entirely agree with my own4 ,but ,i regret to say that some of our friends1 and of our firm friends too1 seem to me to forget what has been accomplished because everything is not done at once1 or1 because some things are done not exactly as they would have them4 ,this impatience is much to be regretted4 ,if ,i were one whom it was necessary to keep up to the mark1 as it may be called1 it might be excusable1 but they do not even profess to think that to be the case as respects the points in question4 ,their display of dissatisfaction1 therefore1 has only the effect of lessening the weight of the party in ,upper ,canada in the eyes of both the ,head of the government here and the ,imperial authorities at home4 ,but ,i did not mean to make this a letter of complaint2 but the fact is1 ,i am just now smarting under an ebullition of violence on the part of our friends in ,toronto1 on the subject of ,mr4 ,stanton's appointment to the ,collectorship there1 which almost involuntarily led me into these remarks4 ,you will1 ,i hope1 excuse me4 ,my dear father1 ,i am happy to say1 appears by his last letters to be rather better4 ,i fear much1 however1 that the improvement cannot be considered of a permanent character4 ,as the ,governor-,general kept your letter till yesterday1 ,i was only able to send it up to him to-day4 ,it will1 ,i am sure1 afford him much gratification4 ,i hope you will excuse the length of this epistle1 and rebuke me by the shortness of your reply1 which need contain no more than six words1 to wit3 ,i will ride the circuit4 ,i believe ride is the professional term2 at least used to be so1 though it may belong to the era of ,mr4 ,justice ,twisden1 if not a still more remote one1 rather than at present4444 ,you see how inclined ,i am to run on1 so that lest ,i should transgress beyond endurance1 ,i will conclude at once1 with the assurance of my warm and continued regard4 ,ever your affectionate friend1 ,r4 ,b4 ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 #ahdd4 ,events ,preceding the ,defence of ,lord ,metcalfe4 ,the defence of ,lord ,metcalfe1 the ,governor-,general of ,canada1 who succeeded ,sir ,charles ,bagot in #ahdc1 was unquestionably the most memorable act of ,dr4 ,ryerson's long and eventful life4 ,his previous training for twenty years in the school of controversy in relation to civil and religious rights2 his personal intercourse with leading statesmen in ,england on ,canadian affairs2 his contests for denominational equality with successive ,governors in ,upper ,canada1 and his counsels and suggestions1 7offered at their request71 to such notable representatives of ,royalty in ,canada as ,lord ,durham1 ,lord ,sydenham1 ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 and ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 put it beyond the power of even the most captious to question the pre-eminent qualifications of ,dr4 ,ryerson to discuss1 in a practical and intelligent manner1 the then unsettled question of responsible government as against the prerogative--a question which had arisen between ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe and his late ,councillors4 ,in the chapter which ,dr4 ,ryerson had prepared for this part of the ,story of his ,life1 he thus refers to his intercourse with1 and relations to1 the distinguished ,governors whom ,i have mentioned4 ,he said3-- ,in #ahci a ,royal ,commission was issued to ,lord ,durham to investigate the affairs of ,canada1 and report thereon to ,her ,majesty4 ,while engaged in his important duty he sent for and conferred with me repeatedly1 and treated me with such consideration1 as that on leaving him he would accompany me to the door and open it for me1 shaking hands with me most cordially4 ,after his return to ,england he sent me a copy of his famous ,report 7addressed by himself7 before it was laid on the table of the ,house of ,lords4 ,on receiving in advance this report of ,lord ,durham ,i published in the ,guardian1 with appropriate headings1 extracts from that part of it which related to the establishment of responsible government and its administration in ,canada1 and then lent the extracts and the type on which they were printed to ,mr4 7afterwards ,sir7 ,francis ,hincks for insertion in the ,examiner newspaper1 of which he was at that time proprietor and ,editor4 ,i afterwards aided ,lord ,sydenham in every way in my power to allay the party passions and animosities of the past1 and to establish responsible government upon liberal principles1 irrespective of past party distinctions1 comprehending ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper and ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin in the same administration--a union or coalition which did not long survive the life of ,lord ,sydenham--,mr4 ,baldwin declaring his want of confidence in ,mr4 ,draper1 and retiring from the government4 ,soon afterwards1 ,mr4 ,baldwin and his friends succeeded to power under ,sir ,charles ,bagot4 ,this was the state of things until #ahdc1 when ,sir ,charles ,bagot died1 and ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe was appointed to succeed him4 ,i had the melancholy pleasure of offering a tribute 7in the form of an obituary notice7 to the character and administration of both ,lord ,sydenham and ,sir ,charles ,bagot--papers much noticed and widely circulated at the time as the best specimens of any writing which had ever appeared2 but ,i had a genial theme and good subjects in both cases4 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe was popular with all parties at first3 but after a few months a difference arose between him and his ,councillors as to the appointment of the ,clerk of the ,peace of the ,county of ,lanark1 and then on the principle of appointments to office2 or in other words1 the exercise of the patronage of the ,crown4 ,to understand the character of this famous and much misrepresented controversy1 and how ,i became involved in it1 some preliminary and explanatory remarks are necessary3-- ,it is to be observed in the first place1 that one chief subject of complaint by ,reformers for many years--nay from the beginning--was the partial exercise of the patronage of the ,crown1 appointing magistrates1 officers of militia1 judges1 etc41 from men of one party only1 in whose behalf every kind of executive favour was bestowed for years4 ,this was the purport of their complaints in the various petitions and addresses of ,reformers to the ,earl of ,durham1 ,lord ,sydenham1 ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 etc41 who necessarily promised that the ,governments should henceforth be conducted upon the principles of justice1 according to the well understood wishes of the people1 of whom ,reformers claimed to contribute a large majority1 and even of the liberal ,conservative members of the ,church of ,england4 ,but singular to say1 on the occurrence of the first vacancy1 the ,reform government urged upon ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe the appointment of one of their own party1 irrespective of the superior claims1 as the ,governor conceived 7on the ground of service1 experience and fitness71 of a deserving widow and her orphan son4 ,the circumstances were as follows3-- ,amongst the early gentlemen immigrants in the ,county of ,lanark was a ,mr4 ,powell1 a man of wealth and education2 but in attempting to clear and cultivate a farm in a new country1 he soon expended his means and became reduced in circumstances4 ,he was appointed ,clerk of the ,peace1 and discharged its duties for many years1 when he sickened and died4 ,during the two years' sickness which preceded his death1 the duties of office were discharged satisfactorily by his son1 who was then about twenty or twenty-one years of age4 ,on the death of her husband1 the ,widow ,powell proceeded to ,kingston to plead in person before ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe for the appointment of her son to the office vacated by the death of her husband1 and as the only means of supporting herself and family4 ,one can easily conceive the effect of such an appeal upon ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe's benevolent feelings4 ,he declined the advice of his ,councillors for a party appointment1 and determined to appoint the widow's son to the office rendered vacant by the death of her husband1 and one which he had successfully discharged for nearly two years4 ,the ,council1 instead of resigning on the fact of the appointment1 sought to obtain from ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe a promise that he would henceforth act upon their advice4 ,he said he would always receive and consider their advice1 but would give no promise on the part of the ,crown as to how far he would pledge the prerogative in advance and act upon that advice4 ,on this the ,councillors resigned1 charging ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe with violating the principles of responsible government4 ,this he positively denied4 ,the circumstances of the case were so mystified by the statements made1 that general prejudice was excited against ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 and the ,councillors seemed for the time to have the country at their backs4#aba ,i was at that time ,president of ,victoria ,college2 and the late ,hon4 ,wm4 ,hamilton ,merritt1 returning from ,kingston at the sudden close of the ,session of ,parliament held there1 stopped the stage in front of the ,college1 called to see me1 and asked me what ,i thought of the occurrences between the ,governor-,general and his ,councillors4 ,i told him that1 from what ,i had heard1 my sympathies were with the ,councillors4 ,he answered that ,i was mistaken2 that the ,councillors were clearly in the wrong2 that they had made a great mistake1 and were endangering principles of government for which he had so long contended4 ,he then stated the particulars of what had transpired1 and referred me1 in confirmation of his statement1 to the documents and correspondence which would all be printed in a few days4 ,i replied1 that if what he 7,mr4 ,merritt7 stated was correct1 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe was an injured man1 and that the new system of responsible government was likely to be applied in a way contrary to what had always been professed by its advocates4 ,mr4 ,merritt requested me to examine for myself the documents and correspondence to which he had referred1 but enjoining secresy as to his conversation with me--and which ,i never mentioned to any human being during his life4 ,after ,mr4 ,merritt returned to ,st4 ,catharines he wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson early in ,january1 #ahdd on the subject1 as follows3-- ,there can be little doubt that both the ,governor and his late administration have erred4 ,a conciliatory spirit would have avoided this crisis2 they had an opportunity of placing this ,province in a most enviable situation--they have neglected1 or did not possess the ability to avail themselves of it2 and ,i am sorry to say1 that ,i am neither satisfied with their measures1 nor can ,i place confidence in their judgment4 ,at the same time ,i feel so thoroughly convinced of the necessity of having under the control of our ,legislature the entire management of our internal concerns--without which any attempt at a thorough reformation would be useless--that ,i have my apprehensions1 that any movement which would have a tendency to check its onward progress1 would be injurious--the principle does not appear to be fully understood1 or fully conceded4 ,the time has not arrived--nevertheless ,i feel satisfied the ,governor-,general would admit it1 and act fully up to it with any ,cabinet which possessed his confidence1 and thus bring it into action much earlier than persisting in the opposite course4 ,on the other hand1 you are subject to the imputation of abandoning men who resigned for the maintenance of that principle1 and few can doubt the honesty of purpose of ,lafontaine and ,baldwin4 ,being thus placed on the horns of a dilemma1 the wisest plan is1 perhaps1 to let matters take their course--at all events ,i have made up my mind to do so4 ,i should be most happy to hear from you on the subject1 knowing you have given those subjects much attention2 and believing that your mind is devoted to promoting the best interests of your fellow countrymen1 your opinions are received with attention1 and always carry great weight with me4 ,to this letter from ,mr4 ,merritt1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied on the #bjth ,january1 #ahdd1 as follows3-- ,after you called upon me1 ,i turned my attention to the state of our public affairs1 and reflected on them from various points of view4 ,i concluded to state my views to ,his ,excellency1 if he requested me to do so1 and also to ,hon4 ,s4 ,b4 ,harrison1 if ,i should see him4 ,dr4 ,ryerson having gone to ,kingston at the request of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 saw ,mr4 ,harrison1 who urged him to state his views fully to the ,governor-,general4 ,in the same letter to ,mr4 ,merritt1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,the next day1 in compliance with ,his ,excellency's expressed wish1 ,i laid before him the result of my reflections on the present state of our affairs1 in an interview of three hours and a half4 ,in them ,his ,excellency expressed his full concurrence1 and thanked me cordially for the trouble ,i had taken to wait upon him and state at large what he considered of so much importance4 ,in addition to the question at issue between ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe and his late ,councillors1 ,dr4 ,ryerson discussed with him the subject of the reconstruction of his ,cabinet4 ,the result he thus states in his letter to ,mr4 ,merritt3--,i cannot of course enter into every one of the subjects to which ,i referred in my conversation with the ,governor-,general4 ,mr4 ,harrison has doubtless written to you on the whole matter4 ,the result was that ,mr4 ,harrison will take office if you will4#abb ,as to your superior qualifications for the position offered you1 there can be but one opinion in the country4 ,i am satisfied that1 without the slightest sacrifice of principle or consistency--upon the broadest principles of responsible government1 and in harmony with the best interests of the country--you can accept of office4 ,i think that when the views ,i have expressed to ,his ,excellency are fairly and fully stated to the country1 you would1 in office1 have a large majority of at least the ,upper ,canada members of the present ,house of ,assembly to support you2 and1 in case of a general election1 ,i doubt not but you would have an ample majority in the new ,parliament4 ,should you consent to take office1 ,i think you need not fear the result4 ,i think there is a fair opportunity for you to render a great service to the country1 and to establish still more widely and permanently an already honourable reputation of no common order4 ,i shall be glad1 at your earliest convenience1 to learn the result of your deliberations4 ,i should also be happy to see you1 if you should soon proceed to ,kingston4 ,whatever the ,governor-,general may have heretofore thought of either the theory or practice of responsible government1 he is certainly right on the subject now4 ,and when ,his ,excellency avows what ,sir ,f4 ,head denied1 and offers everything that has been demanded1 surely1 as far as principles of government are concerned1 the country wants1 and ought to have1 no more4 ,i think it will be a fearful calamity to the country1 if we drive ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe away from us4 ,i doubt whether ,england can produce his like for ,canada4 ,to this letter ,mr4 ,merritt replied1 on the #beth ,january3-- ,i regret to say that my own private affairs1 arising from circumstances which have occurred since ,i saw you1 prevent my assuming any situation under the ,government which must necessarily occupy my undivided attention4 ,i have heard from and replied to ,mr4 ,harrison to the same effect4 ,no person can more regret the unfortunate position in which we are placed than ,i do1 and ,i agree with you that the loss of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe will be a public calamity4 ,i have no doubt he will honestly carry out the principles of responsible government1 and with a competent council1 who understand what the country requires1 and with competent individuals to carry those measures into effect1 he would render more essential service to ,canada than any former ,governor whatever4 ,i am under some apprehension that you mistake the feelings of the majority of ,upper ,canada members4 ,a mere majority would ensure defeat2 they must act in a body to give a majority in the present ,house2 and from recent indications1 there appears to be a change in the minds of those who were under very different impressions some time since4 ,although ,i was under a different impression some time since1 ,i cannot see any chances of a new ministry being sustained1 unless by a dissolution4 #a4 ,a majority seems indispensable to secure which the ,reformers of ,upper ,canada must unite--and every ,conservative must support them also2--the first cannot be relied on1 therefore it is unnecessary to discuss the second4 ,most of the present members will feel themselves committed by their recent vote2 they will all be pressing for a new election2 and shape their course to the prevailing opinions4 ,no ministry can have time to bring their measures before the public to produce any general impression2 and no ministry can have confidence in the ultimate success of the wisest measures4 ,in short1 they will have no chance to exercise their ability1 with a view of commanding success4 ,whereas1 were a new election to take place 7on the declaration by the ,governor-,general1 that from the difficulty he experienced in making up a ministry which would command a majority of the present ,house1 in conformity to the principles he avowed71 the ,governor-,general could appeal to the people to return a representation from which he could select a ,council possessing their confidence4 ,such an appeal would not be inconsistent with his former declarations1 which must have been predicated on his obtaining a ,council which would command a majority4 ,under such circumstances members would feel very naturally a much greater anxiety in sustaining any ministry with a chance of four years to test their measures1 than as many days1 as in the present instance4 ,as far as ,i am individually concerned1 even in that case1 ,i could not accept of office unless ,i succeeded in arranging my own personal concerns1 which ,i hope to effect during the season4 ,i hear that in this district a strong feeling prevails in favour of the late ministry1 who resigned1 as they believe1 to support the principle of responsible government2 and they cannot understand that the ,governor-,general adheres to the same4 ,this impression is natural2 and it takes a long time to remove error4 ,no man doubts the motives of ,mr4 ,baldwin2 none other of the administration is named1 or possesses the least weight4 ,i have not moved about or corresponded with a single member of the ,house1 and ,i shall remain as passive as possible4 ,i fully agree with you1 that with the present ,governor-,general a fair opportunity offers to carry out useful projects2 nay more1 ,i am sure that one half of the present revenue now wasted1 could be saved 7not less than #ajj1jjj7 for useful objects2 but ,i cannot at present assist in carrying it into effect1 which you cannot regret more than ,i do4 ,in a note received from ,mr4 ,civil ,secretary ,higginson1 dated #ajth ,april1 he gave ,dr4 ,ryerson the reasons for the unexpected delay in the formation of a new ,cabinet4 ,hon4 ,s4 ,b4 ,harrison had also written to him on the same subject1 so far as he and the other proposed ,upper ,canada members were concerned4 ,mr4 ,higginson said3-- ,the formation of a permanent ,council has been most vexatiously1 but unavoidably1 delayed1 owing to the extraordinary timidity--,i can call it by no more appropriate name--of our friends in ,lower ,canada--the most eligible of whom have hitherto shrunk from the responsibility they would incur by the acceptance of office4 ,hon4 ,d4 ,b4 ,viger1 who is still in ,montreal1 and who ought from long experience1 to have a good knowledge of his countrymen1 expresses himself confident of the result1 and is of opinion that the delay1 of which we complain1 produces good and strengthens ,his ,excellency's position4 ,it is very evident that it has a different effect in the ,west2 and it is to be hoped that as soon as the ,montreal election is over 7of which1 barring violence1 ,mr4 ,molson is certain7 immediate steps will be taken to fill up the offices now vacant4 ,in reply to ,mr4 ,higginson's note1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,i do not think that much evil arises at the present time1 even in ,canada ,west1 from delay4 ,could the vacancies be filled up two or three months ago1 the government would have secured the support of thousands who have since swelled the ranks of the ex-,councillors4 ,but the loss by delay was1 ,i think1 incurred to its full extent during the months of ,january1 ,february1 and ,march4 ,the proceedings of the late meeting of the ,leaguers in ,toronto have doubtless added something to their strength4 ,but some portions of these very proceedings will meet them in a way they little expect--not1 to be sure1 before a jury of twelve men1 as did the nine months' proceeding of ,o',connell and his associates1 but before the jury of the whole country1 and upon principles sanctioned by the ,constitution and history of ,england1 which1 ,i believe more confidently than when ,i wrote last1 will result in a triumphant acquittal and justification of the ,vice-,regal defendant4 ,on the #bcrd ,may1 ,mr4 ,civil ,secretary ,higginson wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 as follows3-- ,you will be sorry to hear that ,hon4 ,mr4 ,harrison has failed to make certain private arrangements which he so much hoped for1 and that he has declined to take office4 ,he is1 therefore1 unable to join the ,cabinet4 ,,footnotes3 #aba ,as an indication of outside opinion on this question1 ,i insert the following note1 written by ,rev4 ,anson ,green1 on the #cast ,december1 #ahdc1 to ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,mr4 ,green said3 ,i cannot see why the ,executive ,council should resign at the present time1 for they stated in the ,house that both ,mr4 ,stanton1 ,collector at ,toronto1 and the ,speaker of the ,legislative ,council were appointed by their advice4 ,i think they should have waited until ,his ,excellency refused to ask or take their advice1 and not force him to make pledges4 ,in my opinion both parties have acted indiscreetly4 ,i have reason to believe that a majority of the ,reformers from ,upper ,canada1 in ,parliament1 would be happy to support ,hon ,s4 ,b4 ,harrison1 if he could form a ministry from the majority on the question at issue4 #abb ,in regard to this proposal1 ,mr4 ,harrison wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the #agth of ,january1 to say that he had an interview with the ,governor-,general1 and that3 ,his ,excellency expressed himself favourably disposed upon all the points touched upon1 and was willing to consider the means of carrying out the objects contemplated4 ,it appears1 therefore1 to me1 that the matter may be arranged if our friend ,merritt can be persuaded to join4 ,i have written to him in that view4 ,should that be the case1 ,i am prepared1 and a communication should be made to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper1 which ,i will make immediately upon hearing from you and ,mr4 ,merritt4 ,as ,mr4 ,draper will be here by the latter end of this week1 it would be better1 on hearing from ,mr4 ,merritt1 that you should be here yourself4 ,,chapter ,,xl4 #ahdd4 ,preliminary ,correspondence on the ,metcalfe ,crisis4 ,with a view to a thorough understanding of the question at issue between ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe and his ,councillors1 the following statement by ,dr4 ,ryerson is necessary3-- ,after the conversation with ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,merritt1 in ,january1 #ahdd1 and after subsequent communications with him on the subject1 ,i most carefully and minutely examined the documents and correspondence and other statements of parties1 and was satisfied of the correctness of ,mr4 ,merritt's statements and conclusion4 ,the question then arose in my own mind1 whether1 after ,i had so much to do in the establishment of responsible government and was morally so largely responsible for it1 ,i should silently witness its misapplication1 and see a man stricken down for maintaining1 as the representative of his ,sovereign1 what ,reformers had maintained in all previous years--that the patronage of the ,crown1 like the administration of justice1 should be administered impartially according to merit1 without respect to religious sect1 or political party4 ,dr4 ,ryerson also states 7#bfth ,february7 that3--,after a prolonged and interesting interview with the ,governor-,general1 ,i addressed a letter to him on the subject of that interview4 ,in it ,i said3 ,in looking over what ,i have from time to time1 during the last eight years1 written on the best government for ,canada1 ,i find that ,i have invariably insisted upon precisely the same views which ,i expressed to your ,excellency1 and with a frequency and fulness that ,i had no recollection of when ,i was honoured with the late interviews by you4 ,these views were then warmly responded to by that portion of the public for whom ,i wrote4 ,i am1 therefore1 the more fully 7if possible7 convinced of their correctness and importance to the best interests of ,canada1 and that they will be sustained when properly brought before the public--at least in ,western ,canada4 ,in reply to a note from ,mr4 ,civil ,secretary ,higginson1 dated #bnd ,march1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 on the #gth1 addressed a reply of some length to ,his ,excellency4 ,in it he said3-- ,the aspect of things in ,western ,canada has clearly changed for the worse during the last two months--since my first interview with ,your ,excellency in ,january4 ,the party of the opposition have become organized--organized under circumstances more formidable than ,i have ever witnessed in ,canada4 ,their ranks and influence have been increased by numbers who1 two months since1 were neutral1 and who could have been forthwith brought to the side of constitutional government4 ,private letters to me 7on which ,i can rely7 speak in a very different tone as to the state of public sentiment and feeling4 ,unless a change to a very considerable extent be affected in the public mind1 ,i think a dissolution would rather strengthen than weaken the ex-,council party4 ,i am confident ,i do not overrate their strength--and it is a dangerous1 though common error1 to underrate the strength of an adversary4 ,they are likewise organizing their party1 and exciting the public mind to such a degree as to prevent any sentiments or measures from the present administration from being regarded or entertained at all4 ,such being the case1 ,i have felt that delay has been loss4 ,whether that loss can be repaired presents to my own mind a problem difficult of solution4 ,speaking of his former relations with the ,lieutenant-,governors of ,upper ,canada1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,i love liberty1 personal and public1 as much as any man4 ,i have written much in its defence2 but as much as ,i love liberty1 and as ultra liberal as some may have supposed me to be1 ,i have always regarded an infringement of the prerogative of the ,crown as a blow at the liberty of the subject1 and have1 in every instance1 resisted and repelled it as such4 ,i did so in support of ,sir ,f4 ,head in #ahcf4 ,i did so in support of ,sir ,george ,arthur1 in the difficult and painful task of administering the criminal law after the insurrection of #ahcg4 ,i did so in support of the ,royal instructions and recommendations of which ,lord ,sydenham was the bearer and agent2 but in each instance1 after having been lauded without measure1 ,i was abandoned1 or pursued1 without protection or mercy4 ,sir ,francis ,head took offence at certain communications which ,rev4 ,dr4 ,alder and ,rev4 ,peter ,jones justly made to the ,imperial ,government respecting his treatment of the ,indians1 and swore that1 as he had put down the radicals1 he would now put down the ,methodists2 and the ,bishop of ,toronto avowed and rejoiced that1 radicalism having been extinguished1 the ,church would and should be maintained inviolate in all its 7assumed7 rights and immunities4 ,sir ,george ,arthur having got through his many difficulties 7in the course of which he gave me many thanks7 determined1 when the ,session of the ,legislature came1 not to split with the ,bishop of ,toronto2 not to grant1 under any circumstances1 the ,methodists more than a mouse's share of public aid1 and none at all except as salaries for their clergy1 actually employed4 ,he embodied these views in resolutions1 and employed ,hon4 ,r4 ,b4 ,sullivan to advocate them in the ,legislative ,council4 ,it was with extreme reluctance that ,i could at all assent to the measure of ,union of the ,canadas4 ,the agents of the ,london ,wesleyan ,committee vehemently opposed it1 and wished me to write against it4 ,i wished to remain neutral4 ,lord ,sydenham most earnestly solicited my aid--promised a just measure on the clergy reserve question1 and assured me against any hostility of the agents of the ,london ,committee1 of all the protection and assistance that the ,government could give4 ,he died1--and ,i have been left1 without the slightest assistance or protection on the part of the ,government1 to meet alone the hostile proceedings and influence of the ,london ,wesleyan ,committee4 ,in order to sustain myself in these reverses1 and especially in the last1 but most painful one1 ,i have been compelled to put forth physical and intellectual efforts that ,i am absolutely incapable of repeating4 ,i have adverted--even at the expense of being tedious and egotistic--to these unpleasant details1 that ,your ,excellency may fully understand and appreciate my present position1 and my caution in embarking in another conflict without a reasonable hope that ,i will not be made a victim of abandonment and of oppression1 after ,i have employed the utmost of my humble efforts in support of the principles of the constitution and prerogatives of the ,crown4 ,in the present crisis1 the ,government must of course be first placed upon a strong foundation1 and then must the youthful mind of ,canada be instructed and moulded in the way ,i have had the honour of stating to ,your ,excellency1 if this country is long to remain an appendage to the ,british ,crown4 ,the former1 without the latter1 will only be a partial and temporary remedy4 ,anything like a tolerable defence of ,your ,excellency's position--anything approaching to an effective exposure of the proceedings of the late ,council in their demands1 the grounds of their resignation1 their explanation1 their tribunal of appeal1 their variations of position1 the principles and consequences involved in each step of their course1 and the spirit and doctrines they now exhibit1 appears to me to be a desideratum4 ,they could be convicted out of their own mouths on every count of the charges they have brought against the ,governor-,general1 and from the same source might evidence be adduced that they advocate sentiments and sanction proceedings which are unknown to the ,british ,constitution1 and which appertain only to an independent state4 ,yet1 in place of exposition1 and arguments and illustrations that would tell upon the public mind1 we have nothing but puerile effusions1 thread-bare assertions1 and party criminations--nothing that would convince adversaries and make friends of enemies4 ,your ,excellency's replies1 and a few passages in the ,montreal ,gazette1 and in a pamphlet which lately appeared in the ,kingston ,chronicle1 are all that ,i have seen which are calculated to produce practical effect upon the public mind4 ,hon4 ,d4 ,b4 ,viger's pamphlet is too limited in its range of topics1 and too speculative and refined to be effective upon any other than well-educated statesmen4 ,the desideratum required ,i would attempt to supply1 and then devise measures1 put forth publications1 and employ efforts to direct the public mind into new channels of thinking1 and furnish the youthful mind with instruction and materials for reading that would render this country ,british in domestic feeling1 as ,i think it now is intentionally in loyalty4 ,to do anything effectual toward the accomplishment of such a task1 my position should be made as strong as possible4 ,at best my qualifications for a work so difficult and varied are extremely limited1 but more especially under present circumstances4 ,after weighing the matter carefully1 and pondering 7in comparing small things with great7 upon the part which ,bishop ,burnet took in settling the disordered elements of ,british intellect after the revolution of #afhh1 ,i have resolved to do as he did--place my humble services at the disposal of my ,sovereign--and in whatever situation ,your ,excellency is of opinion ,i can render most service to the government and the country under existing circumstances4 ,i will hazard the enterprise1 and stand or fall with the ,governor-,general in the present crisis1 notwithstanding the increased cloudiness of our political atmosphere4 ,i would rather aid as a private individual1 and as an independent volunteer in the service of the ,crown and country--as ,i have been on former occasions--than be placed in any official situation4 ,to this letter ,dr4 ,ryerson received the following reply from ,mr4 ,secretary ,higginson1 dated #abth ,march3--,i am directed to convey to you the expression of the ,governor-,general's cordial thanks for the public spirited offer of your able and valuable services in the present crisis of public affairs2 an offer which ,his ,excellency accepts with a high degree of satisfaction1 feeling confident that you will bring most efficient aid to the ,government4 ,on ,march #ahth ,dr4 ,ryerson replied to this note from ,mr4 ,higginson4 ,he said3--,i think there will be but little difficulty in disentangling the question from the perplexing confusion in which it has been involved1 and placing it upon the true issue as to a government of party1 or of justice4 ,if1 in elucidating and applying it1 ,i can incorporate some of ,lord ,brougham's fulminations on the evil of party with my own conceptions1 ,i may be able to add the occasional discharge of a cannon1 or the bursting of a bombshell1 to the running fire of ordinary musketry4 ,though ,i am no stranger to contests1 ,i cannot divest myself of palpitations at the approach of an engagement4 ,when once the fire has commenced1 ,i feel but little concern except to keep cool and good-natured1 and to have an ample supply of ammunition for all exigencies--satisfied of the righteousness of the cause and the government of an over-ruling ,providence4 ,in ,february the ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the ,metcalfe crisis1 and said3-- ,while ,i believe that the late ,executive ,council1 in the main1 and in principle1 was right1 and ,sir ,charles wrong1 yet ,i am very far from endorsing all that the ,council did as right4 ,i think that they should not have resigned when they did4 ,i think they were guilty of a breach of trust in throwing up office in the midst of a session of ,parliament1 and when many important measures were pending4 ,i think1 as the antagonism which caused the resignation of the late ,council existed before the ,parliament was convened1 that they should then have resigned1 or remained in office until the prorogation4444 ,you are not to suppose from these remarks that ,i have turned politician1 or that ,i am intermeddling with things which do not belong to me4 ,i have been endeavouring to attend to my appropriate work2 and though continually pressed with questions1 soliciting my opinions respecting passing events1 ,i have said as little on all these matters as possible1 and ,i am identified with no party4 ,indeed1 the state of my health is such as to admonish me to think about other things than worldly politics1 and ,i blush to think that ,i have written so much respecting them4 ,powerfully convincing reasoning1 with truth on your side1 might produce a great effect among our people2 but at the present more than nine-tenths of them1 in these western parts1 are the supporters of the late ,executive ,council4 ,in reply to a letter from his brother ,john1 asking his opinion on the pending dispute between ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe and his late ,councillors1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote on ,april #crd1 and said3-- ,of the general measures of the late ,council ,i cordially approve4 ,i cannot say so of their dispute with the ,governor-,general4 ,of the policy which he or they had pursued1 ,i have nothing to say4 ,in that they might have been right1 and he wrong4 ,but1 according to ,british practice1 they ought to have resigned on what he had done1 and not on what he would not promise to do4 ,if the ,crown intended to do just as they desired the ,governor-,general to do1 still the promise ought not to be given1 nor ought it to have been asked4 ,the moment a man promises to do a thing he ceases to be as free as he was before he made the promise4 ,it is essential principle that in the ,british ,constitution that the ,crown should be free--should be undefined in its prerogative4 ,the exercise in that prerogative may be checked in various ways2 but to bind it by promises is to infringe its constitutional liberty4 ,if the ,queen were to bind herself by promise1 or declaration1 that she would not appoint any person contrary to ,sir ,robert ,peel's advice1 how could she refuse to make ,o',connell a peer1 or appoint him ,lord ,chancellor of ,england if ,sir ,robert were to insist upon it8 ,how could she ever get clear of ,sir ,robert by differing with him on a question of policy1 if she were to bind herself before-hand to act according to his advice8 ,would it not be virtually giving the regal power into his hands8 ,dr4 ,ryerson then proceeded to illustrate the views which he held on this subject3-- ,i can find examples in ,english ,history since #afhh1 of ,british ,sovereigns having done just as ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe is alleged to have done2 ,i can also find examples of ministers resigning on account of what such ,sovereigns had done2 but ,i can find no example of any minister resigning on account of what the ,sovereign would not promise to do on the subject of consultation and possible appointments4 ,i have seen it alleged1 that the ,governor-,general was not bound to act upon the advice of his ,council1 only to ask it before he made any appointment4 ,but the ,governor-,general did take the advice of the ,council1 in regard to the appointments of the ,clerks of the ,peace1 both in the ,bathurst and ,dalhousie districts4 ,yet he is blamed as much for not acting upon it as if he had acted without taking it4 ,but in ,mr4 ,hincks' writings1 and in all the papers advocating the same sentiments1 ,i observe that it is contended that the ,governor-,general should act upon1 as well as take1 the advice of his ,council4 ,if so1 what is he but their amanuensis--the recorder of their decrees8--the office which ,sir ,charles ,bagot sustained on account of his illness2 but whose example1 in such circumstances1 can not be laid down as a general rule4 ,responsible government was a mere theory with the late ,council1 or until they came into office under ,sir ,charles ,bagot4 ,they had thought and reasoned about it1 but they had never acted upon it1 until then2 what they learned under the government of a sick and dying man was not adapted to make them perfect practitioners4 ,so they were about as wise and as raw in the business practically1 as was ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 who had doubtless thought1 and read1 and reasoned upon the subject also4 ,the unskilfulness of inexperience1 with good intentions1 seems to me to have been evinced in the whole proceeding4 ,of course it was considered1 on the impulse of the moment1 good policy to take a stand upon the principle of responsible government1 and not upon the propriety1 or policy1 of certain appointments4 ,by taking the latter ground1 all might be lost2 by taking the former ground1 all would be gained1 and a great deal of glory too1 in the course of a few days1 or a few weeks at most4 ,but it has turned out otherwise4 ,the question of prerogative has been brought up--a constitutional and imperial question4 ,as such the ,british ,government have decided upon it4444 ,it is now no longer a question between the late ,councillors and ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 but between them and ,her ,majesty's ,government4 ,i see1 therefore1 nothing in prospect but a renewal of the scenes of #ahcg1 and #ahch1 only on a larger scale4 ,whether the point contended for is worth that price1 or will be even obtained at that price1 is problematical4 ,i see no alternative1 unless some enlightening1 healing agency interpose4 ,i pray for the safety of our ,zion and people1 especially1 while ,i implore ,divine interposition in behalf of our beloved country4 ,i am no party man--,i have never judged--,i cannot judge questions according to party1 but according to constitutional principles and history4 ,on the first blush ,i was favourably impressed with the position and resignation of the late council2 but when ,i came to examine their position1 as ,i had done ,hon4 ,mr4 ,draper's speech on the ,university question by the light of history 7it being a new question71 ,i came to the conclusions that ,i have stated above4 ,i think the most general impression in the country1 and perhaps amongst the members of our ,church1 is that which first struck my own mind2 but ,i think it is contrary to the principles and practice of the ,british ,constitution4 ,during one of his visits to ,kingston1 early in #ahdd1 ,dr4 ,ryerson called at the office of his old friend1 ,hon4 ,j4 ,h4 ,dunn 7one of the late ,councillors71 who had desired to see him4 ,mr4 ,dunn was not in when he called4 ,he therefore1 on his return to ,cobourg addressed him as follows3--,my brother ,john told me that you had asked him what ,i thought of the late differences between the ,governor-,general and his ,council4 ,after all that ,i have read and learned1 ,i think very much of them as ,i did of the differences between the late ,lord ,sydenham and ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin4 ,you then asked me 7at the ,lambton ,house7 whether ,i approved of your remaining in office1 or of ,mr4 ,baldwin's resigning4 ,you will recollect my reply1 that ,i thought ,mr4 ,baldwin ought to have waited until an actual difference arose between him and other members of the ,council on some measure1 or measures2 and that he ought not to have resigned on account of an alleged want of confidence1 or theoretical difference of opinion4 ,so ,i think in the present case4 ,after stating your views to ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 you ought to have waited until some act1 or acts1 had taken place in contravention of these views1 and which act1 or acts1 you were not disposed to justify2 or if you thought it your duty to resign1 then it appears to me you should have resigned on some acts which had been performed1 and which you would not justify1 and on the policy involved in which you were prepared to appeal to the country4 ,but to resign upon a conversation1 and not upon specific administrative acts1 appears to me to be without precedent4 ,it has brought up the question of prerogative1 the constitutional decision of which1 rests of course1 with the supreme tribunals of the ,empire4 ,i think ,mr4 ,baldwin's conscientious theoretical rigidness has led to an error1 praiseworthy in its motives1 but not the less an error--an error which in private life would have attracted no attention1 but in public life makes a great noise1 and may lead to serious consequences4 ,i could wish with all my heart that you were in your late office1 which you have so long and so faithfully filled4 ,in a note to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 on various matters1 dated ,april #ajth1 ,mr4 ,civil ,secretary ,higginson said3-- ,the ,reform ,league in ,toronto are making unusual exertions1 and as you may have seen by their late resolutions1 no longer conceal their real object1 but in defiance of all their machinations1 and they are not over scrupulous as to their means1 truth and honesty of purpose1 backed by loyal hearts and liberal measures1 must and will prevail4 ,to this note ,dr4 ,ryerson thus replied on the #abth ,april3-- ,i think the public feeling in ,canada ,west is now stationary2 or since the rumour of my appointment as ,superintendent of ,education 7and how it got afloat ,i cannot imagine7 is rather turning in favour of the ,governor-,general4 ,the reason seems to be this3 ,the opponents of ,his ,excellency represent him as weak--as supported by nobody but a weak ultra-party4 ,it has been alleged by both my friends and enemies1 that whether the best or worst man in ,canada1 ,i have not hesitated to face in succession the united press and councils of each of the two ultra-parties in ,canada1 and succeeded in each instance to reduce them from a large majority to a small minority--deriving no advantage from the victories1 except as some suppose1 the pleasure of humbling my enemies4 ,it is the impression of great numbers of persons1 and to an extent and degree which has often amused me1 that whatever cause ,i espouse1 be it good or bad1 will succeed2 and that ,i never undertake a thing1 however apparently impracticable1 without a certainty of success4 ,though such a feeling increases the difficulty of every step of a man's career1 it furnishes him with capital to begin with4 ,my life having been bound up with the two great principles of constitutional monarchy on the one hand1 and equal civil and religious principles in ,canada on the other1 all who really desire such a government1 without regard to the domination of a party1 444 seem to think the ,governor-,general will succeed if ,i have resolved to espouse his government4444 ,from this state of mind in the case of many ,reformers1 and from what ,i have learned from other sources1 ,i am satisfied that1 notwithstanding the efforts to inflame party spirit--to produce party blindness1 and create party organizations--there is still a spirit of candour and enquiry 7all ,i ask7 amongst a large portion of the ,liberal party which will furnish an ample fulcrum for a lever that will overthrow the enemy4 ,i think that ,june will probably be the best time for the application of such a lever4 ,the opposition can do nothing more at present4 ,june is rather a leisure month for reading--the hay and wheat harvest will come on in ,july1 ,august and ,september1--during which time agitators can do but little1 and then ,i suppose will come the session of the ,legislature4 ,i hope to produce a vindication of ,his ,excellency that will do no discredit to him1 and shake1 if not confound1 his enemies1 and exhibit such a platform of government as will appeal to every candid1 common sense1 sound ,british subject1 best adapted to promote the best interests and greatest happiness of ,canada4444 ,to vindicate injured worth1 either in high or humble life1 has on different occasions1 afforded me peculiar pleasure1 and ,i contemplate1 even as a pleasing task 7though painful from the occasion7 the purpose and opportunity of doing so in respect to so noble a subject and so good a cause as that with which ,his ,excellency is identified4 ,when the ,government once assumes the attitude of strength1 many who are now neutral1 or perhaps professedly leaning to the apparently stronger party1 will come over avowedly to the ,crown4 ,the timidity of the secret friends of the government in ,lower ,canada is an infirmity 7,i think of a majority of mankind7 which requires as much pity as it deserves censure4 ,all ,greeks are not ,spartans4 ,ten men seem to be made for work1 where one is constituted for war4 ,i have found it so in the hour of peril2 when ,i have been left almost alone1 though ,i found abundance of helping and co-operating friends as soon as the tide of victory began to turn in my favour4 ,i think it will be so with the government in less than twelve months--at least in ,upper ,canada4 ,the ,league organization in ,toronto is the most formidable affair that has ever been formed in western ,canada4 ,i am told that its funds are large also1--several thousand pounds--but ,i think its power can be broken4 ,in a note to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,mr4 ,higginson1 dated #bcrd of ,may1 he said3--,you will of course have seen the manifesto just hatched and brought forth by the ,league1 jesuitically and cleverly enough put we must admit2 it will no doubt be widely circulated1 and it is very desirable that an antidote to the poison should be as extensively communicated to the people2 and who in the province is so capable as yourself for such a task8 ,if you would take up the arguments seriatim--you could prove their fallacy without much difficulty4 ,the fabric being founded upon misapprehension and falsehood1 must go with a run4 ,i confess ,i long to see these ambitious party-men unmasked4 ,,chapter ,,xli4 #ahdd4 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe ,defended against his ,councillors ,on the #bgth ,may1 #ahdd1 ,dr4 ,ryerson issued the first part of his memorable ,defence of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 not only against the attacks of his late ,councillors1 but also against those of the all-powerful ,league which had been formed against him on the #bdth ,march1 under the auspices of the ,toronto ,reform ,association4 ,the ,manifesto of that famous ,league was dated on the #afth ,may4 ,its issue at once decided ,dr4 ,ryerson to enter the lists in defence of ,sir ,charles1 and the prefatory note to his rejoinder was written on the #bgth ,may4 ,from the introductory portion of it ,i make the following extract3-- ,rev4 ,egerton ,ryerson 444 proposes 444 to prove from the testimony of his late ,advisers 444 that ,his ,excellency is entitled to the verdict of the country on every count of the indictment got up against him4 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe may say to the people of ,canada1 as ,themistocles said to the ,athenians who were incensed against him1 ,strike1 but hear me6 444 ,if ,leonidas1#abc with three hundred ,spartans1 could throw themselves into the ,thermopyl of death for the salvation of their country1 it would ill become one humble ,canadian to hesitate at any sacrifice1 or shrink from any responsibility1 or even danger1 in order to prevent his own countrymen from rushing into a vortex1 which1 he is most certainly persuaded1 will involve many of them in calamities more serious than those which followed the events of #ahcg4 ,the following account of this memorable controversy was written by ,dr4 ,ryerson himself4 ,it has been slightly abridged and a few explanatory notes added3-- ,after much consideration1 but without consulting any human being1 ,i determined to enter the arena of public discussion to set forth and vindicate the true principles of responsible government1 and to defend ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 as ,i had before defended ,mr4 ,bidwell1 from the unjust attacks made upon him2 and ,i published an introductory paper avowing my purpose4 ,my friends generally and the country at large were against me4 ,my elder brother1 ,john1 a life-long ,conservative1 on first meeting me after the publication of that introductory paper1 said1 ,egerton1 you have ruined yourself1 for nine-tenths of the people are opposed to the ,governor-,general4 ,i answered1 ,i know it2 but ,i believe that nine-tenths of the people are mistaken1 and that if they will read what ,i am about to write they will think as ,i do4 ,the contest was severe2 the ablest and most meritorious public men in the province were arrayed on the opposite side2 but ,i felt that truth and justice did not rest on numbers--that there was a public1 as well as an individual1 conscience1 and to that conscience ,i appealed1 supporting my appeal by reference to the past professions of ,reformers1 the best illustrations from ,greek1 ,roman1 and ,english history1 and the authority of the best writers on constitutional government1 and moral and political philosophy1 and the highest interests1 civil and social1 of all classes of society in ,upper ,canada4 ,for months ,i was certainly the best abused man in ,canada2 but ,i am not aware that ,i lost my temper1 or evinced personal animosity 7which ,i never felt71 but wrote with all the clearness1 energy1 and fire that ,i could command4 ,the general elections took place in ,october1 #ahdd1 and in all ,upper ,canada 7according to the ,globe's own statement7 only eight candidates were elected in opposition to ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe6 ,such a result of a general election was never before1 or since1 witnessed in ,upper ,canada4 ,it has been alleged again and again1 that ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe was opposed to responsible government and that ,i supported him in it4 ,the only pretext for this was1 that in the contest with ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe his opponents introduced party appointments as an essential element of responsible government1 which they themselves had disavowed in previous years when advocating that system of government4 ,the doctrine of making appointments according to party 7however common now1 with its degenerating influences7 was then an innovation upon all previously professed doctrines of reformers1 as ,i proved to a demonstration in my letters in defence of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe4 ,sir ,francis ,hincks1 in an historical lecture delivered at ,montreal1 in #ahgg1 has revived this charge against ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 and has attempted to create the impression that there was a sort of conspiracy between the late ,earl of ,derby and ,lord ,metcalfe to extinguish responsible government in ,canada4 ,for such an insinuation there is not a shadow of reason1 though the author may have thought so1 from his strong personal feelings and former party views1 as one of the actors in the struggle4 ,i was in ,england during the latter part of #ahdd and #ahde1 when the ,earl of ,derby was ,colonial ,secretary1 and had more than one conversation with him on ,canadian affairs2 and ,i know that the ,earl of ,derby had no more intention or desire to abolish responsible government in ,canada than had ,sir ,francis ,hincks himself4 ,the ,earl of ,derby had1 indeed1 fears lest the party in power1 under the new system1 should act upon the narrow and prescriptive principles and spirit of the old tory party1 and wished to see that with the new system an enlarged policy would extinguish the hatreds1 as well as the proscriptions1 of the past1 and unite all classes in the good government and for the advancement of the country4 ,this was the view of ,lord ,metcalfe2 and this was the view advocated in my letters in his defence1 which may be appealed to in proof that the essence of that contest was not responsible government1 but as to whether or not the distribution of the patronage of the ,crown should be dispensed upon the principles of party1 or on those of justice and morality4 ,i may add an illustrative and curious incident on this subject3--,on the passing of the ,imperial ,act for confederating the ,british ,north ,american ,colonies into the ,dominion of ,canada1 and its proclamation1 ,i wrote and published an address to the people of ,upper ,canada in #ahfh1 suggesting to them to forget the differences of the past1 and the principles and spirit in which they should introduce the new system of government1 and build up for themselves a united and prosperous nation4 ,a few days after the publication of this address1 ,i met in the street1 an honourable gentleman1 who had been one of the party opposed to ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 a member of a ,liberal government1 a life-long ,reformer4 ,he complimented me on my recent address to the people of ,upper ,canada2 but added1 ,the great mistake of your life was the letters you wrote in defence of ,lord ,metcalfe4 ,i answered1 ,do you think so8 ,yes1 said he1 that was the great mistake of your life4 ,and1 said ,i1 you approve of my recent public address8 ,yes1 he answered1 ,i think it is the best thing you ever wrote4 ,well1 said ,i1 do you know that that address with the exception of the introductory and concluding paragraphs1 is a reproduction1 word for word1 of my third letter in defence of ,lord ,metcalfe1 counselling my fellow-countrymen as to the principles and spirit in which they should act in carrying into effect the then new system of responsible government6 ,he exclaimed1 ,it cannot be6 ,i have these letters4 ,i said1 ,it can be2 and it is so2 and if you will compare my third letter in defence of ,lord ,metcalfe with my recent address1 you will find that ,i have not omitted an illustration from ,greek1 or ,roman1 or ,english history1 or an authority from standard writers1 on political or moral science1 or a petition or address from ,reformers from the rebellion of #ahcg to the establishment of responsible government under ,lord ,sydenham and ,sir ,charles ,bagot in #ahdj-db2 that ,i have not added to1 or omitted1 a word1 but have repeated verbatim et literatim in #ahfh1 in regard to confederate government1 what ,i advised the people of ,canada in #ahdd in regard to responsible government4 ,and now1 ,i continued1 who has changed8 you or ,i8 ,oh1 he said1 circumstances alter cases4 ,truly1 ,i said1 circumstances alter cases2 but circumstances don't change principles2 ,i wrote on the principles and spirit of government irrespective of party4 ,on such principles ,i have endeavoured to act throughout my more than half a century of public life--principles1 the maintenance of which has sometimes brought me into collision with the leaders of one party1 and sometimes in opposition to those of another party2 but principles which ,i have found higher and stronger than party4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a day or two after the issue of ,dr4 ,ryerson's first paper in defence of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 ,hon4 ,isaac ,buchanan sent to him copies of letters which he had written to ,hon4 ,joseph ,howe1 ,halifax1 and to ,civil ,secretary ,higginson1 ,kingston1 on the ,metcalfe controversy4 ,in this letter he said3-- ,it is with infinite pleasure that ,i see you have publicly come out to tell the truth as to politics and public men4 ,the fact is1 politics in a new country are either the essential principles of society or parish business4 ,in both cases every man is interested1 and to a less extent than in an old state of things1 where in a hereditary educated class1 there are natural guardians of the public virtue4 ,is it objectionable that clergymen interfere in the arrangement of detail for the happiness of the country8 ,but it is1 as ,i have always maintained1 their most imperative duty to hold and express an opinion on constitutional politics4 ,the priests in ,lower ,canada1 from not doing so1 permitted the rebellion of #ahcg4 ,i1 myself1 care nothing1 and never did care anything1 for party politics in ,canada2 and1 in my mind1 the distinction has always been more marked between these and constitutional politics than ,i have been able to explain4 ,dr4 ,ryerson did not attend the opening of ,conference at ,kingston1 in ,june1 #ahdd4 ,mr4 ,higginson wrote to him on the #abth to express his disappointment at not seeing him there1 and added3-- ,of your letters--your admirable letters--,i only hear one opinion1 that they are most powerful1 unassailable2 and this the opposition press appears to find them1 for ,i can perceive no attempt to answer the convincing arguments adduced by you4 ,they merely abuse you and impugn your motives3 lying and misrepresentation are their favourite weapons4 ,you will have heard of the discovery of the ,orange ,plot1 the conspiracy between ,sir ,c4 ,metcalfe and ,ogle ,r4 ,gowan to upset the ,government6 ,we had a very satisfactory communication from ,lord ,stanley1 by the last packet1 entirely approving of the dignified and temperate conduct of the ,governor1 and assuring him of the strenuous support of ,her ,majesty's ,government1 in resisting the unreasonable and exorbitant pretensions of the late ,cabinet4 ,shall we see you again before we move to ,montreal8 ,sir ,charles goes to the ,falls1 and then returns to ,kingston1 which he leaves on the #bjth for ,montreal4 ,from ,mr4 ,higginson ,dr4 ,ryerson received the following interesting letter1 dated ,montreal1 #bjth ,july3-- ,as you will no doubt think it right1 after you complete the series of your admirable and unanswerable letters1 to expose the fallacy and falsehood with which ,hon4 ,r4 ,b4 ,sullivan1 as ,legion1 endeavours to bolster up his arguments in reply to them1 ,i think the enclosed prcis of a conversation that took place between the leader of the ,french party in the late ,council and myself1 early in ,may last1 will convince you that ,his ,excellency did not write his despatch of the #bcrd of that month1 quoted in the debate by ,lord ,stanley1 upon insufficient grounds1 or in ignorance of the real sentiments and inclinations of his then advisers4 ,letter ,no4 #e of ,legion1 in referring to this despatch1 charges ,his ,excellency with what he calls paraphrasing1 or1 in other words1 misrepresentation1 as no men in their senses could have made such demands as the late ,council are stated to have urged4 ,the words made use of by ,his ,excellency are not theirs1 it is true2 but did not the opinions expressed by ,mr4 ,lafontaine1 their leader1 bear out the assertion8 ,i regret that ,lord ,stanley did not quote what followed4 ,i have given the meaning1 rather than the words1 of the dictatorial ,councillor2 but ,i have not in the slightest degree exaggerated the substance of his discourse4 ,i ought to add that the conversation originated in a rumour of ,his ,excellency's intending to appoint a ,provincial ,aide-de-camp1 of whom ,mr4 ,lafontaine did not approve2 and that1 although addressed to me1 ,i could only suppose that it was intended for the ears of ,his ,excellency4 ,you will1 of course1 not believe the newspaper statements of ,sir ,charles having sent for ,mr4 ,lafontaine4 ,ever since our arrival here the ,french party have been urging that the only way of getting out of our difficulties is by allowing ,messrs4 ,lafontaine and ,baldwin to resume their places--as the ,french people believe that they cannot enjoy responsible government without them4 ,to this ,his ,excellency cannot consent4 ,what the result may be is not quite clear2 our future plans have been delayed by this negotiation1 which1 though still pending1 must terminate in a day or two4 ,i hope that under any circumstances we shall be able to meet the present ,parliament1 if not with a majority1 at least with a strong minority4 ,the following is the ,prcis to which ,i refer3-- ,mr4 ,lafontaine said3 ,your attempts to carry on the government on principles of conciliation must fail4 ,responsible government has been conceded1 and when we lose our majority we are prepared to retire2 to strengthen us we must have the entire confidence of the ,governor-,general exhibited most unequivocally--and also his patronage--to be bestowed exclusively on our political adherents4 ,we feel that ,his ,excellency has kept aloof from us4 ,the opposition pronounce that his sentiments are with them4 ,there must be some acts of his1 some public declaration in favour of responsible government1 and of confidence in the ,cabinet1 to convince them of their error4 ,this has been studiously avoided4 ,charges have been brought against members of the ,council1 in addresses1 and no notice given to them1 viz43 ,mr4 ,b4 was even mentioned by name1 or at least by office1 and will declare on the first day of the session that it is only as a member of responsible government that he for one would consent to act4 ,if he supposed for a moment that ,sir ,charles could introduce a different system1 he would resign4 ,in fact1 the ,governor ought to stand in the same position towards his ,cabinet as ,her ,majesty does4 ,they cannot be prepared to defend his acts in ,parliament if done without their advice--instance the case of the ,collector of ,customs' intended dismissal4 ,no new-comers ought to be appointed to office4 ,declares his disinterestedness1 as his party--i4e4 the ,french ,canadians--must carry the day4 ,the ,conservatives would be just as ready to join them as those that have--has no desire for office for office's sake4 ,if the ,governor does not take some steps to denounce and show his disapprobation of ,orangeism1 his not doing so will be construed into the reverse1 and the system will extend1 and bloodshed will follow4 ,the other party will organize--and they would be great fools if they did not--no ,orangemen to be included in ,commissions of the ,peace--no justice at present for ,catholics in ,upper ,canada4 ,a law for the suppression of illegal societies does exist1 but very difficult to discover members of them and to execute the law4 ,conciliation is only an attempt to revert to the old system of government--viz3 the will of the ,governor4 ,it must fail4 ,lord ,stanley decidedly adverse to the ,lower ,canadians2 does not forget their expunging one of his despatches from their journals--it was so impudent4 ,trusts the ,home ,government will accept the proposed civil list2 they will never have so large a one offered again4 ,in conclusion1 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe's great reputation places him in an eminently favourable position for carrying out ,sir ,charles ,bagot's policy1 by which alone the ,province can be satisfactorily governed4 ,a declaration by ,government to this effect would put a stop to political agitation which the opposition keep alive as long as they have the slightest hopes of office--all they care for4 ,let them know that the game was up1 and all would go right1 and many come round4 ,the differences of religion in ,upper ,canada will always prevent amalgamation2 you must make them all of the same1 like ourselves in ,lower ,canada4 ,french language clause in ,union ,bill must be expunged4 ,on the #bfth ,july ,dr4 ,ryerson replied to ,mr4 ,higginson-- ,i shall make use of the enclosure ,prcis in substance when ,i come to reply to ,legion--which will1 of course1 not be until he shall have got through his series4 ,the ,defence of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe consisted of nine papers1 in which the whole question at issue was fully discussed4 ,in concluding the ninth1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,i have written these papers 444 as a man who has no temporal interest whatever1 except in common with that of his native country--the field of his life's labours--the seat of his best affections--the home of his earthly hopes2--up to the present time ,i have never received one farthing of its revenue4 ,i know something of the kinds and extent of the sacrifices which are involved in my thus coming before the public4 ,if others have resigned office1 ,i have declined it1 and under circumstances very far less propitious than those under which the late ,councillors stepped out4444 ,i have no interest in the appointment of one set of men to office1 or in the exclusion of any other man1 or set of men1 from office4 ,i know but one chief end of civil government--the public good2 and ,i have one rule of judging the acts and sentiments of all public men--their tendency to promote the public good4444 ,i am as independent of ,messrs4 ,viger1 ,draper and ,daly1 as ,i am of ,messrs4 ,baldwin1 ,sullivan and ,hincks4444 ,i might appeal to more than one instance in which the authority and patronage of the ,governor did not prevent me from defending the constitutional rights of my fellow-subjects and native country4444 ,the independent and impartial judgment which ,i myself endeavour to exercise1 ,i desire to see exercised by every man in ,canada4 ,i believe it comports best with constitutional safety1 with civil liberty1 with personal dignity1 with public duty1 with national greatness4 ,with the politics of party--involving the confederacy1 the enslavement1 the selfishness1 the exclusion1 the trickery1 the antipathies1 the crimination of party1 no good man ought to be identified4444 ,with the politics of government--involving its objects1 its principles1 its balanced powers1 its operations--even against the encroachments of any party--every ,british subject has much to do4 ,civil government1 as ,st4 ,paul says1 is an ordinance of ,god4 ,every ,christian 444 is to see it not abused1 or trampled under foot1 or perverted to party or sectional purposes2 but he is to seek its application to the beneficent ends for which it was designed by our common ,creator and ,governor4 ,such have been the ends for which the people of ,canada have long sought its application2 such have been the ends sought by the ,governor-,general4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in his letter to ,mr4 ,higginson 7#bfth ,july7 said3 ,i have now concluded my defence of ,his ,excellency against the attacks of his late councillors4 ,i have done the best ,i could4 ,as to its influence upon the public mind1 ,i am1 of course1 not responsible4 ,i cannot compel persons to read1 think1 or reason1 however ,i may do so for them4 ,in some places1 ,i am told1 a most essential change has taken place in the public mind1 in consequence of the perusal of my letters4 ,in other places1 passion has prevented the perusal of them1 and numbers of persons have just become calm enough to desire to peruse them1 and are anxiously waiting for the pamphlet edition4 ,i have not yet heard of any one who has read them all1 who has not become convinced of the correctness of my reasoning4 ,but it is the opinion of persons who have far better means of judging than ,i have1 that the effect of them the next two months will be much greater than during the last two months4 ,the violent feelings which the whole party of the ,leaguers sought to excite against myself have1 to a great extent1 subsided1 and a spirit of inquiry and reflection is returning to the public mind4 ,i believe nothing has been done to circulate my articles among the mass of the people--beyond the ordinary newspaper agency4 ,i believe that were my ninth number itself printed and widely circulated in ,upper ,canada in tract form1 it would prepare the way for the success of a just administration1 consisting of any persons whom ,his ,excellency might select--at least so far as the great majority of the people of ,western ,canada is concerned4 ,i think the decision of the ,imperial ,government on the whole question should be laid before the ,legislature in a despatch4 ,the matter would be thus brought to a single issue1 and ,i doubt not but the prerogative would be placed upon the true foundation4 ,to proceed again to legislation1 without a distinct settlement of this question1 appears to me derogatory to the dignity of the ,crown itself 7both in ,england and ,canada7 and unsafe in every respect2 and unjust to both ,his ,excellency and to all who have supported him4 ,i think also that the ,hon4 ,mr4 ,draper ought 7if necessary7 to be supported as strongly as ever ,george ,,iii4 supported ,mr4 ,pitt4 ,mr4 ,draper has thrown himself into the breach1 and defended and supported the ,government in no less than three emergencies1 when others have abandoned1 and even sought to overthrow it4 ,i think that ,mr4 ,draper ought not to be made a sacrifice1 without an appeal to the people4 ,much prejudice and passion have1 of course1 been excited by the ,leaguers since last ,january1 and they have formed a regular and extensive organization2 but a reaction has already commenced2 the backbone of their power is broken4 ,they can form branches1 associations1 and threaten us as they did a few months ago2 but not a few amongst themselves are wavering4 ,if the ,government will act with liberality and energy1 and the ,home ,government transmit an official decision on the question at issue1 to be first submitted to the ,legislature and then to the people1 ,i believe ,his ,excellency's exertions will be crowned with a glorious victory1 to his own credit1 the honour of the ,british ,crown1 the strengthening of our connection with the ,mother ,country1 and the great future benefit of ,canada4 ,as to myself3 when ,i commenced this discussion ,i did not know what might be my own fate in respect to it4 ,i wished1 at least1 to do my duty to my family2 to quiet their apprehension1 and not embarrass and distrust my own mind1 while undertaking a task of so great magnitude4 ,in regard to the past3 ,i have completed my task to the best of my humble ability4 ,the satisfaction of having done my duty is all the acknowledgment or commendation ,i desire1 or can receive4 ,with my present experience1 ,i might perform the task in a manner more worthy of the subject1 and more to my own satisfaction4 ,i hope1 however1 an occasion for such a discussion may not occur again in ,canada4 ,the hostile personal feelings excited against me in some quarters will1 ,i hope1 be lived down in time4 ,the disclosures which have been made of the alleged sins of my public1 and even private life1 have not1 ,i trust1 brought to light one dishonourable act1 one republican or unconstitutional sentiment1 even under the severest provocations1 and grossest abuse4 ,dr4 ,ryerson had written to the ,governor-,general early in ,august on several matters4 ,he received a reply from ,mr4 ,secretary ,higginson on the #aeth of that month4 ,in it he says3-- ,the ,governor-,general looks forward to the pleasure of seeing you soon1 when he will have an opportunity of personally expressing his warmest thanks for your admirable and unanswerable letters in defence of the ,queen's ,government4 ,his ,excellency feels very much indebted to you for the zeal and ability that enabled you to perform1 in so truly an efficient manner1 the arduous task which your patriotism and public spirit induced you to undertake4 ,upon other important subjects adverted to in your letter1 ,his ,excellency will be very happy to have personal communication with you when you come down4 ,our object now is to complete the ,council1 as far as may be practicable1 without the body of the ,french party1 who doggedly refused to take part in any ,administration of which ,messrs4 ,lafontaine and ,baldwin are not members4 ,mr4 ,william ,smith1 of the ,montreal ,bar1 accepts the ,attorney-,generalship1 for the duties of which he is said to be well qualified4 ,he is a ,liberal in politics1 and has always been looked on as a friend of the ,french party4 ,the ,hon4 ,mr4 ,morris is willing to take the ,receiver-,generalship1 and ,i hope that ,mr4 ,w4 ,h4 ,merritt will now find himself at liberty to join the ,council4 ,the ,crown ,lands ,department will still remain unfilled2 and perhaps it is well that that door should be still kept open4 ,mr4 ,billa now ,hon4 ,senator ,flint1 of ,belleville1 in a letter dated #adth ,august1 in correcting an error in one of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,metcalfe letters on a matter of fact1 adds3-- ,i hope soon to read your pamphlet1 but in not reading your letters heretofore1 ,i have been enabled to answer the attacks of your enemies1 not on the grounds of a consent1 but upon other1 and ,i trust better ground1 that of not condemning a man unheard1 as is the case in this part of the community1 and as ,i have stated that you must be near right from the fact that your enemies dare not publish your productions4 ,with a view to aid ,dr4 ,ryerson in his personal defence1 ,hon4 ,isaac ,buchanan wrote to him on the #bbnd ,august1 and said3-- ,as ,i think you may feel called on to answer the personal attacks made upon you1 or1 at all events1 to defend the ministerial character from those who deprive it of all manliness and independence1 ,i send you ,hetherington's ,history of the ,church of ,scotland4 ,on one page1 and in the note referred to1 you will find the methods and conduct of ,knox explained4 ,it will be the best1 as well as the most truthful policy on your part1 to show your agreement with this great character4 ,the effect will be great1 not only on the ,methodist ,scotch1 but all other ,scotch in the ,colony1 for we are all for national1 instead of party1 freedom2 we prefer our country to our party4 ,it may be my fondness for my country2 but ,i think no other country1 or people1 have ever shown that indomitable love of equal justice and rational1 because national freedom1 as opposed to party supremacy1 as we have done in ,scotland4 ,i feel sure that you may make some happy illustrations from ,hetherington's ,history to enlighten the public on the present state of affairs1 when we are about to be enthralled by party tyranny1 and do much to revive the spirit3 ,ne'er will ,i quail with down-cast eye ,beneath the frown of tyranny2 ,in freedom ,i have lived1 in freedom ,i will die4 ,the history of our ,church is not only the history of ,scotland1 but the history of the world's freedom from the tyranny of men1 or parties4 ,dr4 ,ryerson had written to ,his ,excellency in regard to the issue of his letters in a pamphlet with a full index4 ,to this letter ,mr4 ,higginson replied on the #aith ,august3-- ,i am desired by ,his ,excellency to repeat his thanks for your continued exertions in support of ,her ,majesty's ,government4 ,your index to the pamphlet will be exceedingly useful4 ,i should like very much to have the pamphlet translated into ,french1 for the benefit of the ,lower ,canadians1 and perhaps ,i shall be able to accomplish it4 ,i should be obliged by your ordering a few hundred copies to be sent to me for distribution in the ,eastern ,townships4 ,,footnotes3 #abc ,by a singular popular error1 which this sentence may have suggested1 it was stated and generally believed that the ,defence of ,lord ,metcalfe by ,dr4 ,ryerson was written and published under the nom de plume of ,leonidas4 ,,chapter ,,xlii4 #ahdd-ahde4 ,after the ,contest4--,reaction and ,reconstruction4 ,dr4 ,ryerson naturally took a deep interest in political affairs at this time1 and ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe kept him fully informed of events transpiring at the seat of ,government4 ,in a letter1 dated #aith ,august1 #ahdd1 ,mr4 ,civil ,secretary ,higginson said to him3-- ,you will be glad to hear that ,hon4 ,d4 ,b4 ,papineau accepts a seat in the ,council4 ,the ,inspector-,general and ,solicitor-,general of ,lower ,canada are the only offices unprovided for4 ,as to ,mr4 ,w4 ,h4 ,merritt1 the state of his private affairs may operate in his case1 as in that of ,mr4 ,harrison4 ,if it should prove so1 the ,hon4 ,james ,morris may be induced to join the ,council1 and a very worthy representative of the ,upper ,canada ,constitutional ,reformers he would be4 ,whether the present ,parliament is to be met again1 or to be dissolved1 remains for discussion4 ,sir ,charles inclines to meet them1 and ,i think we can do with a majority1 albeit a small one1 to support the ,government4 ,mr4 ,higginson wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,sept4 #hth1 and said3 ,dissolution or no dissolution1 still undetermined4 ,thorburn declines office4 ,we must have an ,inspector-,general1 and from the ,upper ,canada ,liberals4 ,where are we to find one fit for the duties8 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed a letter1 on the #ajth ,september1 to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper1 in reply to ,mr4 ,higginson's note-- ,i need scarcely say that ,i congratulate you most heartily on your formal appointment as ,attorney-,general1 and on the important additions which have been made to your strength in the ,council4 ,would not ,mr4 ,scobie make a good ,inspector-,general8 ,he is said to be a good financier4 ,his private character1 sound principles1 and moderate feelings1 are all that you could desire4 ,after much reflection1 and conversation with some judicious persons who have travelled more than ,i have throughout the country1 and have better opportunities of forming an opinion than ,i have1 ,i am inclined to think that you will gain much more than you can lose1 by meeting the present ,parliament1 and declaring your views1 and taking your stand upon the true principles of responsible government4 ,i make these remarks1 because ,i spoke rather in favour of a dissolution when ,i saw you last4 ,to this letter ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper replied1 on the #agth3-- ,i acknowledge the force of your arguments against a dissolution1 but at the same time it appears to me you have not weighed the arguments on the other side4 ,these may be concisely stated4 #ast4 ,that the ensuing session will be one certainly preceding a general election1 and therefore1 one in which popular doctrines have their fullest force4 #bnd4 ,that members having committed themselves by the vote of last session would fear to retrace their steps and brave the charge of inconsistency at such a time4 #crd4 ,that the ex-ministers would have an opportunity1 which they would not neglect1 of presenting a new question for the country4 ,you have sickened them of the first question2 they would like a second1 better selected1 if they could get it4 ,for example1 if they moved a committee to inquire how the ,government has been administered during the last ten months1 would they not be very likely to carry it8 ,information can do no harm2 enquiry is a right of the ,house1 etc41 etc4 ,who would venture to oppose when the committee was granted8 ,no business would be done till it had reported4 ,whatever the report--and if they got a majority on the committee1 we may judge its character--their point would be gained1 and they would have a new issue to try before the country2 a new topic of inflammatory harangue1 and studious misrepresentation4 ,whether this would be their move ,i cannot say1 but they would do something tending to a similar end4 ,the experience of #ahcf will teach them not to make a dead set against doing business1 or granting supplies1 etc4 ,they will make that a consequence1 and if possible force the ,government to a dissolution1 thus casting the onus of doing no public business on the ,government4 ,again1 although not meeting the present ,house may be considered as an admission of inferiority there1 ,i think this less injurious than that the new ,administration should be beaten there2 and ,i cannot in any way anticipate a different result4 ,after going over the list in every way ,i see no just ground for hoping for victory there4 ,again1 of those in whom we might place some hope of a vote in a crisis1 there are some who will not be in their places4 ,col4 ,prince certainly will not1 and ,i doubt much if ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,merritt1 or ,mr4 ,thorburn can4 ,does no other ,upper ,canadian ,reformer suggest himself8 ,i confess that ,i am at a great loss4 ,neither ,harrison nor ,merritt can take office1 as they say1 because of their private affairs4 ,hon4 ,james ,morris has given up politics4 ,i have not failed to note your observation respecting ,mr4 ,scobie1 and have brought the matter before the ,council4 ,to this letter ,dr4 ,ryerson replied on the #aith ,september3-- ,you will observe that my remarks had reference almost exclusively to the best means of augmenting the elective suffrage in favour of the ,government4 ,the facilities for circulating knowledge amongst the mass of the people are so very imperfect1 that it takes a long time1 and great exertions1 even out of the ordinary channel1 to inform the great body of the people on any subject4 ,in the present instance1 the ,tory party1 although they approve of my letters1 do not take pains to circulate them gratuitously4 ,it is amongst the persons opposed to the ,governor-,general1 that the reading of them is the most important4 ,that class of persons cannot be supposed to be very solicitous to procure publications against their own sentiments and feelings1 although they--at least very many of them--would readily read them if they were put into their hands4 ,i have scarcely heard of an individual who has read all my letters who does not adopt the sentiments of them--how strong soever his feelings might be against the ,governor-,general4 ,it was with a view1 therefore1 of gaining over to the ,government a larger portion of the electors1 that ,i proposed delay1 and the intermediate means of fully informing the public mind4 ,from the considerations which you assign1 ,i do not see that you can do otherwise than dissolve the ,house4 ,i can easily conceive how some persons can absent themselves from a short session1 and thus weaken the ,government more than others could strengthen it by their presence and support2 and that popular movements may be devised to shift the question and embarrass you4 ,you will probably not gain as many elections now as you would six months or three months hence2 but what you may not gain in numbers you may gain in the moderation of new members1 or in a new ,house2 especially if you can reduce the majorities of opposition members who may be returned1 and hold before them in a new ,house the possibility of a second dissolution4 ,dr4 ,ryerson then sums up his suggestions as follows3-- ,the great question then is1 ,how can you come before the country forthwith to the best advantage8 ,i would take the liberty of offering the following suggestions1 which have probably occurred to yourself1 with others that ,i shall not mention3 #a4 ,ought not the views of the ,government1 on the great questions1 be put forth in some more authoritative1 or formal and imposing way1 than has yet been adopted8 ,i know not whether it would be in order for the ,governor-,general to issue a proclamation in some such form as ,lord ,durham adopted1 when he made his extraordinary appeal to the inhabitants of ,british ,north ,america4 ,in such a document1 whatever ought to be the form of its promulgation1 the question and doctrine of responsible government should be stated with an explicitness that will leave the ex-,council party no room to cavil1 or justify further resistance on that subject4 ,you have this advantage1 that you can state your case as you please1 and as fully as you please1 to the country4 #b4 ,ought there not to be more effective means used than have yet been employed to circulate the refutations of the ex-,council's publications amongst their own supporters8 ,every one you gain from that side counts two1 in more ways than one4 ,and from what ,i have understood1 ,i am persuaded the chief desideratum is to furnish them with the refutations of the attacks of the late ,councillors4 ,a proper improvement of means for nearly two months might accomplish a great deal1 and would soon reduce them to a minority1 in a large majority of the counties in ,upper ,canada4 ,on the #ahth ,september1 ,mr4 ,higginson wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson3 ,the question of meeting the present ,parliament1 or of going to the people1 has at last been decided in favour of the latter measure4 ,there was so much to be said1 pro and con1 that it was a most difficult point to decide4 ,if the ,government could have reckoned with any degree of certainty upon a majority in the ,house1 which they unfortunately could not1 there would have been the strongest reasons1 as your brother so forcibly put them1 for not dissolving4 ,your suggestion to ,hon4 ,mr4 ,draper as to ,mr4 ,scobie filling the ,inspector-,generalship1 engages the attention of ,his ,excellency and the ,council4 ,can the gentleman referred to command a seat8 ,i fear not4 ,they complain of a great want of information in the ,colborne ,district4 ,i mean ,dr4 ,gilchrist's portion of it1 where they see nothing but the ,peterborough ,chronicle4 ,mr4 ,hickson may be depended on as far as he can be of use in circulating some of your wholesome truths4 ,as there will now be no opportunity of speaking to the people from the ,throne previous to the elections1 some other mode must be taken to ensure our not coming before the country upon a wrong issue1 and such language used as the masses can readily comprehend4 ,it is to the electors we must look for victory1 and that ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe will triumph ,i entertain no doubt4 ,in acknowledging an official letter to ,his ,excellency1 ,mr4 ,higgins on 7,october #ajth7 informed ,dr4 ,ryerson that he should receive an official reply through ,mr4 ,daly4 ,he then added3-- ,i doubt not that you will outlive all the abuse that foul-mouthed radicalism can heap upon you4 ,it is1 as you know1 impossible to calculate with any degree of certainty upon the results of the elections until the polls are tested2 but1 ,i think ,i may assert with safety that our prospects in ,lower ,canada are by no means so discouraging as our enemies1 and1 ,i believe1 some of our friends1 would make it appear4 ,of the latter1 there is a class that stand still with their arms folded1 fancying that there must be a majority against the ,government1 and that it will be taken by the ,home authorities as an evidence of the impossibility of working responsible government4 ,in sending letters of introduction to friends in ,england1 ,hon4 ,george ,moffatt1 of ,montreal1 wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson in ,october to say3-- ,as to the result of the ,metcalfe contest1 returns have been received from more than half of the constituencies in the two sections of the ,province1 and it is gratifying to find that the ,governor-,general is assured of having a good working majority in the ,assembly4 ,i have no fears about him1 and my only anxiety now is that things may not be again grossly mismanaged at the ,colonial ,office4 ,unfortunately1 however1 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe's health is very precarious1 and should he resign1 it will be of the utmost importance that a statesman of ability and character should be sent out to succeed him4 ,i drew your attention to the ungrateful conduct of the returned exiles1 generally2 and if proof were wanting of the entire failure of the conciliation system in this section of the ,province1 it would only be necessary to refer to the active part taken by these men in the late contest4 ,hon4 ,peter ,mc,gill1 of ,montreal1 in his letter of introduction to ,sir ,randolph ,routh1 thus referred to ,dr4 ,ryerson3-- ,the ,rev4 ,egerton ,ryerson1 with whose name you1 and every one connected with ,canada1 must be familiar1 has recently been doing the ,state some service1 by his eloquent writings in defence and vindication of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe's ,government1 and in support of law1 order1 and ,british ,connection4 ,having applied to ,his ,excellency for letters of introduction to parties in ,england1 ,mr4 ,secretary ,higginson writes3-- ,i have the pleasure to enclose an introduction from ,his ,excellency to ,lord ,stanley1 and letters to old friends of his and mine1 ,mr4 ,trevelyan1 of the ,treasury1 and ,mr4 ,mangles1 ,m4,p4 ,how nobly and strongly ,upper ,canada has come out6 ,she will send us at least thirty good men and true1 who will not be overawed by a ,french faction4 ,from this section of the ,province we shall have1 on the lowest calculation1 thirteen or fourteen1 which gives us a majority of five or six to commence with1 and that will doubtless increase4 ,from no one did ,dr4 ,ryerson receive during the ,metcalfe contest more faithful and loving counsel than from his old friend1 ,rev4 ,george ,ferguson4 ,mr4 ,ferguson had been a brave soldier before he entered the ministry1 in #ahaf1 and he was1 up to the time of his death1 in #aheg1 a valiant soldier of the cross4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in ,september1 #ahdd1 he said3-- ,my esteemed friend1 beloved brother1 7and may ,i add7 dear son3 ,these epithets you know come from a warm heart2 a heart of friendship1 affection1 and love1 without dissimulation4 ,if you have a friend in this little wicked and deceitful world it is ,george ,ferguson4 ,i have watched you in all your movements from first to last with great anxiety and deep concern4 ,your welfare and prosperity ,i have1 do1 and will rejoice in2 and when you are touched in character1 or otherwise1 ,i feel it acutely4 ,when ,i understood what you intended to undertake1 and hearing the clamour among the people1 ,i felt awful1 not that ,i feared that any production or argument coming from your pen would be controverted successfully4 ,i believe that your last production is unanswerable on logical1 constitutional1 and fair1 honest principles1 but ,i was afraid that it would not accomplish the end for which it was designed2 for the people1 generally1 had run mad1 formerly by the word reform1 and now they are insane by the word responsible4 ,i fear that the ,governor will lose the elections in ,canada ,west4 ,your pamphlet may1 it is true1 be a text book to the next ,parliament1 and keep them right from fear4 ,i was not afraid that you had committed yourself with the ,conference and the ,church after all the fuss preachers and people made in this respect1 7and ,i am of opinion many would have been glad of it7 but ,i had my serious fears that it would injure your enjoyments in religion1 and be a source of temptation that would cause you to leave the ministry4 ,but ,i hope and pray that one who has stood against all the bribes1 baits1 and offers made to buy him1 when but a boy1 will be upheld4 ,oh6 no1 no2 having ,christ in the soul1 walking with ,god1 having secret communion and fellowship with the ,deity continually1 with your talents and qualifications what a treasure to the ,church6 and the good you would be made the happy instrument of doing6 ,this is true honour1 real dignity1 true popularity1 and eternal wealth4 ,i would rather go to the grave with you dying well1 than ever hear that my beloved ,egerton was lost to the ,church4 ,but1 my dear son1 you have need to watch1 to stand fast1 to be strong1 and acquit thyself as a man2 to have an eye single to the glory of the ,lord1 to keep the munition1 to watch the way4 ,you never will be out of danger till you get to heaven4 ,be much in secret prayer and communion with your ,maker4 ,these simple truths come from a father in his #bith year of his ministry--one that is1 in every sense of the word1 superannuated1 and one that will shortly be known no more4 99 99 99 99 99 ,hon4 ,r4 ,b4 ,sullivan 7under the nom de plume of ,legion7 in a series of thirteen letters1 with appendix1 extending to #bcb pages of a pamphlet1 replied to ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,defence of ,lord ,metcalfe4 ,these letters were afterwards reviewed by ,dr4 ,ryerson in a series of ten letters1 extending to #fc pages of a pamphlet4 ,this review was in the form of a rejoinder1 but in it no new principles of government were discussed4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,defence proper1 was originally published1 as was his review of ,legion's letters1 in the ,british ,colonist1 then edited by the late ,hugh ,scobie1 ,esq4 ,the ,defence was afterwards published in pamphlet form1 and extended to #ahf pages4 ,,chapter ,,xliii4 #ahda-ahdd4 ,dr4 ,ryerson ,appointed ,superintendent of ,education4 ,the alleged reward which ,dr4 ,ryerson was positively asserted to have received from ,lord ,metcalfe for his memorable ,defence of that nobleman1 was long a favourite topic on which ,dr4 ,ryerson's enemies loved to dilate4 ,beyond the fact that the appointment was finally made by the administration of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 upon the recommendation of ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,draper1 there was nothing on which to base the charge of such a quid pro quo having been received by ,dr4 ,ryerson for his notable ,defence of the ,governor-,general4 ,in point of fact1 the appointment was first spoken of to ,dr4 ,ryerson by ,lord ,sydenham himself1 in the autumn of #ahda4 ,the particulars of that circumstance are mentioned in detail in a letter written by ,dr4 ,ryerson to ,t4 ,w4 ,c4 ,murdoch1 ,esq41 ,private ,secretary to ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 on the #adth ,january1 #ahdb4 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,in the last interview with which ,i was honoured by ,lord ,sydenham1 he intimated that he thought ,i might be more usefully employed for this country than in my present limited sphere2 and whether there was not some position in which ,i could more advantageously serve the country at large4 ,i remarked that ,i could not resign my present official position in the ,church1 with the advocacy of whose interests ,i had been entrusted1 until their final and satisfactory adjustment by the ,government1 as ,i might thereby be represented as having abandoned or sacrificed their interests2 but that after such adjustment ,i should feel myself very differently situated1 and free to do anything which might be beneficial to the country1 and which involved no compromise of my professional character2 that ,i knew of no such position likely to be at the disposal of the ,government except the ,superintendency of ,common ,schools 7provided for in the ,bill then before the ,legislature71 which office would afford the incumbent a most favorable opportunity1 by his communications1 preparation and recommendation of books for libraries1 etc41 to abolish differences and jealousies on minor points2 to promote agreement on great principles and interests2 to introduce the best kind of reading for the youth of the country2 and the not onerous duties of which office would also afford him leisure to prepare publications calculated to teach the people at large to appreciate1 upon high moral and social considerations1 the institutions established amongst them2 and to furnish1 from time to time1 such expositions of great principles and measures of the administration as would secure the proper appreciation and support of them on the part of the people at large4 ,lord ,sydenham expressed himself as highly gratified at this expression of my views and feelings2 but the passing of the ,bill was then doubtful1 although ,his ,lordship expressed his determination to get it passed if possible1 and give effect to what he had proposed to me1 and which was then contemplated by him4 ,apart from this statement of the intentions of ,lord ,sydenham1 it is also clear that the determination of ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe to appoint ,dr4 ,ryerson to a position in which he could carry out a comprehensive scheme of ,public ,school ,education1 in ,upper ,canada1 was come to some time before the question of the difference between ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe and his late ,councillors had engaged ,dr4 ,ryerson's attention1 and even at a time when his impressions on the subject were against the ,governor-,general4 ,this conclusion was arrived at by ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 after full and frequent conversations with ,dr4 ,ryerson on the subject of the ,university ,bill4 ,with a view to avail himself of ,dr4 ,ryerson's knowledge and judgment on that subject1 he directed his ,private ,secretary to address the following note to him on the #ahth of ,december1 #ahdc3-- ,one of the many important subjects that at present engages the attention of the ,governor-,general your ,church is particularly interested in1 and ,his ,excellency is1 therefore1 desirous of having the benefit of your opinion upon it4 ,i mean the consideration of the arrangements that are now necessary in consequence of the failure of the ,university ,bill introduced last session4 ,i beg to add that ,his ,excellency will be happy to have some conversation with you on the question to which ,i allude1 the first time you may visit this part of the province4 ,not having been able to go at once to ,kingston1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to the ,governor-,general in regard to the ,university ,bill4 ,his ,secretary replied early in ,january1 saying3-- ,when it suits your convenience to come this way1 ,his ,excellency will have an opportunity of fully discussing the subject touched upon in your letter4 ,dr4 ,ryerson soon afterwards went to ,kingston and saw ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe on the subject4 ,in a letter written to ,hon4 ,w4 ,h4 ,merritt shortly after this interview1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,his ,excellency's object in desiring me to wait upon him had reference to the ,university question1 on which he intends1 with the aid of ,mr4 ,draper1 etc41 to have a measure brought into the ,legislature1 which ,i think will be satisfactory to all parties concerned4 ,i took a day to consider the questions he had proposed4 ,in the meantime ,i saw ,mr4 ,s4 ,b4 ,harrison and stated to him the opinions ,i had formed4 ,of their correctness and importance1 and practicability he seemed to be fully satisfied1 and urged me to state them to ,his ,excellency4 ,in a letter from ,dr4 ,ryerson1 published in the ,guardian1 and dated #bhth ,october1 #ahdc1 the character of ,mr4 ,baldwin's ,university ,bill is thus described3-- ,it is a measure worthy of the most enlightened government2 and is1 ,i have reason to know1 entirely the production of ,hon4 ,attorney-,general ,baldwin4444 ,in the discussion on the ,university question the authorities of ,victoria ,college have taken no part4 ,we have remained perfectly silent and neutral1 not because we had no opinion as to the policy which has been recently pursued in converting a ,provincial ministry into a ,church of ,england one#abd 444 because we1 as a body1 had more to lose than to gain by any proposed plan to remedy the abuse and evil complained of4 ,as a body1 we gain nothing by the ,university ,bill1 should it become a law2 it only provides for the continuance of the small annual aid which the ,parliament has already granted2 whilst1 of course1 it takes away the ,university powers and privileges of ,victoria ,college--making it a ,college of the ,university of ,toronto4 ,our omission1 therefore1 from the ,bill would be preferable1 as far as we1 as a party1 are concerned1 were it consistent with the general and important objects of the measure4 ,but such an omission would destroy the very character and object of the ,bill4 ,as a ,provincial measure1 it cannot fail to confer unspeakable benefits upon the country4 ,viewing the measure in this light1 the ,board of ,victoria ,college have consented to resign certain of their rights and privileges for the accomplishment of general objects so comprehensive and important4 ,in a written statement on this subject prepared by ,dr4 ,ryerson for this volume he says3-- ,towards the close of #ahdc1 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe determined to prepare and give effect to a liberal measure on the ,university question--on which subject ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin had proposed elaborate and comprehensive resolutions4 ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe sent for me to consult with me on the ,university question1 as ,i was then connected with one of the colleges4 ,i explained to ,his ,excellency my views1 and added that the educational condition of the country at large was deplorable1 and should be considered in a system of public instruction1 commencing with the ,common ,school and terminating with the ,university2 being connected and harmonious throughout1 and equally embracing all classes without respect to religious sect or political party4 ,sir ,charles was much impressed and pleased with my views1 and expressed a wish that ,i could be induced to give them public effect4 ,dr4 ,ryerson then goes on to say3--,i remarked to ,sir ,charles that ,lord ,sydenham1 a few days before his sudden death1 had proposed the same thing to me1 and that had he survived a few weeks1 ,i would likely have been appointed1 with a view of organizing a system of ,elementary ,education2 but that as ,lord ,sydenham died suddenly1 and as ,i scorned to be an applicant to ,government for any office1 ,i mentioned the fact to no member of the ,government4 ,in ,may1 #ahdb1 another gentleman was appointed ,assistant to the ,provincial ,secretary as ,superintendent of ,education4 ,he was treated as a clerk in the office of the ,provincial ,secretary1 having no clerk himself1 and having to submit his drafts of letters1 etc41 to the ,provincial ,secretary for approval4 ,for particulars of this appointment1 see p4 #cdg4 ,after this interview ,dr4 ,ryerson1 on the #bfth ,february1 wrote to the ,governor-,general on the ,university ,question4 ,mr4 ,secretary ,higginson replied1 and at the conclusion of his letter repeated the offer which ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe had made at the close of the year3--,the ,governor-,general is so sensible of the great value of the aid you would bring to the ,government in the intellectual improvement of the country1 that he anxiously hopes1 as suggested1 that some arrangement may be devised satisfactory to you to obtain your co-operation2 and ,his ,excellency will keep his mind bent on that object1 and will be happy to hear any further suggestion from you with a view to its accomplishment4 ,early in this month 7,february1 #ahdd71 ,dr4 ,ryerson's appointment as ,superintendent of ,education has been talked of4 ,his brother ,john wrote to him on the #fth of ,march1 recalling the fact of that appointment having been the subject of conversation with ,sir ,charles ,bagot and some members of the ,cabinet in #ahdb4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson then went on to say3-- ,you know that when your appointment to the office of ,superintendent of ,education was talked of in ,toronto1 in #ahdb1 ,i was in favour of your accepting the appointment4 ,the appointment that was made ,i thought a most unwise one1 and the late ,executive greatly lowered themselves in making it4 ,whenever ,i have thought of the thing since1 ,i have felt disgusted with the late ,government1 that they should have been guilty of such a shameful dereliction of duty and honour as not1 at least1 to have offered the appointment to you4 ,in reply to this letter1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,as liberal as the ,council of ,sir ,charles ,bagot were in many things1 they rejected the application of every ,methodist candidate for office4 ,making appointments upon the principles of party1 they must be given only to one of the party2 a system of appointment which holds out a poor prospect to the ,methodist who makes religion first1 and party not more than second--especially when he may have as a rival candidate one who makes party everything1 and religion nothing4 ,to this letter ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson replied3-- ,i am very well pleased with the idea of your being appointed to the office of ,superintendent of ,education--an office for which1 ,i think1 you are better qualified than any other person in the ,province1 and an office in which you can be of more service to the ,church1 and the country generally1 than in any other way4444 ,you say the appointment is not political4444 ,yet1 is it true1 in point of fact1 that the appointment is not political8444 ,would any person be continued in the office who would not support the ,government for the time being8444 ,did not ,lord ,sydenham create this office for the very purpose of connecting the incumbent with the ,government1 and did he not have you in his mind's eye when he influenced this part of the enactment8444 ,there is no doubt1 however1 that in case of the ,baldwin ,ministry again coming into power1 the stool will be knocked from under you4 ,and we should not forget that the success of the ,governor-,general1 in carrying out his contemplated measures1 respecting the ,university1 ,colleges1 etc41 depends upon the ,parliament2 and ,i have very little expectation of his being able to secure the support of the present ,parliament1 in connection with every other ,ministry but the late ones2 and what will be the result of another election1 who can tell8 ,in corroboration of the foregoing statements1 ,hon4 ,isaac ,buchanan1 in a letter to the ,editor of this volume dated #bdth ,march1 #ahhc1 says3-- ,being on the other side of the ,atlantic from the fall of #ahda to that of #ahdc1 ,i was not in circumstances to know to what extent the name of ,dr4 ,ryerson was discussed prior to the appointment of ,mr4 ,murray in ,may1 #ahdb2 but ,i cannot believe that the minds of many who knew him to be the fittest man1 could have been otherwise than on ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,on the contrary1 ,i believe that nothing prevented him being gladly offered the originating of an educational system for ,upper ,canada--a ,province which he knew so well and loved so much--but the most unworthy church prejudices of parties who had influence with the ,government of the day1 for it was known to be a herculean task which no one could do the same justice to as ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and which few men 7however great as scholars themselves7 could have carried through at all4 ,thus from the foregoing statements of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 and ,hon4 ,isaac ,buchanan1 the following facts clearly appear3-- #a4 ,that ,dr4 ,ryerson was offered the appointment of ,superintendent of ,education by ,lord ,sydenham in #ahda1 and had he survived a few weeks ,dr4 ,ryerson would likely have been appointed1 with a view of organizing a system of ,elementary ,education for ,upper ,canada4 #b4 ,that ,dr4 ,ryerson's appointment as ,superintendent was the subject of conversation with ,sir ,charles ,bagot and some members of his ,cabinet in #ahdb4 #c4 ,that the failure to appoint ,dr4 ,ryerson was due to the fact that the ,cabinet of ,sir ,charles ,bagot--the ,governor himself being unable to act--rejected1 as ,dr4 ,ryerson himself stated1 the application of every ,methodist candidate for office2 or1 as ,hon4 ,isaac ,buchanan states3 ,nothing prevented ,dr4 ,ryerson being gladly offered the originating of an educational system for ,upper ,canada1 but the most unworthy church prejudices of parties who had influence with the ,government of the day4 #d4 ,that the appointment of ,dr4 ,ryerson by ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe was due to the discussion on the comprehensive scheme of education which took place between ,dr4 ,ryerson and ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe1 on the ,university question1 late in #ahdc4 ,it may be proper to state that the appointment of ,rev4 ,robert ,murray in ,may1 #ahdb1 was a surprise to the public1 as the ,editor of this volume well remembers1 and was1 as ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson states1 a most unwise one4 ,mr4 ,murray was a minister of the ,church of ,scotland at ,oakville4 ,he was chiefly known at the time as an anti-temperance writer#abe2 but had never been known to have taken any special interest in education4 ,he was intimate with ,hon4 ,s4 ,b4 ,harrison1 who owned mills at ,bronte1 a few miles west of ,oakville1 where ,mr4 ,harrison resided for some years4 ,to ,mr4 ,harrison1 the then leader of the ,government1 ,mr4 ,murray was indebted1 as was then understood1 for the appointment4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson having written to his brother ,egerton1 asking if the rumour of his appointment as ,superintendent of ,education was true1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied1 on the #crd ,april3-- ,as to the appointment to which you allude1 it is but a rumour4 ,no appointment has yet been made4 ,should it take place1 it will not require my removal from ,cobourg4 ,whatever has been proposed to me on that subject1 has been proposed with a view of giving body1 form1 practical character and efficiency1 to a system of general education1 upon these non-sectarian principles of equal justice which have characterized my life4 ,nothing political is involved in the appointment--although it was at first proposed to give me a seat in the ,council6 ,the education of the people has nothing to do with the dispute with ,lord ,metcalfe1 of which you speak4 ,i do not think it would become me to refuse to occupy the most splendid field of usefulness that could engage the energies of man1 because of the dispute which has arisen4 ,on the #abth ,april1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied to a letter from ,mr4 ,secretary ,higginson1 in which he said3-- ,dr4 ,bethune1 the ,editor of ,the ,church1 has indeed protested against my proposed appointment2#abf but ,i understand that a majority of the members of his own congregation at ,cobourg approve of the appointment4 ,mr4 ,boswell1 ,m4,p4,p41 and ,mr4 ,sheriff ,rultan 7the most influential churchmen in the ,district71 have expressed themselves in favour of it in the strongest and warmest terms2 as have ,mr4 ,keefer1 of ,thorold 7who is a magistrate of wealth1 leisure and benevolence1--was foreman of the ,grand ,jury at the late assizes in the ,niagara ,district1 and has1 at the request of the ,district ,council1 consented to superintend the schools in that district72 also ,dr4 ,beadle1 who is an old resident1 and ,i believe1 an ,american ,presbyterian4 ,up to this time 7,april71 ,dr4 ,ryerson had decided to take no part in the controversy between ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe and his ,councillors1 but to devote his energies to the great work of founding a system of education for his native country4 ,much to the surprise of his friends1 and 7as he says in his prefatory paper7 without consulting a human being1 he felt that it was his duty--after the issue of the manifesto of the ,toronto ,league--to relinquish the work assigned to him1 and once more to take up his pen in defence of one whom he believed to be in the right1 and yet who was left single-handed to meet the storm of popular clamour which had been excited against him by combined and powerful enemies4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 therefore1 determined to decline the appointment offered to him1 and to abide the issue of the impending contest in which he proposed to take a prominent part4 ,in the opening remarks of this memorable ,defence1 he said3-- ,i was about entering upon the peaceful work--a work extensive and varied beyond the powers of the most untiring and vigorous intellect--a work down to this time almost entirely neglected--of devising and constructing 7by the concurrence of the people1 through their ,district ,councils7 a fabric of ,provincial common school education--of endeavouring to stud the land with appropriate school-houses--of supplying them with appropriate books and teachers--of raising a wretched employment to an honourable profession--of giving uniformity1 simplicity1 and efficiency to a general system of elementary educational instruction--of bringing appropriate books for the improvement of his profession within the reach of every school-master1 and increased facilities for the attainment of his stipulated remuneration--of establishing a library in every district1 and extending branches of it into every township--of striving to develop by writing and discourses1 in towns1 villages and neighbourhoods1 the latent intellect1 the most precious wealth of the country--and of leaving no effort unemployed within the limited range of my humble abilities1 to make ,western ,canada what she is capable of being made1 the brightest gem in the crown of ,her ,britannic ,majesty4 ,such was the work about to be assigned to me2 and such was the work ,i was resolving1 in humble dependence upon the divine aid1 to undertake2 and no heart bounds more than mine with desire1 and hope1 and joy1 at the prospect of seeing1 at no distant day1 every child of my native land in the school-going way2 and every intellect provided with the appropriate elements of sustenance and enjoyment2 and of witnessing one comprehensive and unique system of education1 from the a1 b1 c1 of the child1 up to the matriculation of the youth into the ,provincial ,university1 which1 like the vaulted arch of heaven1 would exhibit an identity of character throughout1 and present an aspect of equal benignity to every sect1 and every party upon the broad basis of our common ,christianity4 ,but ,i arrest myself from such a work--leave it perhaps for other hands1 and the glory of its accomplishment to deck another's brow2 and1 if need be1 to resign every other official situation2 and1 unsolicited1 unadvised by any human being--inwardly impelled by a conviction of what is due to my ,sovereign1 to my country1 to a fellow-man--,i take up the pen of vindication1 of reasoning1 of warning and appeal1 against criminations and proceedings of impending evil1 which1 if they be not checked and arrested1 will accomplish more than the infamous ostracism of an ,aristides1 render every other effort to improve and elevate ,canada abortive1 and strew in wide-spread desolation over the land the ruins of the throne and its government4 ,from the date of ,mr4 ,higginson's letter 7#abth ,april7 until the #gth of ,september nothing was done in regard to the appointment of a ,superintendent of ,education4 ,on the latter day1 however1 ,mr4 ,higginson wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson as follows3-- ,we find a great difficulty in making a provisional arrangement for the ,educational duties4 ,the ,university authorities require the immediate services of a mathematical professor1 and ,his ,excellency proposes ,mr4 ,murray for the office1 which will1 it is hoped1 be a satisfactory arrangement to all parties2 but ,mr4 ,murray cannot hold both positions1 even for a time4 ,under these circumstances it appears to be worthy of consideration1 whether your appointment ought not to take place at once1 which would not1 of course1 interfere with your projected visit to ,europe in ,november1 when it might be easier to make some proper temporary provision for the performance of your duties during your absence4 ,his ,excellency is aware that you were in favour of deferring your nomination until after your return from ,europe2 and if you should adhere to this opinion1 you may1 perhaps1 be able to suggest some means of meeting the apparent difficulty4 ,on the #ahth ,september1 ,mr4 ,higginson addressed another note to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in reply to one from him1 in which he said3 ,you will have learned from my last note that ,sir ,charles approved of all your suggestions1 except the non-announcement of your appointment4 ,as you see reason to alter your opinion on this point1 the difficulty is removed1 and you shall be gazetted in the last week of the month1 as you propose4 ,i wish1 with you1 that the ,college question could be settled in ,england1 if we could only prevail on the contending parties to agree to a case of facts4 ,this might be accomplished1 and ,i am not without hope that some scheme may be devised to which no party will have just ground of objection4 ,i shall write to you upon this subject as soon as anything is determined on4 ,at this point ,i resume the narrative which ,dr4 ,ryerson had prepared for this volume in regard to his appointment3--,in ,september1 #ahdd1 a vacancy occurred in the ,professorship of ,mathematics in the ,university of ,toronto1 by the resignation and return to ,england of ,mr4 ,potter2 and1 as the gentleman who had been appointed to the ,education branch of the ,secretary's ,office1 was reputed to be an excellent mathematician1 and had high testimonials of his qualification1 he applied for the professorship2 evidently feeling the anomalousness of his position1 and his inability and powerlessness to establish a system of ,public ,school ,education4#abg ,the ,governor-,general appointed him to the ,mathematical ,professorship1 and formally offered the ,education ,office to me4 ,i laid the official letter containing the offer before the executive authority 7a large committee7 of my ,church1 and was advised to accept it4 ,but as ,i had determined to abide by the decision of the country as to the principles of its future government1 on which ,i was then appealing to it1 ,i determined not to accept of office until ,i should know the result of that appeal4 ,after the endorsement of my views by all the constituencies of ,upper ,canada1 with eight exceptions1 ,i felt no hesitation1 in accepting an office which had been some months before offered to me4 ,the draft of my official instructions1 stating the scope and design of my appointment and of the task assigned to me1 was written by myself1 at the request of ,mr4 ,secretary ,daly1 afterwards ,governor in ,australia4 ,during my connection with the ,education ,department--from #ahdd to #ahgf--;,i made five educational tours of inspection and enquiry to educating countries in ,europe and the ,united ,states4 ,i made an official tour through each county in ,upper ,canada1 once in every five years1 to hold a ,county ,convention of municipal councillors1 clergy1 school-trustees1 teachers and local superintendents1 and thus developed the ,school system as the result of repeated inquiries in foreign countries1 and the freest consultation with my fellow-citizens of all classes1 in the several ,county ,conventions1 as well as on many other occasions4 ,during the nearly thirty-two years of my administration of the ,education ,department1 ,i met with strong opposition at first from individuals--some on personal1 others on religious and political grounds2 but that opposition was1 for most part1 partial and evanescent4 ,during these years ,i had the support of each successive administration of ,government1 whether of one party or the other1 and1 at length1 the co-operation of all religious persuasions2 so that in #ahgf ,i was allowed to retire1 with the good-will of all political parties and religious denominations1 and without diminution of my public means of subsistence4 ,i leave to ,dr4 ,j4 ,george ,hodgins1 my devoted friend of over forty years1 and my able colleague for over thirty of these years1 the duty of filling up the details of our united labours in founding a system of education for my native ,province which is spoken of in terms of strong commendation1 not only within1 but by people outside of the ,dominion4 99 99 99 99 99 ,note4--,it is the purpose of the ,editor of this book 7in accordance with ,dr4 ,ryerson's oft expressed wish7 to prepare another volume1 giving1 from private letters1 memoranda1 and various documents1 a personal history of the founding and vicissitudes of our educational system from #ahdd to #ahgf inclusive4 ,,footnotes3 #abd ,the second resolution adopted by the ,victoria ,college ,board1 on the #bdth ,october1 #ahdc1 says3--the noble and comprehensive objects of the amended ,charter have been entirely defeated2 and the abrogated1 sectarian ,charter has been virtually restored1 by the partial and exclusive manner in which appointments to that institution have been made1 and its affairs managed2 apart from the misappropriations of large portions of its funds4 #abe ,in ,september1 #ahci1 ,rev4 ,robert ,murray1 of ,oakville1 published a series of lectures on ,absolute ,abstinence4 ,from a review of these lectures1 by ,dr4 ,ryerson in the ,guardian of the #ahth of that month1 ,i make the following extracts3-- ,we confess we have seldom read anything so illiberal and sweeping4444 ,the principle of total abstinence is wholly repudiated1 and temperance societies are forbidden an existence4444 ,but such a work 444 shall not by us be allowed to go forth without the accompaniment of our decided reprobation4 ,this is not the day for encouragement to be given to the drunkard1 nor this the time when a ,minister of the ,gospel is 444 to fill the cup of death and present it to his fellows without an attempt being made to dash it to the ground4 ,the following extract from the second lecture1 relating to the fulfilment of a certain prophecy in the book of ,jeremiah1 is given by ,dr4 ,ryerson3-- ,many of you1 ,i am persuaded1 have witnessed this prophecy fulfilled to the very letter4 ,have you never seen young men making themselves cheerful with malt liquors1 while the young maids were producing the same effect with the blood of the grape8 ,nor is there the slightest doubt on my mind1 that the prophet hailed this event as a special manifestation of the great goodness of ,god4 ,it was in reference to the author of such opinions1 and the advocate of such views1 that ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson used the language quoted on the preceding page4 #abf ,on the #aith ,october1 #ahdd1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was appointed ,superintendent of ,education for ,upper ,canada4 ,of his appointment1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bethune1 ,editor of ,the ,church1 on the #beth ,october1 said3--,it was an impolitic and a heartless step1 as regards the ,church of ,england in this colony1 to raise to the office of ,superintendent an individual who has thriven upon his political obliquities1 and who owes his fame1 or rather his notoriety1 to his unquenchable dislike to the ,national ,church4 ,in a moment of danger we can forget the injury2 but it must not be thought that we shall sit quietly beneath the wrong4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bethune subsequently changed his opinion of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and1 when ,bishop of ,toronto1 referred to him in some of his public utterances in very kind and complimentary terms4 #abg ,in regard to this appointment1 the ,hon4 ,isaac ,buchanan1 in a letter to the ,editor of this volume1 dated ,march1 #ahhc1 said3--,i was one of the first to see the necessity of our getting ,dr4 ,ryerson to take hold of our ,educational system1 and ,i shared the somewhat delicate duty of getting our esteemed friend1 ,rev4 ,robert ,murray 7whom we had got appointed ,assistant-,superintendent of ,education71 to accept a professorship at the ,toronto ,university1 when ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson succeeded to the vacant post in #ahdd4 ,,chapter ,,xliv4 #ahdd-ahdf4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,first ,educational ,tour in ,europe4 ,dr4 ,ryerson left ,canada for ,europe in ,november1 #ahdd1 on his first educational tour through ,europe4 ,he visited and examined into the educational systems of ,belgium1 ,france1 ,italy1 ,bavaria1 ,austria1 the ,german ,states1 and ,switzerland4 ,he kept a full diary of his travels4 ,much of it is out of date1 but ,i shall give those portions of it which relate to his personal history1 and his impressions of men and things4 ,the epitome of these travels which he had prepared is as follows3-- ,england4--,scenery of ,essex and ,kent from the ,thames2 landing in ,holland2 its scenery1 palaces1 school system1 schools1 universities1 museums1 principal cities and towns1 churches1 canals and roads4 ,belgium4--,from ,utrecht to ,antwerp--cathedral1 churches1 schools1 museums2 ,rubens' paintings2 ,brussels--schools2 ,htel de ,ville1 etc42 field of ,waterloo2 ,belgian school system2 ,howard's ,model ,prison2 convent2 university buildings4 ,france4--,journey to ,paris2 curiosities and peculiarities of ,paris2 acquaintance with the ,protestant clergy2 my residence and employments there for three months1 to qualify myself to speak as well as write official letters1 etc41 in the ,french language4 ,from ,paris to ,rome4--,modes of travel2 places viewed on the way2 ,orleans1 ,loire1 ,lyons1 ,rhone1 ,avignon1 ,nismes1 ,montpellier1 ,arles2 antiquities2 ,marseilles1 ,genoa1 ,leghorn1 ,civita ,vecchia1 to ,rome4 ,rome4--,three weeks among its antiquities1 palaces1 churches1 colleges and schools4 ,june #acth1 #ahde4--,naples2 the peasants on the way from ,rome to ,naples2 ,vesuvius1 ,herculaneum1 ,pompeii1 museums1 hospitals1 college1 schools4 ,june #bjth4--,in a steamer from ,naples to ,leghorn1 thence in a hired coach to ,pisa and ,florence1--beautiful country1 and highly cultivated4 ,employed four weeks in studying the institutions and peculiarities of ,florence2 no beggars or ,jesuits allowed in ,florence2 the grand ,duke a father to his people4 ,july #aith4--,proceeded to ,bologna1 re-enter the ,papal dominions1 and crossed the ,appenines2 views2 a ,normal ,school at ,bologna1 containing #a1jjj pupils1 and a ,foundling ,hospital with #c1jjj children4 ,july #bcrd4--,left ,bologna in a vetturina1 in company with two agreeable gentlemen1 a ,german and an ,american2 ,ferrara2 reached the ,po1 where we entered ,austrian dominions2 when we entered the first custom-house in ,italy1 the head officers of which did not ask for money1 and declined it when offered to them4 ,crossed the ,adige2 interesting places2 thence to ,venice1 where ,i spend four days in that wondrous city4 ,bavaria4--,in a stage by the ,trent1 through the ,tyrolese ,alps to ,munich1 capital of ,bavaria1 where ,i employed nineteen days in visiting its schools and museums1 conversing with the professors4 ,from ,munich by stage to ,ratisbon2 down the ,danube to ,luiz and ,vienna--the most perfect city in its buildings1 streets1 and gardens ,i had visited4 ,gave a day to go down the ,danube to the capital of ,hungary4 ,bohemia4--,from ,vienna1 through ,bohemia1 by the first train on the then new railroad to ,prague2 women working on the railroad4 ,saxony and ,germany4--,from ,prague to ,dresden--visits to schools2 thence to ,leipsic--visits to public buildings1 schools1 and university2 thence to ,halle--,franke's foundations1 and other schools2 to ,wittemburg--,luther and ,melancthon4 ,prussia4--,berlin1 ,sept4 #hth4--,examination of its various institutions1 schools1 and its university2 ,hanover1 ,cologne1 ,mayence1 ,wiesbaden1 ,frankfort1 ,strasbourg1 ,ble1 ,zrich2 school of ,m4 ,fellenburg2 ,lausanne--,geneva--to ,paris4 ,episode in my ,european travels1 #ahdd1 etc4--,acquaintance and travel with a ,russian nobleman1 who becomes a ,catholic priest--the ,pope's ,nuncio at the ,court to have the ,canadian school regulations for ,separate ,school translated and published in the ,bavarian newspapers2 also requested me to be the bearer of a medal to ,cardinal ,antonelli4 ,rome2 presentation to1 and interview with1 the ,pope4 ,london--,february #bbnd1 #ahde4--,started this morning in company with a young ,russian nobleman 7,dunjowski71 for the ,continent4 ,we commenced our voyage on the ,thames1 wending our way amidst shoals of craft of all descriptions4 ,the most prominent object in the river was the new ,great ,britain iron steamer2 she seemed to preside ,queen of the waters2 excelling every other ship1 as much in the beauty and elegance of her form1 as in the vastness of her dimensions4 ,on our left lay ,essex1 rising gradually at a distance from the river2 the undulating surface presents a high state of cultivation1 variegated by stately mansions1 farm-houses1 and villages4 ,on the right lay ,kent1 remarkable for its historical recollections4 ,the chalk-hills near ,purfleet1 the men working in them1 also the lime and sand1 attracted my attention as a novelty ,i had never before witnessed4 ,we had a tolerable view of ,gravesend1 the great thoroughfare of south-eastern ,england4 ,we passed the ancient village of ,tilbury ,fort1 and ,sheerness4 ,we arrived at ,holland on ,sunday morning 7about twenty hours from ,london71 but could not ascend the river to ,rotterdam on account of the ice4 ,we therefore steamed to ,screvinning1 a village on the sea-shore1 about three miles from the ,hague4 ,there were about fifty fishing-boats lying on the shore1 high and dry1 with their prows to the sea1 as the tide was out4 ,i was struck with their shortness1 breadth1 strength1 and clam-like shape of their bottoms1 with a portion in the centre perfectly flat4 ,the speed of these curiously-constructed crafts is considerable2 they sail close to the wind2 having boards at the side as a substitute for a keel4 ,our mode of landing was novel4 ,the boats were run aground1 when several stout ,dutch sailors jumped into the water nearly waist deep1 and each took a passenger on his shoulders1 soon placing him on terra firma4 ,i have travelled in a great variety of ways1 but ,i was never before placed on a man's shoulders1 astride of his neck2 but in this way ,i took my leave of the ,german ,ocean4 ,there is not a rock to be seen on the shore2 which consists of fine sand thrown up from the sea1 and forms a bank about twenty feet high2 the highest land on the coast of ,holland1 forming a ridge from one to three miles wide along the northern coast4 ,screvinning is principally inhabited by fishermen4 ,the road to the ,hague is perfectly straight1 level1 and smooth1 lying between two rows of oak trees1 one row of which divides between it and a collateral canal--the accompaniment of every road throughout ,holland4 ,at #e p4m4 we went to the ,french ,protestant ,church1 the place in which the famous ,saurin delivered his eloquent discourses4 ,the congregation was thin2 my emotions and recollections of ,saurin contrasted with the present preacher and congregation4 ,the pulpit was at the side2 the form of the church was amphi-theatrical4 ,i noticed old ,bibles1 and ,psalms2 the text was ,luke xxiii #bg-bh4 ,a moderate preacher1 calm1 solemn and graceful2 baptisms after the service4 ,went from the ,french to the ,english ,church2 only fifteen persons were present1 including ourselves4 ,i spoke to the clergyman 7,mr4 ,beresford71 introducing ourselves1 and the object of our mission4 ,february1 #bdth4--,went to the ,british ,embassy with ,rev4 ,mr4 ,beresford2 from thence to the ,royal ,library2 and then proceeded to the ,chinese and ,japanese collection of curiosities2 then on to the ,gallery of ,paintings2 some very exquisite4 ,from thence to the residence of the ,russian 7,greek7 clergyman1 ,chaplain to the ,queen of ,holland1 who kindly shewed us the ,queen's private apartments--refined taste1 and great magnificence4 ,then on to a ,protestant school1 of about #hjj poor children1 which is supported by subscription4 ,the ,king is a subscriber to the amount of #a1jjj guilders4 ,the teachers consist of a head master and four assistants4 ,no monitors2 admirable construction of the seats2 excellent order of the children2 rod never used--shame1 the chief instrument of correction2 fine specimens of painting2 ,scriptures read1 and prayers four times a day2 salary of the head master #a1jjj guilders1 and assistants from #cjj to #djj2 books furnished to the children1 and all the stationery2 an excellent building1 well-ventilated1 comfortably warm1 and perfectly clean2 the children remain from six to twelve years of age4 ,saw the ,british ,charg d',affaires1 who procured me a general letter of introduction to teachers1 etc41 throughout ,holland1 from the ,minister of the ,interior4 ,visited the largest and principal free school at the ,hague2 it contains about eleven hundred children1 girls and boys1 taught by a head-master1 aided by a second1 and five other under-masters1 and five assistants1 lads from fifteen to eighteen years of age4 ,no master ever sits1 or has a seat to sit on4 ,were conducted by the ,russian clergymen to the palace again2 the state apartments were splendid indeed2 collection of paintings extensive and most select2 hot-houses and gardens delightful4 ,spent the evening with this gentleman1 and was deeply interested in his conversation on his own labours1 and the customs and character of the ,hollanders4 ,february #beth4--,left the ,hague for ,leyden4 ,the country perfectly level1 looking like a low meadow won from the empire of water by the industry of man1 intersected by dykes and canals1 interspersed with villas and good private dwellings2 here and there a wood of twenty or fifty years growth4 ,on our way we visited ,dr4 de ,rendt1 who keeps the most select private school in ,holland for the first class of nobility and gentry4 ,february #bfth--,leyden4--,attended the ,university1 and conversed at large with the ,inspector of ,schools for the district1 ,mr4 ,blusse1 who gave the history1 and explained the whole system of elementary education in ,holland4 ,visited six schools1 admirable upon the whole4 ,three thousand poor children are taught in them1 at an expense to the ,state4 ,visited the ,museum1 ,university1 and ,library2 then proceeded to ,haarlem1 examined the schoolrooms of the celebrated ,mr4 ,prinsen and afterwards heard his own views of the essentials of a good system of popular education3 his remarks were profound and practical4 ,he remarked1 a good system of education consists in the men4 ,theory and practice make the teacher4 ,the government of the head1 how acquired and how exercised4 ,few books2 much exposition4 ,his business for forty-four years has been to make school-masters4 ,religious instruction1 history of his own career and of his own school4 ,afterwards examined ,casler's monument and the church2 heard the organ1 and proceeded to ,amsterdam4 ,feb4 #bgth--,amsterdam4--,had some talk with the ,government ,inspector of ,schools4 ,visited a school1 taught by a ,roman ,catholic1 in which there were #iej children in one room1 all quiet1 and all attentive4 ,there were four masters and twelve assistants4 ,they have prayers four times a day4 ,feby4 #bhth4--,went to ,saundau4 ,reflections on ,peter the ,great4 ,visited the palace1 its paintings and museum4 ,took supper with the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,jameson1 ,episcopal clergyman4 ,march #ast--,belgium4--,proceeded to ,utrecht1 thence to ,antwerp4 ,march #bnd--,sunday4--,went to the cathedral2 paintings by ,rubens2 earnestness and oratory of the preacher4 ,went to ,st4 ,pauls2 the streets very quiet4 ,march #crd4--,visited the ,jesuit's church1 and three schools2 phonic and ,lancasterian method of learning4 ,visited the museum1 the city1 the view from the tower of the cathedral1 statues of ,rubens1 of the ,virgin and ,saviour4 ,proceeded to ,brussels2 visited three schools2 courteously received2 arrangements good4 ,visited the ,hotel de ,ville2 ,gobelin tapestry2 history of ,clovis2 abdication of ,charles ,v4 ,paintings4 ,reflections4 ,march #dth4--,spent three hours in examining the field of ,waterloo4 ,went to ,nivelles and visited the ,normal ,school for south ,belgium2 all the arrangements perfect4 ,returned to ,brussels4 ,march #crd4--,left ,brussels for ,ghent2 met a commissioner at the railway station1 and visited the ,government ,model ,school2 the views of the intelligent master were very excellent4 ,called on a ,doctor to whom ,i had a letter of introduction4 ,he explained the school system of ,belgium with great clearness4 ,visited the prison1 the celebrated establishment that excited the admiration of ,howard1 and after the model of which several prisons in ,england and ,america have been built4 ,there were about twelve hundred prisoners--arrangements wonderful1 discipline apparently perfect--kept by twenty-eight men4 ,visited a poorhouse1 a benevolent establishment to assist poor old people2 about three hundred inmates2 grateful feelings1 sympathy4 ,visited the celebrated convent1 containing about eight hundred nuns1 who come and remain voluntarily2 none1 it is said1 have ever left4 ,visited the university buildings--the best ,i have seen on the continent2 lecture-rooms very fine4 ,left for ,lille1 in ,france2 courteously treated at the ,french custom house4 ,march #hth--,paris4--,on our way from ,lille we crossed a branch of the ,rhine and the ,meuse on the ice2 country level and well cultivated2 passed ,cambray and other towns4 ,walked to the park1 ,tuileries1 to the ,triumphal ,arch of ,napoleon--a world of magnificence4 ,march #ith4--,studying ,french2 walked through and around the ,palais ,royale in the boulevards--noble1 splendid4 ,march #ajth--,sunday4--,attended the ,wesleyan chapel--about one hundred present--then the ,english ,church2 thence to the ,madeleine ,church--most magnificent2 congregation vast2 music and chanting excellent beyond description2 discourse read2 paintings and sculpture fine2 church built by ,napoleon4 ,march #aath4--,went to ,dr4 ,grampier1 the director of the ,french ,protestant ,evangelical ,mission1 a pious man1 an able author1 at the head of an excellent institution having missions in ,africa as well as in different parts of ,france4 ,march #abth4--,removed to new lodgings2 tolerably comfortable4 ,march #acth4--,went to the university2 heard lecture on history2 ,attended an evening party at ,dr4 ,grampier's2 was introduced to several gentlemen of rank and wealth4 ,singing and reading of the ,scriptures2 much pleased with the party2 as many ladies as gentlemen2 assembled at eight1 broke up at eleven o'clock4 ,march #adth4--,heard a most splendid lecture on astronomy from the celebrated ,arago2 audience very large2 the professor had no notes2 the subject was light--comets1 causes of the changes in the color of the stars1 etc41 etc42 lecture two hours1 much cheered4 ,march #aeth4--,went to the ,french ,chamber of ,deputies2 saw ,guizot4 ,difference between the ,french ,chamber of ,deputies and the ,british ,house of ,commons struck me--#ast4 ,the more ample accommodations for members2 #bnd4 ,the little attention which appeared to be paid to the ,president of the ,chamber2 #crd4 ,in the members going to the tribune to speak1 and reading their speeches2 #dth4 ,in the position of the different officers of the ,house2 #eth4 ,the fine appearance of the servants1 and the very convenient accommodations for them2 #fth4 ,the superior accommodations for strangers4 ,heard two lectures at the university1 one on mineralogy2 lecture good2 specimens numerous--the other on electricity2 splendid lecturer2 fine illustrations4 ,march #afth--,sunday4--,went to the ,oratoire1 the principal ,protestant place of worship2 about seventy catechumens admitted2 the dress of the females white4 ,sermon by ,mr4 ,monod2 text--,mon fils1 donne-moi ton coeur2 very practical and impressive2 the singing peculiarly touching4 ,he is a complete talking machine2 read from ,lamartine1 as did ,m4 ,delille beautifully and effectively4 ,march #agth4--,close application to the study of ,french all day4 ,anecdotes at breakfast respecting the pride of ,victor ,hugo4 ,walked along the ,seine1 then across the river into ,notre ,dame--the ,westminister ,abbey of ,paris--worthy of the appellation4 ,march #ahth4--,pursued my studies till #g p4m41 when ,i attended a party given by ,count ,gasparin1 ,m4,h4,d41 who1 with his father1 is styled the ,wilberforce of ,france--the one being a member of the ,house of ,peers1 the other of the ,house of ,deputies4 ,they are regarded as the representatives of ,protestantism in the ,french ,legislature4 ,had a good deal of conversation with ,dr4 ,grampier1 on the strength1 state1 and prospects of ,protestantism in ,france2 also the mode of instructing young persons for public recognition in the ,church1 and admission to the ,holy ,communion4 ,these catechumens are instructed two or three times a week1 for six months1 in the evidences1 doctrines1 and morals of ,christianity4 ,they are then examined1 and if they shew themselves qualified1 they are publicly admitted4 ,the ceremony of admission takes place twice a year1 a little before ,easter1 and at ,pentecost4 ,none are admitted under fifteen years of age4 ,dr4 ,grampier considered that ,protestantism was decidedly gaining upon ,popery2 and that his own university had been as successful amongst the ,catholics1 as amongst ,protestants1 in genuine heart conversions2 that whole congregations in some parts of ,france had embraced ,protestantism4 ,his remarks respecting ,guizot were interesting and curious4 ,the mother of this great man is now eighty-four years of age1 a woman of great vigour of mind2 a saint1 and nursing-mother in ,israel2 she offers daily prayers for her son4 ,guizot is an orthodox ,protestant1 employed ,dr4 ,grampier to instruct and prepare his children for the ,holy ,communion1 but never goes to church himself1 but has told ,dr4 ,grampier that he prays every day4 ,he has been much afflicted in the loss of two wives whom he greatly loved2 and also of a son1 about twenty-one1 a young man of most amiable disposition1 great acquirements1 talents and virtues4 ,conversed also with ,count ,gasparin1 who appears to be a truly converted man2 spoke of the inefficiency of a formal religion1 and the necessity of the religion of the heart4 ,mentioned the readiness of ,roman ,catholics to hear ,protestant missionaries4 ,he believes that ,god is about to do a great work in ,france4 ,the ,count is an author2 his father has been ,minister of the ,interior4 ,march #aith4--,heard lecture on chemistry by ,prof4 ,dumas1 one of the ablest chemists of the present day1 and a most eloquent lecturer4 ,march #bjth--,good ,friday4--,went to hear a ,protestant clergyman1 one of the most pious and able ministers in ,paris2 his manner unaffected1 eloquent1 and impressive4 ,no organ2 singing good1 all sang4 ,it being a holy day1 crowds were everywhere2 streets for miles were filled with three1 and sometimes four lines of carriages1 of all descriptions2 the broad sidewalks were literally crowded with pedestrians1 forming solid masses from twenty to fifty feet wide1 and extending two miles4 ,order was preserved by soldiers and cavalry1 stationed at short distances4 ,i never saw such a moving mass of people1 embracing1 no doubt1 every nation in ,europe and ,america4 ,the attractions of the harlequins1 jugglers1 hucksters1 etc41 of all descriptions1 surpass imagination4 ,i walked to ,napoleon's ,arch of ,triumph2 observed the inscriptions and remarkable figures on that elegant and extraordinary structure2 ascended to the top1 and there enjoyed one of the most magnificent views ,i ever beheld1 embracing all ,paris and its environs for many miles1 the day being cloudless2 the serpentine ,seine1 the richly cultivated country1 its parks1 its gardens1 its arcades of trees1 its villas1 churches1 colleges1 hospitals1 palaces1 squares1 and monuments1 together with the elegant ,tuileries1 the noble ,louvre1 the magnificent ,champs ,elyses1 the playing fountains1 the spacious streets1 and the moving masses of people1 presented a scene which for variety1 splendour1 and ,i may add1 solemnity1 could not be excelled by any prospect that might have been commanded on the pinnacle of ,jerusalem's ,temple4 ,in fifty years the mass of this vast multitude will be numbered amongst a bygone generation2 and these stately works of art shall perish4 ,what a worm am ,i amongst such a multitude6 yet ,i am destined to immortality2 have but a few years to live in a probationary state1 but an eternity to exist6 ,march #bast4--,went to the ,louvre to see the paintings2 about two thousand in number2 some large and splendid1 many beautiful1 and some affecting2 none of the paintings from sacred history equal those ,i have seen in ,england1 ,holland1 and ,belgium1 especially in ,antwerp4 ,march #bbnd--,easter4--,went to the ,oratoire1 where a discourse was delivered1 and the ,lord's ,supper celebrated4 ,the preacher1 ,mons4 ,venueil1 was so impressive and affecting that the greater part of the congregation were in tears several times4 ,being ,easter ,sunday1 his subject was the resurrection1 of ,christ4 ,he reminded me of ,saurin4 ,the spectacle presented of the communicants standing around a long table1 and the minister in the midst1 at one side1 distributing the emblems with suitable addresses1 reminded me of pictures ,i have seen of ,christ at the ,last ,supper4 ,the catechumens who had been received on the previous ,sabbath1 first partook4 ,i1 for the first time1 communed with ,french ,protestants1 and ,i felt it good to be there4 ,i attended the ,wesleyan chapel2 service in ,french2 congregation about seventy-five2 preacher 7a little ,frenchman71 quite animated2 he quoted many passages of ,scripture1 chapter and verse1 proving the universality of the ,atonement4 ,the communion followed4 ,march #bdth1 #ahde4--,this day ,i am forty-two years of age6 ,my life is more than half gone1 at the best4 ,the recollections of the past year are painful and humiliating beyond expression4 ,it has been the least spiritual year of my ,christian life4 ,for some weeks past ,i have been revived in my purposes1 devotions and enjoyments4 ,by ,god's grace1 my future life and labours shall be ,his4 ,i have never before felt so keenly the weakness and depravity of the human heart2 nor have ,i ever felt so deeply the necessity and the sufficiency of the atoning blood of ,christ4 ,he is all4 ,all is wretchedness and death without ,him4 ,march #bfth4--,worked very hard at my ,french studies2 much discouraged1 but must not abandon my efforts to speak a new language4 ,visited the ,pantheon--wondrous structure--a sovereign's pride1 and a nation's monument4 ,visited the tombs of the dead2 ascended to the dome--magnificent view2 fine paintings in fresco4 ,my impressions will never be effaced4 ,this evening was in company with ,count ,gasparin and his noble father1 and ,mr4 ,monod1 one of the principal ,protestant ministers in ,paris4 ,mr4 ,monod spoke strongly of ,puseyism2 mentioned that he was at a school this week where there were twelve ,protestant young ladies sent from ,england to be educated in a ,papal school1 and every one of them had become ,roman ,catholics4 ,he told me there was no intercourse between the ,protestants in ,france and ,holland2 he considers vital religion is advancing in ,holland4 ,march #bgth4--,went to the ,observatoire2 heard lecture from ,mons4 ,arago2 room crowded4 ,visited the beautiful gardens of the ,luxembourg4 ,march #cjth4--,heard ,mons4 ,armand ,delille 7my host7 preach1 in ,dr4 ,grampier's ,church2 impressive service1 and a comfortable place of worship outside the gates of the city4 ,march #cast4--,commenced receiving lessons in ,french from ,mons4 ,o4 ,de ,lille2 believe ,i shall soon be able to speak4 ,the name of ,god be praised for ,his help and blessing6 ,april #bnd4--,went to the ,college 7,sorbonne72 heard a lecture on ,botany4 ,april #crd4--,was strongly talked with for not speaking ,french2 ,oh1 that ,god would help me2 ,i desire to employ it to ,his honour4 ,heard ,mons4 ,arago on ,astronomy4 ,april #eth4--,commenced conversing in ,french1 in good earnest4 ,heard a lecture by ,mons4 ,despretz on ,modern ,history1 in which the eloquent lecturer drew a parallel between ,france and ,rome1 and the reign of ,augustus and the career of ,buonaparte1 of course in favour of the latter4 ,april #fth--,sabbath4--,attended church both morning and evening4 ,received this morning a present of several books in ,french from the pious author of them2 read the description and reflections upon ,jsus ,bnissant les ,enfants2 was deeply affected with the remembrance of the manner in which my most pious and excellent mother brought me1 in various ways1 to the ,saviour1 when ,i was a little boy4 ,i owe my all to her1 as a divinely-owned instrument1 in my early conversion and dedication of myself to ,god and ,his ,church4 ,she is now on the verge of heaven--may grace strengthen me to meet her there4 ,april #gth4--,heard four lectures this day on law1 chemistry1 theology1 and philosophy4 ,the lecture on theology was on the authenticity of the ,scriptures--comparing the prophecies of ,isaiah with the narrative of the evangelists4 ,lecture on philosophy was devoted to an admirable analysis of ,locke4 ,april #hth4--,attended four lectures at the university at #i o'clock4 ,droit de la nature et des nations1 7in the college of ,france7 by ,mons4 de ,postels2 ,posie latine1 by ,m4 ,patin1 the subject was ,horace2 ,anatomie1 physiologie comp4 et zoologie1 by ,de ,blainville2 much of geological theory2 ,physique-,acoustique1 by ,m4 ,despretz2 musical instruments4 ,april #ith4--,have attended five lectures3 ,histoire de ,littrature ,grecque1 by ,egger2 ,histoire ,ecclsiastique1 by l',abbe ,jager2 ,botanique anat4 et ,physiologie ,vgtales1 by ,payer2 ,thologie ,morale1 by l',abbe ,receveur4 ,april #ajth4--,attended three full lectures1 and part of a fourth4 #ast4 ,eloquence latine--,cicero1 by ,m4 ,hanet2 #bnd4 ,histoire ,moderne1 by ,m4 ,michelet1 celebrated1 7,collge de ,france7 crowded audience and much applause2 #crd4 ,littrature ,grecque2 #dth4 ,histoire ,moderne1 par ,m4 ,sornement4 ,i understood more than ,i ever did before4 ,the name of the ,lord be praised6 ,april #aath4--,attended five lectures4 #ast4 ,civil ,law of ,france2 #bnd4 ,astronomical ,geography2 #crd4 ,sacred ,literature2 #dth4 ,botany and ,vegetable ,physiology2 #eth4 ,french ,eloquence4 ,read ,french and ,english with a young collegian4 ,the name of the ,lord be praised for the goodness of this day1 and for the success of my labours6 ,april #abth4--,was enabled to make a long recitation this morning1 and have attended five lectures at the university4 ,received a parcel from ,london1 furnishing me with ,canadian papers2 how refreshing is news from home in a foreign country4 ,thus has my heavenly ,father blest me with all good things4 ,april #acth--,sabbath4--,attended service at the ,chapelle ,tailbout2 ,m4 ,bridel preached on prayer2 thence to the ,wesleyan ,chapel1 which was crowded4 ,read the religious intelligence from ,canada4 ,i rejoice to hear of the doings of my brethren2 the success of the work in their hands2 hope still to labour with them4 ,april #adth4--,attended four lectures at the university1 besides my studies4 ,i pray my heavenly ,father to assist and prosper my exertions4 ,i can do nothing without confidence in ,him4 ,to the glory of ,his name shall the fruit of my unworthy labours be consecrated4 ,april #aeth4--,attended the meeting of the ,socit des ,introits gnraux du ,protestantisme franais4 ,proceedings commenced with prayer4 ,the meeting was addressed by a number of pasteurs2 most of the speakers had notes4 ,also attended the annual meeting of the ,socit des ,traits religieux in the ,chapelle ,tailbout2 report well read2 speeches short and energetic4 ,april #afth4--,attended the ,conference of the ,protestant ,pastors1 in the ,consistory of the ,oratoire4 ,about sixty present2 the proceedings opened with prayer4 ,the ,president then asked the members present to propose the subject of their friendly conversation2 several were proposed4 ,two hours brotherly conversation took place on the duties1 powers1 and interests of the synod4 ,most of those who spoke had notes2 delivered their sentiments sitting2 were asked in order4 ,attended the twenty-fifth anniversary of the ,socit ,biblique ,protestante2 commenced with prayer and singing4 ,the ,count de ,gasparin spoke extemporaneously1 and with great elegance and ease4 ,a number spoke with energy and force2 the last speaker selected passages to show that the ,gospel is not incomprehensible to the vulgar1 as ,romanists assert2 also attended the annual meeting of the ,socit ,evanglique de ,france2 ,chairman read a very short address2 several spoke2 ,m4 de ,gasparin concluded by prayer4 ,april #agth4--,attended the ,conference of ,pastors2 the proceedings the same as yesterday4 ,at the annual meeting of the ,socit des ,missions ,evanglique2 the chair was occupied by a venerable old man1 who seemed1 from the allusions made1 to be an old friend and supporter of the ,society4 ,the aged ,president read with a feeble voice a short address4 ,there were nine speakers2 the last the venerable ,monod1 who delivered a charge and parting address to the young men who were going to ,africa4 ,he embraced in his address the marrow of the ,gospel1 its power1 its promises1 its preciousness4 ,the young men were deeply affected1 as were all present4 ,he directed them to the power and promises of ,christ2 assured them of the continued sympathy of the ,protestant pastors and churches of ,france4 ,another pastor volunteered a few words of address to the young men1 on the distribution of religious tracts1 and everywhere proclaiming themselves as the missionaries of ,christ from ,france4 ,there was a most affectionate greeting of pastors and old friends4 ,in the ,consistory ,chapel of the ,oratoire de l',eglise1 there are four busts of ministers whose memory is cherished by their survivors4 ,the names and epitaphs are as follows3--7#a7 ,f4 ,methezet--,il se repose de ses travaux et ses oeuvres le suivent4 7#b7 ,j4,a4 ,barbant--,je sais en qui j'ai cru4 7#c7 ,j4 ,monod--,christ est ma vie1 et la mort est gain4 7#d7 ,p4 ,h4 ,marron--,o mort o est ton aiguillon6 ,o spulcre o est ta victoire6 ,april #ahth4--,attended the annual meeting of the ,socit ,biblique ,franoise et ,etrangre4 ,count de ,gasparin in the chair2 speeches spirited2 details of report interesting and encouraging4 ,went to ,dr4 ,grampier's2 a social meeting of pastors1 to converse and pray on the subject of ,missions2 subject of conversations2 the ,missionary work and spirit4 ,from thence went to an annual party1 where there was much of fashion and elegance2 magnificent tea2 peculiar manners2 conversed with ,mr4 ,touse1 an ,english clergyman1 and with ,m4 ,g4 de ,gasparin4 ,april #aith4--,attended the annual meeting of the ,socit pour l'encouragement et l'instruction primairie le protestants de ,france4 ,the ,protestants are not satisfied with the system of mixed schools2 they wish to have exclusively ,protestant schools4 ,the report was full1 explicit1 and decided4 ,several speeches from the principal ,protestant ministers1 dwelling upon religious instruction in primary schools4 ,attended the morning conference2 nothing new in the proceedings2 but there was a marriage2 but neither groomsmen nor bridesmaids4 ,address of the pastor4 ,the bride led by her father1 the brother-in-law leading the bridegroom2 salutations of friends2 the presentation of the wedding-ring by the father of the bride2 presentation of a ,bible to the newly-married couple2 touching offering to the poor4 ,april #bjth--,sabbath4--,went to the ,institution des ,diaconesses de l'glise ,evanglique de ,france4 ,the situation is delightful4 ,several addresses and statements of affairs4 ,employed the evening in religious study4 ,witnessed much lightness among certain ministers of the ,protestant ,reformed ,church4 ,the prevalent views here respecting the sanctity of the ,sabbath are very different from those which prevail either in ,england or ,canada4 ,april #beth4--,visited several schools of the ,protestant dissenters in ,paris--called ,ecoles ,gratuits4 ,the first was the ,female ,normal ,school1 containing nineteen pupils4 ,i was impressed with the admirable arrangement of the school and its appliances1 as well as the taste and neatness of the botanical garden4 ,the dormitory was plain1 neat1 and airy2 in it on the wall were pasted the following passages of ,scripture1 viz41 ,psalms xv4 #e41 ,amos iv4 #ab4 ,there were two schools for boys and girls attached to the institution1 but these several departments constitute one school--all ,roman ,catholic children taught by ,protestants1 on strictly ,protestant principles4 ,the priests make no opposition4 ,people independent of the priests4 ,april #bfth4--,pursued my studies with encouraging success4 ,visited ,m4 ,toase who gave me useful information4 ,april #bgth--,sabbath4--,heard ,m4 ,toase2 went afterwards to the ,madeleine2 building magnificent2 passed through the garden of the ,tuileries2 a paradise of a place2 shades2 walks2 grass-plots2 lakes2 fountains2 fish2 statues2 amusements2 but1 alas6 what profanation of the ,sabbath6 ,april #cjth4--,went to ,versailles2 grand and little ,trainon1 magnificent4 ,may #ast4--,the ,king's birthday and fte2 illuminations2 fireworks2 appearance of the ,king ,louis ,philippe on the balcony of the palace4 ,the ,tuileries2 the ,champs ,elyses2 booths2 ftes2 riding2 examples of physical strength2 girls riding2 jumping2 great multitudes2 good order preserved2 ,church of ,st4 ,roch2 music2 saw ,lord ,cowley2 his kindness in lending me his ticket for the ,house of ,peers2 getting recommendations from the ,government2 documents on education1 etc4 ,may #crd4--,visited ,notre ,dame2 ,htel-,dieu2 ,chambre des ,pairs2 ,chapelle2 gallery of paintings2 nuns2 few peers present2 old men2 session short2 not imposing2 fine paintings in the ,chapel2 admirable selection in the gallery2 answer from ,lord ,cowley4 ,may #hth4--,have devoted several days to study1 nothing worthy of remark4 ,may #ith4--,left ,paris for ,lyons2 on the top of the diligence on the railroad to ,orleans1 level1 fertile country2 passed through ,orleans2 saw ,cathedral2 ,jeanne d',arc2 ,loire2 historical recollections4 ,may #abth4--,examined the curiosities of the town2 rough-looking people2 homage to the ,virgin2 ,htel du ,midi2 view from the ,observatoire2 ,roman antiquities4 ,may #acth4--,left ,lyons in a steamer for ,avignon2 confluence of the ,rhone and ,soane2 varied1 beautiful1 and sometimes bold2 romantic scenery on the ,rhone4 ,vienne2 vineyards2 wines2 ,st4 ,villars2 ,pontius ,pilate2 river very narrow and crooked2 ,roch de ,tain2 ,hannibal2 vista of the valley of the ,isre2 ,alps2 ,valence2 ,st4 ,pay2 ,percy2 wine of ,st4 ,peroy2 ,castle of ,crupol2 ,drme2 ,montilvart2 ,viviers2 rocks2 canal2 ,ardiche2 ,paul ,st4 ,esprit1 great curiosity2 ,roquemon2 women carrying stones2 noble and extensive work on the banks of the river1 and in the erection of new bridges4 ,may #adth4--,avignon2 wall2 view from the tower of the ,cathedral2 visit it2 paintings very beautiful2 palace2 inquisition2 left ,avignon for ,beaucaire2 river uninteresting2 thence to ,nismes by railway2 poor country2 asses and mules used2 women shoeing them2 people athletic1 but very passionate and quarrelsome4 ,may #aeth4--,examined the antiquities of ,nismes2 truly wonderful and interesting4 ,may #afth4--,arrived at ,montpellier2 narrow streets2 ,citadel ,fountaine2 promenade2 ,jardin des ,plantes2 ,mrs4 ,temple's tomb2 read a passage from ,young's ,night ,thoughts there2 ,baunia ,palm2 ,ecole de ,mdicine2 ,cathedral2 ,museum of ,painting4 ,may #agth4--,returned to ,nismes2 revisited the ,amphitheatre and the ,maison ,care2 beautiful in proportion and execution4 ,returned to ,beacaise2 visited the ,castle2 very high1 and remarkably strong2 crossed the river to examine a castle1 now a prison2 historical recollections of both castles4 ,visited the ,church dedicated to ,st4 ,martha2 curious front4 ,visited ,st4 ,martha's ,tomb2 felt awful in the grim darkness1 rendered barely visible by the flickering lamp2 inscription at the head of the ,tomb3 ,solicita ,noritubatur2 singular well2 old women in the ,church2 the ,image of ,st4 ,martha1 with its knees and feet worn by kissing4 ,proceeded to ,cette2 the ,amphitheatre is by no means as well preserved as that of ,nismes1 but larger2 the walls immeasurably thick4 ,saw the remains of a ,roman theatre2 its curious workmanship attests its former magnificence4 ,may #ahth--,sabbath4--,back at ,marseilles1 but no ,sabbath here2 theatres all open1 and crowds pressing into them2 saw some curious handbills about the ,pope granting indulgences2 holy water in the churches2 children using it4 ,may #bjth4--,coast from ,marseilles1 bold1 varied1 picturesque2 barren rocks2 vineyards and olive trees2 entrance into the bay and harbor of ,genoa very beautiful4 ,may #bast4--,in ,genoa the streets are very narrow2 the buildings very high2 the city clean2 all preferable to ,paris2 left for ,leghorn4 ,may #bbnd4--,at ,leghorn1 visited ,smollet's tomb4 ,at ,pisa1 saw the leaning tower2 baptistry1 etc4 ,may #bcrd4--,entered ,rome at sunset4 ,we could see ,st4 ,peter's more than fifteen miles off4 ,may #beth4--,commenced visiting the churches of the city4 #a4 ,temple of ,antonius2 column to his honour1 and his victories inscribed4 #b4 ,church of ,st4 ,ignazia2 tomb of ,gregory ,,xv4 #c4 ,pantheon of ,agrippa--built #bb ,b4,c41 of ,oriental granite brought from ,egypt4 ,the obelisk is from the ,temple of ,isis4 #d4 ,in the second chapel to the left1 ,raphael was buried in #aebj4 ,he gave orders to his scholar ,lorenzetto to make the statue of the ,virgin1 behind which he is buried4 ,it is ornamented by gold and silver offerings of trinkets1 rings1 and bracelets4 #eth4 ,piazza della ,minerva--formerly ,temple of ,minerva1 another of ,isis1 another of ,serapis1 now a church obelisk4 ,statue of ,michael ,angelo4 #f4 ,roman ,college4 #g4 ,palace of ,prince ,doria4 ,in the picture gallery ,i was especially struck by a beautiful painting of the ,holy ,family2 also ,titian1 by himself1 his last work4 ,visited the ,church of ,st4 ,joseph--under which was the ,mamertine ,prison1 where ,st4 ,paul was confined4 ,arch of ,titus4 ,the ,church of ,st4 ,peter's in ,vincola has twenty pillars from the ,diocletian ,bath1 two of them ,oriental granite4 ,michael ,angelo's last work is a marble figure of ,moses1 with the two tables of the law under his right arm1--magnificent4 ,there are also twelve magnificent marble figures of the twelve apostles4 ,may #bfth4--,church of ,st4 ,maria1 in ,villicella2 festival in honour of ,st4 ,fillippo4 ,high mass was celebrated in presence of the ,pope and cardinals4 ,i stood near the altar1 and had a good view of them all4 ,the ,pope passed twice within a few feet of me2 was carried in a splendid chair by twelve men1 who passed up the aisle into the vestry4 ,he is eighty years of age1 good looking and walked with a firm step2 he blessed the people as he passed4 ,the cardinals kissed the ,pope's hand1 the priests his toe or foot4 ,next went to the ,church of the ,jesuits1 where there is a splendid representation of ,religion1 giving the foot to ,protestant heresy in the person of ,luther and ,calvin4 ,june #ast--,sunday4--,went to the ,roman ,college to the worship of the congregation of ,jesuits4 ,in another hall a discourse was being delivered to the pupils1 some four hundred being present4 ,at ,st4 ,paul's1 was shown the house in which ,st4 ,paul resided during two years a prisoner in ,rome4 ,witnessed an extraordinary but most impressive service in the celebrated ,amphitheatre1 where1 it is said1 #bjj1jjj ,christians were put to death in two centuries4 ,june #fth4--,during the last five days have been studying ,italian1 and revisiting some of the more remarkable remains of ,roman antiquities1 colleges1 and schools2 also a prison for women1 well managed and arranged2 much attention is paid to their religious instruction4 ,june #ajth--,sabbath4--,visited the ,churches of ,st4 ,john1 and ,maria ,maggiore2 visited one of the most important and interesting schools of the ,christian ,brothers2 #djj pupils taught by four masters2 #d1jjj pupils are taught by the same fraternity4 ,visited also the ,college of ,propaganda2 was shewn by the ,rector over the whole establishment2 it is wonderful1 the influence of which is felt in all lands2 he shewed me the oldest and most curious ,,mss4 ,i ever saw4 ,june #adth4--,arrived at ,naples1 after a stage journey of thirty hours4 ,peasants very lazy2 passed the murdered body of a man4 ,as we advanced we observed a great change in the manners and habits of the people4 ,june #aeth--,sabbath4--,vesuvius was splendid last night1 to a degree1 ,i understand that has not been seen since #ahci4 ,visited the ,poor ,house2 the establishment accommodates upwards of #b1jjj4 ,june #afth4--,visited ,pompeii1 and ,herculaneum1 and ,vesuvius4 ,met with the ,jesuit ,prefect of ,educational ,institutions2 and a ,priest from the ,united ,states4 ,from the ,jesuit ,i obtained a full account of the educational institutions in ,naples2 from the ,american ,priest much useful information on various subjects4 ,ascended ,mount ,vesuvius2 when we reached the summit my face was burnt2 lava falling all round us--,god of dreadful majesty1 who art a consuming fire6 ,beheld here the setting sun--,god of glory who art the light of the world6 ,descending we reached our hotel about midnight2 thank ,god for ,his protection and mercy4 ,june #ahth4--,went to the museum to examine the antiquities of ,herculaneum and ,pompeii4 ,left for ,leghorn4 ,june #bjth--,pisa4--,took a coach with two other gentlemen2 a beautiful ride of eight hours along the valley of the ,arno1 from ,pisa to ,florence4 ,the best cultivated country1 and the best looking peasantry ,i have ever seen2 the river walled1 and the bridges fine4 ,june #bdth4--,the celebration of the ,feast of ,john the ,baptist1 commenced by a chariot race1 after the fashion of the chariots in the games of the ,greeks and ,romans4 ,june #bfth4--,the ,grand ,duke of ,tuscany will not allow ,jesuits in his dominion2 but in ,naples the ,jesuits are all powerful--confessors to the king and royal family--and that even an artist cannot get employment who has not a ,jesuit for a confessor4 ,july #aith4--,this day ,i leave ,florence after four weeks of study1 and acquaintance with its schools1 arts and science4 ,july #bjth--,bologna4--,crossed the ,appenines1 and had a view of the ,adriatic4 ,visited the ,scoules ,normali1 containing upwards of #a1jjj pupils4 ,july #bcrd4--,left ,bologna in a vetturina for ,ferrara1 in company with a ,german and two ,americans4 ,ferrara is fallen1 forsaken1 solitary4 ,july #beth4--,crossed the ,po in a curious ferry-boat1 and entered the ,lombardo-,venetian dominions of ,austria4 ,here ,i met with the first instance in ,italy of money not being asked by ,custom ,house officers2 every part of the proceeding indicated dignity unknown to the ,papal ,states4 ,crossed the ,adige by a ferry2 passed through ,monselice1 near which is the town and castle of ,este4 ,north of ,este is ,argna1 or ,argnota1 where ,petrarch retreated1 dwelt1 and died6 ,next passed through ,battaglia and ,padua2 on the left is ,abano1 the birth-place of ,livy4 ,gothic laggia1 vast hall1 said to be the largest unsupported roof in the world1 built by ,frate ,giovanni2 bust and tomb of ,livy4 ,july #cjth4--,came on to ,venice1 where we spent four days2 a wondrous city4 ,august #dth4--,have been in ,munich nineteen days2 visited its museum1 churches1 elementary schools1 c41 c42 conversed with many professors4 ,august #beth4--,left ,munich2 passed through ,landsport2 arrived at ,ratisbon2 visited ,valhalla2 descended the ,danube to ,linz4 ,sept4 #crd4--,the city of ,vienna is the most perfect ,i have seen1 in its buildings1 streets1 gardens1 etc42 it would furnish me with materials for a volume were ,i a writer of travels4 ,sept4 #dth4--,came through ,bohemia by the first railroad train from ,vienna to ,prague1 where ,i remained two days4 ,the houses in the villages through which we passed1 were all of one story1 thatched with straw2 the peasants wear skins1 and women work on the railroads4 ,sept4 #eth4--,left ,prague in a small steamer for ,dresden2 visited ,dr4 ,blockman's school2 every appurtenance2 very complete schools1 both public and private4 ,from thence on to ,leipsic2 visited all the principal buildings2 visited the ,burgher school1 designed for the education of the middle ranks1 and those of the upper ranks1 if desired4 ,sept4 #aeth and #afth4--,from ,leipsic went on to ,halle 7in ,prussia72 visited the schools on ,franke's ,foundations2 several farms belong to the establishment2 there are six schools1 rather small2 there are free scholars1 orphans1 and money scholars4 ,went to the ,university4 ,sept4 #agth--,wittemburg4--,this morning visited the church in which ,luther first preached the doctrines of the ,reformation1 and where both ,luther and ,melancthon are buried2 ,i ascended the pulpit1 and there prayed that the spirit of the ,reformation might more abundantly rest upon me2 ,i experienced strong sensations on entering the church2 it is a plain building with a few monuments2 the statue 7bronze7 of ,luther is in the market-place1 with the words3-- ,ist's ,gottes ,werk1 so wird's bestehen2 ,ist's ,menschen1 so wird's untergehen4 ,we then visited the house in which ,melancthon lived1 now being repaired2 ,luther's chamber in the convent2 his study1 with his chair1 table1 and stove2 his library1 his bed-room2 at his table ,i knelt and prayed1 and renewed my covenant with my ,god4 ,i afterwards visited the place where ,luther burnt the ,pope's ,bull4 ,sept4 #ahth--,berlin4--,employed the day in visiting the great schools of this magnificent city3 ,frederick ,william ,gymnasium1 ,dorothean ,higher ,city ,school1 ,royal ,red ,school1 embracing both the classical and scientific departments2 went over the establishment4 ,sept4 #aith4--,visited the ,university and ,picture ,gallery2 went through all the apartments of the ,city ,trade ,school2 the collection of apparatus and specimens to carry out the course of instruction is perhaps the most complete in ,prussia1 in schools of this class4 ,sept4 #bjth4--,potsdam--a magnificent place2 went into the ,court1 and visited several of the rooms of the ,royal ,military ,school--a noble establishment2 visited the ,normal ,school2 witnessed the teaching of two of the pupil-teachers1--both used the blackboard1 and both appeared thorough masters of what they were teaching1 using no books1--other pupil-teachers were looking on2 never saw a finer class of young men4 ,sept4 #bcrd4--,berlin4 ,dined with the ,british ,ambassador1 and had an interview with the ,prussian ,minister of ,public ,instruction2 witnessed the semi-annual parade of the ,prussian army--more than #aj1jjj men2 saw also the ,king of ,prussia and the ,empress of ,russia4 ,sept4 #bdth4--,hanover4 ,passed through several townships2 visited the ,palace2 saw the gold and silver plate1 much of which belonged to former ,british ,sovereigns2 visited ,herrenhausen1 favourite residence of ,george ,i4 and ,,ii4 of ,england4 ,sept4 #bhth4--,cologne4 ,visited ,cathedral and ,churches2 saw the tomb of ,charlemagne1 and the house in which ,rubens was born4 ,oct4 #ast4--,bonn4 ,saw the ,university buildings2 saw the great ,catholic ,normal ,school1 at ,bright4 ,oct4 #bnd4--,mayence4 ,ascended the ,rhine from ,bonn1--embracing all the magnificent scenery of this celebrated river4 ,oct4 #crd4--,visited ,wiesbaden1 capital of ,hesse-,cassel2 went to ,frankfort2 visited ,burgher ,school there1 #gjj children4 ,birth-place and monument of ,goethe4 ,oct4 #eth4--,strasburg4 ,left ,frankfort2 passed through ,darmstadt2 heard two sermons in ,french1 and one in ,german2 visited the magnificent ,cathedral1 and ,normal ,school4 ,oct4 #gth4--,zurich4 ,came to ,ble yesterday2 arrived here this morning2 visited the great ,cantonal ,industrial ,school--noble building4 ,oct4 #hth4--,cargon4 ,obtained much information from the director of the ,gymnase1 ,real and ,higher ,burgher ,school here4 ,oct4 #ith4--,berne4 ,travelled through a mountainous and picturesque country to ,papiermhle2 walked three miles to the celebrated school of ,m4 de ,fallenberg2 had the whole system explained--gymnasium1 real1 intermediate1 poor1 and limited to the number of thirty2 dined at the ,agricultural ,school1--situated on a gentle hill1 in the midst of the valley of ,switzerland1 surrounded by mountains1--,i have been abundantly repaid in spending a whole day in surveying such an establishment4 ,oct4 #aath4--,lausanne4 ,fine view of the ,alps2 visited the garden where ,gibbon finished his ,history on the rise and fall of the ,roman ,empire4 ,oct4 #abth4--,geneva4 ,arrived here in heavy rain2 attended three services2 visited the tomb of ,sir ,h4 ,davy2 had a fine view of ,mt4 ,blanc2 left for ,paris4 ,,chapter ,,xlv4 #ahdd-aheg4 ,episode in ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,european ,travels4--,pope ,pius ,,ix4 ,one of the many episodes in my ,european travels which ,i have been requested by many to narrate led to my presentation to ,pope ,pius ,,ix41 and is as follows3-- ,on my arrival in ,england on my first educational tour1 near the end of #ahdd1 ,i was invited to a ,christmas dinner party at the house of an ,english clergyman1 where ,i was introduced to a young ,russian nobleman1 by the name of ,dunjowski1 who had attended lectures in several ,german universities1 and came to ,england to learn the ,english language1 in which he soon became a proficient4 ,during his residence in ,england he became acquainted with a number of distinguished men1 noblemen and others2 among whom were the late ,rev4 ,dr4 ,chalmers4 ,this young ,russian nobleman1 having learned that ,i was on a tour of investigation of the educational institutions of ,europe1 proposed before the close of the evening to join me in investigating the educational institutions of western and central ,europe1 with a view to his writing an account of them on his return to ,st4 ,petersburg4 ,i accepted his proposal2 and in the course of a few weeks we commenced our tour through ,holland and ,belgium to ,paris1 of which some account will be found in the extracts from my ,journal in the preceding ,chapter4 ,at ,paris my ,russian friend conceived the idea of attending another course of lectures on some branch of ,roman law at ,tubigen4 ,we parted1 but he changed his mind1 and instead of attending an additional course of lectures in a ,german university1 he proceeded to ,rome4 ,a few weeks after my arrival there1 ,i felt a tap on my shoulder at the dinner table1 and1 on looking up1 ,i recognized my young ,russian friend1 who was already speaking ,italian1 with as much fluency as he had spoken ,english1 ,french1 and ,german1 when we parted at ,paris six weeks before4 ,we renewed our travels together1 after having completed our tour of ,rome1 with its antiquities and institutions2 we proceeded to ,naples by stage1 where we spent several days in examining its ,college of ,nobles and other educational institutions1 including its antiquities of ,herculaneum and ,pompeii1 ,vesuvius1 etc4 ,in the ,college of ,nobles we met an ,american ,priest1 who was ,president of the ,roman ,catholic ,college at ,georgetown1 near ,washington1 and invited him to take a seat in our carriage the next day on an excursion to ,herculaneum and ,pompeii4 ,in the course of the day a religious discussion took place between the ,american ,priest and the ,russian1 who was very fond of controversy4 ,i took no part in it1 but ,i thought the ,priest had rather the best of it4 ,the result was1 my ,russian friend was persuaded to go into a house of retirement near ,rome1 and devote some weeks to solitary prayer1 fasting1 and meditation4 ,i never afterwards saw him or heard from him for eleven years1 though ,i remonstrated with him1 and wrote him from ,florence1 entreating him to reconsider what he was doing2 but he said that what ,i spoke and wrote rather confirmed him in his course1 than diverted him from it4 ,when making my third educational tour on the ,continent of ,europe1 ,i was1 with my daughter1 at ,munich1 in ,bavaria1 about the beginning of #aheg1 and while at dinner at our hotel1 ,i felt two hands placed upon my shoulders2 on looking up1 ,i recognized1 notwithstanding his present dress1 my old friend1 ,dunjowski1 who embraced and kissed me as a brother4 ,after dinner we retired to the parlour1 and talked over the past4 ,i asked him what he had been doing these eleven years1 how he had become transformed from a ,russian nobleman1 scholar1 and lawyer1 into a ,roman ,catholic priest1 in full canonicals4 ,he told me that after we separated at ,naples1 eleven years before1 he went into a house of retirement at ,rome1 and by prayer1 fasting1 and meditation1 devoted himself to ,god and ,his ,church1 without reserve of rank1 fortune1 or country2 that he had ultimately decided to be a ,catholic2 that he had studied theology four years in ,france2 that he had been appointed a ,missionary to the ,north1 and had been some years a ,missionary to the ,lapps1 and had preached before the ,kings of ,denmark and ,sweden2 that he was then ,missionary ,apostolic to all the ,catholic ,missions in ,europe and ,america1 north of latitude #fj2 and that he might yet visit ,canada4 ,this extraordinary man had mastered the languages of the various countries in which he had travelled and laboured1 and gave my daughter specimens of his writing in twenty-seven different languages4 ,i never knew a man of more disinterestedness1 more devotion1 and singleness of purpose1 than ,mr4 ,dunjowski4 ,he was up and out at prayers to his church before five o'clock1 in the terribly cold mornings the last of ,december and the beginning of ,january1 in one of the coldest capitals of ,europe4 ,on the other hand he asked me what ,i had been doing during the last eleven years4 ,i replied that ,i had devised and brought into operation a system of public instruction1 which had been approved by the ,government and ,legislature1 and by the people at large1 whom ,i had consulted1 in the several counties of ,upper ,canada4 ,he wished to know what ,i had done in respect to his co-religionists4 ,i shewed him the provisions of our ,school ,act1 and the ,regulations founded upon it in respect to ,roman ,catholics in ,upper ,canada4 ,my ,russian friend thought that nothing could be more just and fair than these clauses of the law and regulations1 and requested permission to shew them to the ,pope's ,nuncio 7an ,italian ,archbishop71 at the ,court of ,bavaria4 ,the ,pope's ,nuncio was so pleased with them1 that he requested the loan of them until he got them translated into ,german1 and published in the ,bavarian newspapers1 to shew how fairly the ,roman ,catholics were treated under the ,protestant ,government of ,upper ,canada4 ,the ,pope's ,nuncio afterwards desired me to call upon him2 and during the interview1 after some complimentary remarks1 requested me to be the bearer of a medal from the ,king of ,bavaria to ,cardinal ,antonelli1 at ,rome4 ,i readily accepted the honour and the office1 and found the ,pope's arms and seal a ready passport when ,i got in a tight place among the avaricious ,italian ,custom ,house officers4 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus describes his interview with ,pope ,pius ,,ix43 ,on my arrival at ,rome ,i duly delivered my letters of introduction1 and the ,king of ,bavaria's medal to ,cardinal ,antonelli who received me with the utmost courtesy1 offered me every facility to get pictures copied by my own selection at ,rome1 and proposed1 if acceptable to me1 to present me to ,his ,holiness the ,pope4 ,i readily accepted the attentions and honours offered me2 but told the ,cardinal that ,i had a young daughter1 and young lady companion of hers1 whom ,i should wish to accompany me2 ,his ,excellency said1 ,by all means4 ,on the day appointed we went to the ,vatican4 ,several foreign dignitaries were waiting in an ante-room for an audience with the ,pope1 but the ,methodist preacher received precedence of them all4 ,are you a clergyman8 asked the ,chancellor1 who conducted me to the ,pope's presence2 ,i am a ,wesleyan minister1 ,i replied4 ,ah6 ,john ,wesley4 ,i've heard of him1 said the ,chancellor1 as he shrugged his shoulders in surprise that a heretic should be so honoured above orthodox sons of the ,church4 ,we were then in due form introduced to the ,pope1 who received us most courteously1 and stood up and shook hands with me and with whom ,i conversed 7in ,french7 for nearly a quarter of an hour2 during the conversation ,his ,holiness thanked me for the fairness and kindness with which he understood ,i had treated his ,catholic children in ,canada4 ,before the close of the interview1 ,his ,holiness turned to the young ladies 7each of whom had a little sheet of note paper in their hands7 and said1 ,my children1 what is that you have in your hands8 ,the girls curtsied respectfully1 and told ,his ,holiness that they brought these sheets of paper in hopes ,his ,holiness would have the condescension and kindness to give them his autograph4 ,he smiled1 and wrote in ,latin the benediction3 ,grace1 mercy1 and peace from ,god our ,father1 and ,jesus ,christ our ,lord1 and then kindly gave them also the pen with which it was written4 ,thus ended our interview with ,pope ,pins ,,ix41 of whose unaffected sincerity1 candor1 kindness1 and good sense1 we formed the most favourable opinion1 notwithstanding the system of which he is the head4 ,dr4 ,ryerson also mentions another interview which he had3-- ,in addition to my letters of introduction to ,cardinal ,antonelli1 my ,russian friend1 ,dunjowski1 gave me a letter of introduction to ,father ,thyner1 the keeper of the ,archives at ,rome1 and an intimate personal friend of the ,pope2 in which letter he referred to the school systems of ,upper ,canada1 in reference to ,roman ,catholics4 ,father ,thyner wished to see the ,canadian school law and regulations1 and shewed and explained them to the ,pope1 who afterwards spoke of their fairness and kindness1 in my interview with ,his ,holiness4 ,father ,thyner was once ,librarian to the ,king of ,prussia1 and being a ,roman ,catholic1 he went to ,rome1 where his varied learning and high character soon obtained him a high position at the ,vatican4 ,he1 as well as the ,pope1 in his early life was an enemy of the ,jesuits1 and was regarded by them as such throughout his whole life4 ,i had a severe illness of some weeks at ,rome1 during which ,father ,thyner visited me almost daily1 but never said one word to me on the grounds of difference between ,roman ,catholics and ,protestants4 ,during my last visit to ,england in #ahgf-g1 ,i spent part of a day at the residence of the ,rev4 ,wm4 ,arthur1 ,a4,m41 who showed me the works in his library from which he had derived the principal materials of his masterly work on ,the ,pope and ,the ,people4 ,among other works he shewed me some volumes written by ,father ,thyner1 containing an account of the proceedings of the ,council of ,trent4 ,why1 ,i said1 ,i know ,father ,thyner personally1 and related my acquaintance with him4 ,mr4 ,arthur said in reply1 ,this work is the chief source of my knowledge of the proceedings of the ,councils of ,trent2 and added1 ,father ,thyner having determined to publish an account 7which had never before been published7 of this ,council1 was forbidden to do so1 and banished1 or driven from ,rome1 when he went to ,hungary1 and published his great work on the ,councils4 ,i have observed in the papers1 that ,father ,thyner died in ,hungary a year or two since4 ,he was a man of profound learning1 of fervent devotion1 of great moderation in his views1 of uncompromising integrity4 ,i visited him in his convent1 near ,rome1 and drank the juice of the grape grown in his own garden1 and pressed by his own hand4 ,,chapter ,,xlvi4 #ahdd-ahgf4 ,ontario ,school ,system4--,retirement of ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,although ,i hope to be able to prepare a record of the private and personal history of the founding of our ,system of ,public ,education1 and of the vicissitudes through which it passed1 as requested by ,dr4 ,ryerson 7page #cej71 yet in this chapter ,i give a brief outline of the principles of that ,system4 ,after his educational investigations in ,europe1 in #ahdd-ahdf1 ,dr4 ,ryerson prepared an elaborate ,report on a ,system of ,public ,instruction for ,upper ,canada1 which was published in #ahdf4 ,in that report he says3-- ,by ,education1 ,i mean not the mere acquisition of certain arts1 or of certain branches of knowledge1 but that instruction and discipline which qualify and dispose the subjects of it for their appropriate duties and appointments in life1 as ,christians1 as persons in business1 and also as members of the civil community in which they live4 ,a basis of an educational structure adapted to this end should be as broad as the population of the country2 and its loftiest elevation should equal the highest demands of the learned professions2 adapting its gradation of schools to the wants of the several classes of the community1 and to their respective employments or professions1 the one rising above the other--the one conducting to the other2 yet each complete in itself for the degree of education it imparts2 a character of uniformity1 as to fundamental principles1 pervading the whole3 the whole based upon the principles of ,christianity1 and uniting the combined influence and support of the government and the people4 ,the branches of knowledge which it is essential that all should understand1 should be provided for all1 and taught to all2 should be brought within the reach of the most needy1 and forced upon the attention of the most careless4 ,the knowledge required for the scientific pursuit of mechanics1 agriculture1 and commerce1 must needs be provided to an extent corresponding with the demand1 and the exigencies of the country2 while1 to a more limited extent1 are needed facilities for acquiring the higher education of the learned professions4 ,with a view to give a summary sketch of ,dr4 ,ryerson's exposition of the system of ,public ,instruction which he desired to establish1 ,i give the following additional extracts from his first ,report4 ,after combating the objection which then existed in some quarters to the establishment of a thorough system of primary and industrial education1 commensurate with the population and wants of the country1 he remarked3-- ,the first feature then of our ,provincial ,system of ,public ,instruction1 should be universality4 ,the elementary education of the whole people must1 therefore1 be an essential element in the legislative and administrative policy of an enlightened and beneficent government4 ,nor is it less important to the efficiency of such a system that it should be practical than that it should be universal4 ,the mere acquisition1 or even the general diffusion of knowledge1 without the requisite qualities to apply that knowledge in the best manner1 does not merit the name of education4 ,much knowledge may be imparted and acquired without any addition whatever to the capacity for the business of life4444 ,history presents us with even ,university ,systems of ,education 7so called7 entirely destitute of all practical character2 and there are elementary systems which tend as much to prejudice and pervert1 not to say corrupt1 the popular mind as to improve and elevate it4 ,the state of society1 then1 no less than the wants of our country1 requires that every youth of the land should be trained to industry and its practice1 whether that training be extensive or limited4 ,now education1 thus practical1 includes religion and morality2 secondly1 the development to a certain extent of all our faculties2 thirdly1 an acquaintance with several branches of elementary knowledge4 ,by religion and morality1 ,i do not mean sectarianism in any form1 but the general truth and morals taught in the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,sectarianism is not morality4 ,to be zealous for a sect and to be conscientious in morals are widely different4 ,to inculcate the peculiarities of a sect and to teach the fundamental principles of religion and morality are equally different4 ,i can aver1 from personal experience and practice1 as well as from a very extended inquiry on this subject1 that a much more comprehensive course of biblical and religious instruction can be given than there is likely to be opportunity for in elementary schools1 without any restraint on the one side1 or any tincture of sectarianism on the other--a course embracing the entire history of the ,bible1 its institutions1 cardinal doctrines and morals1 together with the evidences of its authenticity4 ,with the proper cultivation of the moral feelings1 and the formation of local habits1 is intimately connected the corresponding development of all the other faculties1 both intellectual and physical4 ,the great object of an efficient system of instruction should be1 not the communication of so much knowledge1 but the development of the faculties4 ,much knowledge may be acquired without any increase of mental power2 nay1 with even an absolute diminution of it4 7,see ,chapter li47 ,in founding the ,system of ,public ,instruction1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wisely laid down certain great principles which he believed to be essential to the success of his labours4 ,these general principles may be thus summarized3 #a4 ,that the machinery of education should be in the hands of the people themselves1 and should be managed through their own agency2 they should1 therefore1 be consulted in regard to all school legislation4 #b4 ,that the aid of the ,government should only be given where it can be used most effectually to stimulate and assist local effort in this great work4 #c4 ,that the property of the country is responsible for1 and should contribute towards the education of the entire youth of the country1 and that as a complement to this1 compulsory education should necessarily be enforced4 #d4 ,that a thorough and systematic inspection of the schools is essential to their vitality and efficiency4 ,these1 with other important principles1 ,dr4 ,ryerson kept steadily in view during the whole thirty-two years of his administration of the school system of ,ontario4 ,their judicious application has contributed largely1 under the ,divine blessing1 which he ever sought1 to the wonderful success of his labours4 ,notwithstanding the zeal and ability with which ,dr4 ,ryerson had collected and arranged his facts1 analyzed the various systems of education in ,europe 7largely in ,germany7 and ,america1 and fortified himself with the opinions of the most eminent educationists in those countries1 yet his projected system for this province was fiercely assailed1 and was vehemently denounced as embodying in it the very essence of ,prussian despotism4 ,still1 with indomitable courage he persevered in his plans1 and at length succeeded in #ahdf in inducing the legislature to pass a ,school ,act which he had drafted4 ,in #ahdi the ,provincial administration personally favourable to ,dr4 ,ryerson's views went out of office1 and one unfavourable to him came in4 ,the ,hon4 ,malcolm ,cameron1 a hostile member of the cabinet--although he afterwards became a personal friend of ,dr4 ,ryerson--having concocted a singularly crude and cumbrous school bill1 aimed to oust ,dr4 ,ryerson from office1 it was 7as was afterwards explained7 taken on trust1 and1 without examination or discussion1 passed into a law4 ,dr4 ,ryerson at once called the attention of the ,government 7at the head of which was the late lamented ,lord ,elgin7 to the impracticable and un-,christian character of the bill1 as under its operation the ,bible would be excluded from the schools4 ,rather than administer such an ,act1 ,dr4 ,ryerson tendered the resignation of his office to the ,government4 ,the late ,honourable ,robert ,baldwin1 ,c4,b41 ,attorney-,general 7the ,nestor of ,canadian politicians1 and a truly ,christian man71 was so convinced of the justness of ,dr4 ,ryerson's views and remonstrance1 that he took the unusual course of advising ,his ,excellency to suspend the operation of the new ,act until ,dr4 ,ryerson could prepare a draft of a bill on the basis of the repealed law1 embodying in it1 additional to the old bill1 the result of his own experience of the working of the system up to that time4 ,the result was that a law passed in #ahej1 adapted to the municipal system of the ,province1 so popular in its character and comprehensive in its provisions and details1 that it is still 7in a consolidated form7 the principal statute under which the ,public ,schools of ,ontario are maintained4 ,the leading features of that measure may be briefly summed up under the four following heads3-- #a4 ,the machinery of the system was mainly adapted to the circumstances of ,upper ,canada1 from the school laws of the ,middle 7,united7 ,states4 #b4 ,the method of supporting the schools by a uniform rate upon property was adopted from the ,new ,england ,states4 #c4 ,the ,normal and ,model schools 7established in #ahdg71 were projected after those in operation in ,germany4 #d4 ,the school text-books were originally adapted from the series then in use in ,ireland1 and acceptable to both ,protestants and ,roman ,catholics4 ,in #ahej1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 while in ,england1 made preliminary arrangements for establishing the ,library1 and ,map and ,apparatus ,depository in connection with his department2 and in #ahee he established ,meteorological ,stations in connection with the ,county ,grammar ,schools4 ,in this he was aided by ,colonel 7now ,general7 ,lefroy1 ,r4,e41 for many years ,director of the ,provincial ,magnetical ,observatory1 at ,toronto4 ,sets of suitable instruments 7which were duly tested at the ,kew ,observatory7 were obtained1 and in #ahee1 the law on the subject having been amended1 twelve stations were selected and put into efficient working order4 ,in #aheg ,dr4 ,ryerson made his third educational tour in ,europe1 where he procured at ,antwerp1 ,brussels1 ,florence1 ,rome1 ,paris1 and ,london an admirable collection of copies of paintings by the old masters2 statues1 busts1 etc41 besides various articles for an ,educational ,museum in connection with the ,department4 ,in #aheh-fj1 ,dr4 ,ryerson took a leading part in the discussion in the newspapers1 and before a committee of the legislature1 in favour of grants to the various outlying universities in ,ontario1 chiefly in terms of ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin's ,university ,bill of #ahdc4 ,he maintained that they did the ,state good service1 and that their claims should be substantially recognized as colleges of a central university4 ,he deprecated the multiplication of universities in the province1 which he held would be the result of a rejection of his scheme4 ,in consideration of his able services in this contest1 the ,university of ,victoria ,college conferred upon him the degree of ,,ll4,d4 in #ahfa4 ,in #ahfg he made his fourth educational tour in ,england and the ,united ,states4 ,on his return1 in #ahfh1 he submitted to the ,government a highly valuable special report on the systems and state of popular education in the several countries of ,europe and the ,united ,states of ,america1 with practical suggestions for the improvement of ,public ,instruction in ,upper ,canada4 ,he also made a separate and extensive ,report on ,institutions for the ,deaf and ,dumb and ,blind in ,various ,countries4 ,in a letter to a friend1 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus explained the principles upon which he conducted the educational affairs of the ,province for upwards of thirty-one years4 ,he said3-- ,during these years ,i organized the school system and administered the ,education ,department upon the broad and impartial principles which ,i had advocated4 ,during the long period of my administration of the ,department1 ,i knew neither religious sect nor political party--,i knew no other party than that of the country at large--,i never exercised any patronage for personal or party purposes--,i never made or recommended one of the numerous appointments of teachers in the ,normal or ,model ,schools1 or ,clerks in the ,education office1 except upon the ground of testimonials as to personal character and qualifications1 and on a probationary trial of six months4 ,in this way only competent and trained persons were appointed to the ,normal and ,model ,schools1 and to the ,education ,office1 when a vacancy occurred by resignation or death4 ,each employ below the one who had resigned or died was advanced a step if deserving2 and the most meritorious lad was selected from the ,model school1 or on other testimonials1 and placed at the bottom of the list1 and trained and advanced according to his merits in the work of the ,education ,department4 ,each one1 thus felt1 that he owed his position not to party1 or personal patronage or favour1 but to his own merits1 and respected himself and performed his duties accordingly4 ,i believe this is the true method of managing all the ,public ,departments1 and every branch of the public service4 ,i believe it would contribute immensely to both the efficiency and economy of the public service4 ,needless and inefficient appointments would not then be made2 and it would greatly elevate the standard of action and attainments1 and emulate the ambition of the young men and youth of the country1 when they know that their selection and advancement in their country's service depended upon their individual merits1 irrespective of sect or party1 and not as the reward of zeal as political party hacks in elections and otherwise1 on their own part1 or on that of their fathers or relatives4 ,the power of government in a country is immense1 for good or ill4 ,it is designed by the ,supreme ,being to be a minister of ,god for good1 to a whole people 7without partiality1 as well as without hypocrisy71 like the rays of the sun2 and the administration of infinite wisdom and justice1 and truth and purity4 ,but when government becomes the mere agency of party1 and its highest gifts the prizes of party zeal and intrigue1 it loses its moral prestige and power2 and from the corrupt fountain would flow polluted streams into every ,department of the public service1 which would corrupt the whole mass of society1 were it not for the counteracting and refining influences which are exerted upon society by the ministrations and labours of the different religious denominations4 ,i know it has been contended that party patronage1 or1 in other words1 feeding partizans at the public expense1 is an essential element in the existence of a government4 ,this is the doctrine of corruption4 ,the ,education ,department--the highest public department in ,upper ,canada--existed for more than thirty years without such an element1 and with increased efficiency and increased strength in the public estimation1 during the whole of that period4 ,justice and virtue1 and patriotism and intelligence1 are stronger elements of power and usefulness than those of buying and rewarding partizans2 and if the rivalship and competition of public men should consist in who should best devise and promote measures for the advancement of the country1 and who should exercise the executive power most impartially and intelligently1 for developing and promoting the interests of all classes1 then the moral standard of government and of public men would be greatly exalted1 and the highest civilization of the whole country be advanced4 ,but ,i will not pursue this topic any further4 ,the truths ,i state are self-evident4 99 99 99 99 99 ,for many years after ,confederation ,dr4 ,ryerson felt that the new political condition of the ,province--which localized as well as circumscribed its civil administration of affairs--required a change in the management of the ,education ,department4 ,he1 therefore1 in #ahfi and #ahgb1 urged upon the ,government the desirability of relieving him from the anomalous position in which he found himself placed under the new system4 ,the reasons which he urged for his retirement are given in a pamphlet devoted to a ,defence of the ,system of ,education1 which he published in #ahgb1 and are as follows3-- ,when political men have made attacks upon the school law1 or the school system and myself1 ,i have answered them4 ,then the cry has been raised by my assailants1 and their abettors1 that ,i was interfering with politics4 ,they would assail me without stint1 in hopes of crushing me1 and then gag me against all defence or reply4 ,so deeply did ,i feel the disadvantage and growing evil of this state of things to the ,department and school system itself1 that in #ahfh ,i proposed to retire from the department4444 ,my resignation was not accepted2 444 when1 two months later1 ,i proposed that1 at the commencement of each session of the legislature1 a committee of seven or nine 7including the ,provincial ,secretary for the time being7 should be elected by ballot1 or by mutual agreement of the leading men of both parties1 on the ,education ,department2 which committee should examine into the operations of the ,department for the year then ending1 consider the school estimates1 and any bill or recommendations which might be submitted for the advancement of the school system1 and report to the ,house accordingly4 ,by many thoughtful men1 this system has been considered more safe1 more likely to secure a competent and working head of the department1 and less liable to make the school system a tool of party politics1 than for the head of it to have a seat in ,parliament1 and thus leave the educational interests of the country dependent upon the votes of a majority of electors in one riding4 ,this recommendation1 submitted on the #cjth ,january1 #ahfi1 was not adopted2 and ,i was left isolated--responsible in the estimation of legislators and everybody else for the ,department--the target of every attack1 whether in the newspapers or in the ,legislative ,assembly1 yet without any access to it1 or to its members1 except through the press1 and no other support than the character of my work and the general confidence of the public4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in #ahgf1 however1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was permitted to retire on full salary from the responsible post which for nearly thirty-two years he had so worthily and honourably filled4 ,,chapter ,,xlvii4 #ahde-ahdf4 ,illness and ,final ,retirement of ,lord ,metcalfe4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,mr4 ,higginson1 dated #bgth ,may1 #ahde1 he thus refers to ,lord ,metcalfe's increasing illness3-- ,i wish that ,i could answer your inquiries about ,lord ,metcalfe's health in a satisfactory manner4 ,the torturing malady with which he is afflicted is no better2 and although there is no decided change for the worse1 yet there is in my mind too much reason to apprehend that the disease1 though slow in its progress1 keeps constantly advancing and threatens farther ravages4 ,the pain is incessant and unabated4 ,the resignation with which he suffers1 and his unyielding determination to remain at his post as long as his presence can serve ,canada1 inspires a feeling of veneration which ,i will not attempt to describe4 ,he seems to be quite prepared to realize1 if necessary1 that noble sentiment-- ,dulce et decorum est pro ,patria mori4 ,mr4 ,higginson again wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 from ,montreal1 on the #bhth of ,october1 as follows3-- ,as bad news travels fast1 you will probably have heard before this reaches you of the aggravation of the painful malady from which ,lord ,metcalfe has so long suffered4 ,no other man1 in his present lamentable condition1 would think of administering the ,government4 ,he seems quite ready to die in harness1 if necessary1 but is determined not to leave here as long as he can1 at any sacrifice of personal considerations1 continue to discharge the duties4 ,i hope and believe that ,her ,majesty's ,government will not hesitate to relieve him as soon as a successor can be found--it would be inhuman to delay any longer4 ,how much of ,canada's weal or woe depends upon the selection8 ,it is far easier to mar than to mend the triumph my inestimable friend has achieved--to weaken than to strengthen its effects4 ,mr4 ,higginson wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the #ahth ,december3-- ,i1 two days ago1 had the pleasure to receive your kind and feeling letter of the #aath4 ,it will afford me great satisfaction to communicate to my suffering friend the grateful sentiments to which you give expression4 ,lord ,metcalfe's retirement was1 as you justly observe1 strictly a providential dispensation4 ,he remained at his post until it pleased the ,almighty to render him physically incapable of discharging all its duties2 and he was quite prepared to die at it1 in the service of his country4 ,the terms in which the ,queen's permission to return home was acceded are1 beyond measure1 gratifying and complimentary4 ,i shall have much pleasure in reading the despatch to you the first time we meet4 ,of the fearful malady1 ,i can only say that its onward progress seems to be beyond human control1 and that ,i entertain no hope of its being arrested4 ,but the surgical skill of ,europe may1 and ,i earnestly pray to ,god will1 alleviate the intensity of the blessed man's sufferings4 ,after ,lord ,metcalfe had returned to ,england1 the ,hon4 ,d4 ,daly1 ,secretary of the ,province1 wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 who had returned to ,canada1 on the #bjth ,december1 as follows3-- ,your disappointment was naturally great at missing the only opportunity that1 in all human probability1 can be afforded you in this world of seeing our lamented and excellent ,governor4 ,in his late and most severe suffering1 the greatness of that most inestimable man's character was1 if possible1 more resplendent than under the trials to which you saw him subjected4 ,may he enjoy a peaceful termination to his useful existence6 ,we can know nothing certain of his successor until the news of which he is the bearer has reached ,england1 his relinquishment of the ,government having been left entirely to his own free will4 ,he had the comfort of knowing how fully his services were appreciated by his ,sovereign2 and his removal was effected in the most gratifying way by ,her ,majesty's command4 ,on the #ith ,may ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote a farewell letter to ,lord ,metcalfe1 from which ,i make the following extract3-- ,having passed ,your ,lordship on the ocean1 and being disappointed of the privilege of ever seeing you again in this world1 ,i wrote by the first packet after my arrival to ,mr4 ,c4 ,trevelyan1 requesting him to have the goodness to convey to ,your ,lordship the expression of those sentiments of gratitude and affectionate respect which ,i can never fail to cherish while memory remains4444 ,in ,your ,lordship's retirement and suffering1 444 ,i think it wrong to intrude further than to state my deep sympathy in your sufferings1 and that my supplications are offered up daily to the ,god of all consolation1 that ,he would grant you patience1 resignation1 and a sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection to everlasting life2 and to assure ,your ,lordship that my life shall be sacredly devoted to the work in behalf of the youthful and future generations of ,canada1 for which ,your ,lordship's kindness has done so much1 to enable me to qualify myself4 ,with1 these the strongest feelings of my heart1 ,i have1 etc4 ,the final letter received from ,mr4 ,higginson was dated ,montreal1 ,june #ajth1 #ahdj3-- ,i beg you to accept my cordial thanks for your very kind communication of the #cjth ult4 ,i am not insensible to the high honour that has been conferred upon me by our ,sovereign--far beyond my humble merits2 but ,i have great satisfaction in feeling that ,i won it fighting shoulder to shoulder with you and the other advocates of those great ,british ,constitutional principles of ,government1 for which we contended1 and which were so fiercely assailed by the ,british ,democratic party1 who1 ,i earnestly trust may never again be able to make head in ,canada4 ,that ,i1 in the slightest degree contributed to the victory will be to me a source of pride4 ,to the eminent ,pilot who directed us no one knows better than yourself how much is due4 ,would that he had been spared to perfect the good work4 ,my latest account of his health encourages the hope that ,i may yet be permitted to see him again4 ,we closed the session yesterday1 which was got through with success1 and ,i hope with some advantage to the public interests4 ,i regret very much that ,i have not had the pleasure of seeing you since your return from ,europe4 ,farewell6 ,j4 ,m4 ,h4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the appointment which ,mr4 ,higginson received from the ,queen was that of ,governor of ,antigua4 ,in his reply to an address from the ,wesleyan missionaries of that island1 on his arrival1 he thus referred to his experience of that body in ,canada3-- ,i have had frequent opportunities of witnessing in various quarters of the globe the untiring exertions of your brethren in the sacred cause of religion and humanity1 and whether in the sultry heat of ,asia1 444 or struggling against the rigours of a ,canadian winter1 ,i have always found the ,wesleyan missionaries animated by the same benevolent and philanthropic spirit1 and undaunted by obstacles1 however appalling1 manifesting the same discreet zeal to spread far and wide the healing influence of the holy ,gospel of ,christ4 ,,chapter ,,xlviii4 #ahdc-ahdd4 ,clergy ,reserve ,question ,re-opened4--,disappointments4 ,extraordinary efforts were put forth 7as shown in ,chapter xxxiii41 page #bfc7 by the leaders of the ,church of ,england party in ,upper ,canada to prevent the ,royal assent being given to ,lord ,sydenham's ,clergy ,reserve compromise ,bill of #ahda4 ,equally strenuous efforts were successfully made to ensure the fulfilment of ,bishop ,strachan's prediction that the rejected ,bill of ,lord ,sydenham would form the basis of an ,imperial ,act1 which would secure to the national ,churches of ,england and ,scotland1 for all time1 the lion's share of the proceeds of ,george the ,third's ill-fated gift to ,canada of the clergy reserves4 ,lord ,john ,russell1 the pretentious and vacillating ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies at the time1 proved himself to be1 in this matter1 a pliant instrument in the hands of ,henry of ,exeter4 ,this prelate endorsed1 con amore1 all the extreme views of the ,bishop of ,toronto2 and with the aid of ,lord ,seaton 7,sir ,john ,colborne7 and the ,bench and ,bishops in the ,house of ,lords1 compelled the ,government to perpetuate an act of legislative usurpation and injustice1 which even the tyros in constitutional law1 as applied to the ,colonies1 were wont at the time to instance in the press as examples of history repeating itself--quoting1 as an illustration1 the ill-advised ,imperial legislation in the case of the ,stamp ,act1 etc4 ,by a singular fatality1 which often attends arbitrary and unjust proceedings1 the success of the scheme1 which had been so carefully prepared1 and carried through the ,british ,parliament in the interests of the ,church of ,england1 was destined to become a source of weakness to that ,church1 and a foreboding of financial disaster4 ,on the #bith ,december1 #ahdc1 the ,attorney and the ,solicitor-,general of ,canada 7as stated by the ,bishop of ,toronto in his pastoral letter of the #ajth of ,december1 #ahdd7 reported that having attentively examined the provisions of the acts for this subject1 it was their opinion that the proper construction of the law threw upon the revenues of ,canada the burthen of making up any deficiency in the clergy reserve fund1 in paying the usual and accustomed allowances and stipends to the ,ministers1 444 and1 while that deficiency lasted1 the ,imperial ,treasury could not be called upon to make any payments to the two ,churches4 7,see page #d of ,pastoral47 ,the ,bishop then charges the ,provincial ,government with being the cause of this financial difficulty1 and accounts for the deficiency in the fund by the mismanagement of that ,government4 ,he adds further on3-- ,but1 alas6 the mismanagement has increased1 pending these difficulties2 and while my clergy are left in a state of destitution1 large sums continue to be wasted in remunerating services which are really worse than useless1 and this to such an extent as to render hopeless the expectation that the clergy reserve fund will ever answer the wise and holy purpose for which it was established4 ,in this dilemma the ,bishop states what he had done to extricate the ,church out of its difficulty4 ,in doing so1 he uses language which partakes more of the character of a wail than of a simple statement of facts4 ,he also draws a most gloomy picture of the prospective religious state of ,upper ,canada1 should the dearly prized1 and as dearly bought1 ,imperial ,clergy ,reserve ,act prove1 after all1 to be an apple of ,sodom4 ,it is curious to notice how the ,bishop1 in his despairing outburst1 studiously ignores the active and successful labours of the several voluntary churches--whose claims to a share in the reserves he had so strongly and selfishly opposed--churches which were even then actively engaged in spreading scriptural holiness throughout the land1 without the aid of a penny from the ,state4 ,in his ,pastoral1 the ,bishop says3-- ,i applied to the venerable ,propagation ,society in ,england to advance1 in the meantime1 the salaries 7only #ajj per annum each7 to my five suffering clergy1--assuring the ,society that ,i had the fullest conviction it would be repaid as soon as it was decided which ,government was liable4444 ,the ,society paid the stipends for the year ending #cjth ,june1 #ahdc1 but have declined since that time to continue the advance4444 ,in consequence1 my five clergymen have been left without their stipends since ,june1 #ahdc to ,december1 #ahdd1 444 and this large and increasing ,diocese then the whole of ,upper ,canada1 already so destitute of the means of public worship 7if the statute be allowed to operate as it has done for the last four years71 will1 in a spiritual sense1 become1 through half its extent1 a wilderness4 ,not only are five clergymen in a state of want1 but two parishes are left vacant1 and the process is unhappily going on4444 ,i have brought this disheartening and deplorable state of things under the notice of the ,provincial ,government4444 ,i have pressed the matter upon ,his ,excellency the ,governor-,general4444 ,but all that was in my power to do has been without avail 7page #f74 ,i also quote the foregoing passages from this noted ,pastoral1 as they throw a vivid side-light upon the course of the ,bishop in so vehemently pursuing the shadow of a state endowment for the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada4 ,the subsequent utterances of the ,pastoral show how persistently the otherwise clear-headed and practical chief ruler of that ,church shut his eyes to the remarkable success and vitality of the non-endowed ,churches in the ,province1 and how much he deplored the necessity of adopting their successful voluntary system in his own church4#abh ,he says3-- ,i represented to ,his ,excellency1 in ,may last1 that1 on a review of this unfortunate subject 444 the distress of my five clergymen1 and the desolation with which it menaces the ,church1 it involves consequences so calamitous and imminent as to justify the representative of the sovereign in assuming more than ordinary responsibility in arresting their progress4444 ,on the #cast ,october1 ,i again brought this painful subject at great length before the ,provincial ,government1 and stated that1 having failed to receive relief1 ,i could only see one way left of mitigating the evil1 and that is by an appeal to my people on the present critical situation of the ,church1 and in behalf of my destitute clergymen4 ,it is indeed a step which ,i take with extreme reluctance1 and which1 were it possible1 ,i would most willingly avoid4444 7page #f47 ,in a remarkable document1 which the ,bishop published in #ahdi1 on ,the ,secular ,state of the ,church in the ,diocese of ,toronto1 he furnishes a painful and striking commentary on the effect of his own teaching3 that it was the duty of the ,state to support the ,church1 and thus relieve the people of the chief obligation of supporting the ,gospel amongst them4 ,speaking of contributions to the ,church within the ,province1 he says3 ,till lately we have done little or nothing towards the support of public worship4 ,we have depended so long upon the ,government and the ,propagation ,society1 that many of us forget that it is our bounden duty4 ,instead of coming forward manfully to devote a portion of our temporal substance to the service of ,god1 we turn away with indifference1 or we sit down to count the cost1 and measure the salvation of our souls by pounds1 shillings1 and pence4444 ,while we are bountifully assisted1 and seldom required to do more than half2 yet we are seen to fail on every side 7page #ai74abi ,on pages #cd-dj of this pamphlet1 ,bishop ,strachan is very severe on the clergy to whom ,bishop ,fuller refers1 whom he accuses of putting forth efforts to disturb the peace of the diocese--efforts which were rapidly being organized into something of a regular system of agitation1 so common 444 among the traders in politics 7page #cd74 ,an agitation having been commenced by the ,bishop and clergy in ,western ,canada1 in #ahdc1 for better terms and an amendment to the ,imperial ,clergy ,reserve ,act of #ahdj1 the question was re-opened4 ,the effect of this re-opening of the question was deprecated by ,dr4 ,ryerson and others4 ,early in ,january1 #ahdd1 ,mr4 ,surveyor-,general ,parke sent to ,dr4 ,ryerson the copy of a letter written by ,rev4 ,prof4 ,campbell1 of ,queen's ,college1 ,kingston1 in which ,mr4 ,campbell sets up the claim of the ,kirk of ,scotland1 having a branch in ,canada1 as such1 to a portion of the ,canadian clergy reserves4 ,mr4 ,parke says3-- ,the writer of the letter arrives at two other conclusions1 which1 ,i think1 are based on error1 and calculated to interfere materially with the rights of the other bodies of ,protestant ,christians3 namely1 that the ,kirk in ,canada participate in the clergy reserves1 solely by the right it has as a branch of the ,kirk in ,scotland2 and that other bodies of ,christians participate in them merely as an act of favour4 ,to the first of these conclusions ,i entirely object1 on the ground that the ,act confers the reserves1 purely and solely1 on ,canada1 and for the benefit of interests and persons1 absolutely within ,canada4 ,to the second conclusion or statement of the ,professor1 that is1 that other bodies participate as a matter of favour1 ,i object on every ground on which it is possible for equity to place the subject4 ,what6 shall the unexampled toils1 and incessant labours of the early and later ,methodists1 and other pioneers of the christianizing of ,canada1 have doled out to them1 as a matter of simple grace1 and a body in ,scotland1 who never knew nor participated in the labour of sowing the seeds of the ,gospel through the length and breadth of the land1 claim as a matter of absolute right1 for one of its branches1 a participation in lands1 purely ,canadian in fact and law8 ,this ,i can never assent to2 it was the question on which1 as a ,methodist1 ,i first became a ,canadian politician1 and it is the question on which ,i yet feel the keenest4 ,i desire to call your attention to the matter1 and solicit a correction from you of errors which1 ,i think1 are insidiously calculated to mislead the public mind1 and make uphill work in combating other questions which may arise in unfortunate ,canada1 bye-and-bye4 ,some of the ,kirk folks would monopolize for themselves1 as far as they dare1 and the ,church of ,england too2 but the general community1 who have borne the burden and heat of the day--fought and won the battle--should not in any way have their interests and feelings trifled with by the unreasonable claims of a few1 who at comparatively a late day entered the field4 ,as the agitation increased1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 who was in ,england in #ahde1 addressed a letter to ,lord ,stanley1 ,colonial ,secretary1 in ,january1 on the injustice to the non-episcopal churches of the ,act of #ahdj4 ,he said3-- ,there is a subject which1 in connection with transpiring circumstances in ,canada1 deeply involves the future condition of the government of ,canada1 and which can be considered by your ,lordship alone3 ,i refer to the withholding1 to the present time1 from the ,wesleyan ,methodist body in ,upper ,canada all benefit of the ,act passed for the settlement of the clergy reserve question--a question which certain parties in ,canada propose to re-open1 with a view of depriving the ,church of ,england of what is considered a disproportionate share of the proceeds of the clergy reserves4 ,the advantage afforded by such a subject of agitation would be eagerly seized upon by the leaders of the opposition in ,parliament4 ,the ,wesleyan ,methodist body in ,upper ,canada 7now numbering #aca regular ministers1 and #bd1jjj communicants71 has for many years possessed and does still possess the casting vote between the contending political parties in that country2 and should they join in the agitation contemplated1 nothing but military power will prevent the wresting out of the hands of the ,church of ,england their--the chief--pecuniary advantages which it derives from public sources4 ,hitherto the leading members of the ,wesleyan ,methodist body have declined any public agitation on the subject--though solicited by influential parties--contenting themselves with private communication to the ,government until they should find them hopelessly unsuccessful4 ,should not their case be considered8 ,i have reason to believe that they will at their next annual meeting1 to be held in ,june1 commence an appeal to the public and to the ,local ,legislature on the injustice done them2 as they have ascertained that all the leading lawyers in ,upper ,canada of both parties1 as well as three successive ,governors considered them wronged in the manner in which they alone1 of the four great leading denominations of the country1 have been excluded from the benefits of an act1 to the basis of which ,lord ,sydenham never could have obtained the consent of the ,canadian ,legislature without their most decided support4 ,i should deeply lament the re-agitation of the clergy reserve question in ,canada4 ,such a step1 on the part of the great ,wesleyan body there1 would doubtless be attended by the strengthening of the opposition in the ,legislature1 and to probable withdrawal of the support of several members from the present ,government4 ,in an interview with the official ,committee of the ,wesleyan body1 shortly before ,i left ,canada1 ,i promised them to bring the subject before your ,lordship during my stay in ,england4 ,they1 therefore1 deferred appealing to the ,local ,legislature to interpose in their behalf1 until they should learn the result of such an appeal to your ,lordship4444 ,i cannot suppose that it has been the wish of your ,lordship1 any more than the intention of the ,crown officers1 to perpetuate the exclusion of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,canada from their confessedly-just claim of which they have already been deprived for a period of four years4 ,the amount of the claim is less than one-half of what has been secured to the ,roman ,catholic ,church in ,upper ,canada--less than one-third of the amount paid the ,church of ,scotland1 and less than one-tenth of what has been guaranteed to the ,church of ,england4 ,the ,wesleyan body1 whose members in ,upper ,canada have increased eight thousand during the last four years1 will be satisfied on the payment of the sum admitted in their behalf4 ,and ,i submit that the sanctioning of it by your ,lordship will1 in my humble opinion1 be far better1 even as a matter of policy--apart from higher considerations--than affording just ground for an agitation1 the consequences of which cannot be easily foreseen4 ,no relief was1 however1 afforded by a change in the administration of the ,act of #ahdj4 ,the ,act itself remained unrepealed until #ahec4 ,,footnotes3 #abh ,in process of time1 the necessities of his ,church compelled the ,bishop to adopt a new financial scheme1 which he laid before his clergy in #ahda1 one main feature of which was to incorporate the voluntary principle with a system of moderate grants--such as has been the rule adopted for some years by the ,mission ,board of the ,diocese of ,toronto4 #abi ,in sending a copy of this pamphlet some years ago to the ,editor of this volume1 ,archdeacon ,fuller 7now ,bishop of ,niagara71 said3--,this able and interesting document 444 was drawn out from the late ,bishop by the growing dissatisfaction amongst the clergy and laity1 in consequence of ,bishop ,strachan managing the whole of the clergy reserve fund1 without consulting anybody1 and managing to get several thousand pounds of arrears paid to himself1 as ,bishop1 and his proteg1 the present ,bishop ,bethune1 made ,archdeacon of ,york1 with a salary of #cfe a year as ,archdeacon1 while he could not find means to pay the missionaries more than #ajj a year4 ,,chapter ,,xlix4 #ahdf-ahdh4 ,re-,union of the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences4 ,during and before the period of the ,metcalfe ,controversy events were transpiring in ,methodist circles in which ,dr4 ,ryerson took an active part1 and in which he was deeply interested4#acj ,important correspondence on the relations to each other of the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences took place in #ahdb4 ,but as the issue of the contest between these ,conferences was so prolonged1 and involved so many important questions--religious and public--,i think it desirable to give a brief preliminary outline of the origin of the difficulties between the two bodies4 ,this is the more necessary1 as ,dr4 ,ryerson's own personal history and conduct became1 from a variety of circumstances1 most prominently mixed up with these controversies4 ,his letters to the ,government on the subject1 and to the ,missionary ,secretaries1 now first published1 are also valuable ,methodist historical documents--although they partake largely of a personal character--as he was the foremost figure in all of these connexional contests4 ,they are highly characteristic of the courage and self-sacrifice of the writer4 ,methodism1 after its introduction into ,upper ,canada in #agij1 was organized into a ,church by preachers from the ,united ,states4 ,in #ahaa1 when ,upper ,canada was on the eve of being the theatre of war with the ,united ,states1 several ,american preachers who had been appointed to ,canada declined to come1 while those here 7,messrs4 ,roads and ,densmore7 applied to the ,canadian ,government in #ahab for leave to return to their own country4#aca ,nevertheless1 after the war1 and on the representation of persons prompted by high churchmen1 the ,london ,wesleyan ,missionary ,society sent out missionaries to four of the larger towns in ,upper ,canada4 ,this schismatical policy was pursued by the ,british ,conference until #ahbj1 when the ,american ,general ,conference sent ,rev4 ,john 7afterwards7 ,bishop ,emory1 as a deputation to that ,conference to remonstrate4 ,the result was that the following resolutions were passed by the ,british ,conference in that year 7#ahbj73-- #a4 ,that as the ,american ,methodists and ourselves are but one body1 it would be inconsistent with our unity1 and dangerous to that affection which ought to characterize us in every place1 to have different societies and congregations in the same towns and villages1 or to allow of any intrusion on either side into each other's labours4 #b4 ,that this principle shall be the rule by which the disputes now existing in the ,canadas1 between our missionaries1 shall be terminated4 ,in transmitting these and several other resolutions on the subject to the ,british ,missionaries in ,canada1 the ,secretaries 7,rev4 ,joseph ,taylor and ,rev4 ,richard ,watson7 said3-- ,we know that political reasons exist in many minds for supplying even ,upper ,canada1 as far as possible1 with ,british ,missionaries2 and1 however natural this feeling may be to ,englishmen1 and even praiseworthy when not carried too far1 it will be obvious to you that this is a ground on which1 as a ,missionary ,society1 and especially as a ,society under the direction of a ,committee which recognizes as one with itself the ,american ,methodists1 we cannot act4 ,the ,british ,conference loyally observed this compact from #ahbj until #ahcc4 ,at that time 7,dr4 ,ryerson says7 the advocates of a dominant church establishment1 though in a small minority in the ,house of ,assembly1 were all powerful in the ,executive and ,legislative ,councils1 and employed very naturally all the resources at their command to perpetuate their supremacy4 ,for this purpose they appealed to the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,committee in ,england1 and solicited them upon the ground of their loyalty to the ,church of ,england and to the ,throne to send out ,missionaries to ,upper ,canada1 offering #d1jjj per annum out of the ,crown revenues to assist in so loyal a work4 ,the ,english ,wesleyan ,missionary ,committee sent out a representative agent1 who contended that the engagement into which the ,english ,conference had entered with the ,american ,general ,conference in #ahbj1 through ,dr4 ,emory1 to leave ,upper ,canada to the ,canadian preachers1 was no longer binding since the ,conference in ,canada has become separate from that in the ,united ,states1 and the ,english ,committee was therefore free to send missionaries into any part of ,upper ,canada4 ,the ,canadian ,conference was thus confronted by a double danger--the danger of division in their congregations1 and the danger of increased power against their claims to equal rights and privileges2 and a two-fold duty devolved upon them--to prevent division if possible1 and1 at the same time1 to secure the attainment of their own constitutional rights4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the meantime other disturbing influences occurred4 ,in #ahbd1 an agitation was commenced1 with a view to take the appointment of the ,presiding ,eldership out of the hands of the ,bishops1 and make the office elective by the annual ,conferences4 ,the ,presiding ,elders of ,upper ,canada 7,rev4 ,henry ,ryan and ,rev4 ,william ,case7 opposed this change1 and1 in consequence1 failed in their election by the ,genesee ,annual ,conference as delegates to the ,general ,conference4 ,mr4 ,ryan was chagrined at this result1 and on his return to ,upper ,canada commenced to agitate for an entire separation from the ,american ,church4 ,a memorial to that effect was sent to the ,general ,conference4 ,the request was not granted1 but the ,canadian work was set off to itself as the ,annual ,conference of the ,methodist ,episcopal ,church in ,canada4 ,this was not what ,mr4 ,ryan wanted1 and it displeased him4 ,the theme of his complaint was the domination of republican ,methodism and the tyranny of ,yankee ,bishops4 ,he therefore1 set himself again to agitate for entire independence4 ,finally1 after having been the means of stirring up personal strife all through the ,connexion1 the ,conference of #ahbg directed that he should be reproved and admonished by ,bishop ,hedding in presence of the ,conference4 ,this was done4 ,next day ,mr4 ,ryan withdrew from the ,conference4 7,see chapter vii47 ,the high-church party encouraged ,mr4 ,ryan in his disaffection2 and when he withdrew1 and set up a separate church organization1 ,dr4 ,strachan actually sent ,mr4 ,ryan #bjj to assist him in his schismatical efforts6 7,epochs1 page #cje47 ,hon4 ,john ,willson1 ,speaker of the ,house of ,assembly1 and formerly a ,methodist1 joined the high-church party1 and did all he could to aid and encourage ,mr4 ,ryan4 ,thus1 in addition to the #ej sent to ,mr4 ,ryan by ,ven4 ,archdeacon ,strachan1 to aid him in his schismatical crusade against the ,conference1 a ,government grant of #fff 7#b1ffd7 was made to the new organization at the instance of ,mr4 ,willson in #ahcc1 and #cch 7#a1ceb7 in #ahcd4 7,epochs1 page #cei47 ,the cry of disloyalty having been again raised1 the ,government and clerical party 7for they were one under the control of the ,archdeacon of ,york71 lost no time1 therefore1 in maturing a plan to induce the ,british ,conference again to undertake the occupancy of ,upper ,canada as missionary ground1 and forthwith to send missionaries into the province for that purpose4 ,a correspondence was opened between the head of the ,canadian ,executive ,government1 ,sir ,john ,colborne1 and the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,committee1 on the subject of the new missionary enterprise into ,upper ,canada4 7,epochs1 page #cje47 ,the result was1 that in ,may1 #ahcb1 without notice1 an intimation was received that the ,rev4 ,robert ,alder1 and twelve missionaries were to be sent out to ,canada4 ,with a view to avert the calamity of again having hostile ,methodist camps in every city and town in ,upper ,canada1 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson suggested to ,dr4 ,ryerson that the ,canada ,conference should endeavour to form a union with the ,british ,conference1 and thus secure harmonious action instead of discord and disunion4 ,this was done1 and provisional arrangements were made with ,dr4 ,alder at the ,hallowell ,conference of #ahcb1 subject to the ratification of the ,british ,conference4 ,this ratification was made1 and took effect in #ahcc1 and the union continued for four or five years only4 ,about the year #ahdj1 a considerable controversy arose in regard to the payment of an annual grant of #ijj by the ,government1 in aid of the general work of the ,church4 ,it may be well1 therefore1 to state the circumstances under which this grant was made1 and then point out the personal causes which intensified the feeling of estrangement between the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences4 ,in a letter on this subject to the ,provincial ,secretary1 dated #bhth ,december1 #ahdb1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,rev4 ,robert ,alder was in ,upper ,canada in the spring and summer of #ahcc1 negotiating on the subject of the grant and the union1 which ,sir ,john ,colborne was anxious to promote4 ,the ,canadian ,conference1 aided by ,dr4 ,alder's counsels1 agreed to propose certain articles of union with the ,english ,conference4 ,those articles contemplated a financial1 as well as ecclesiastical union2 and ,dr4 ,alder expressed his conviction that the ,english ,conference would grant #a1jjj per annum out of its ,contingent ,fund1 to aid our ,conference1 besides the aid granted out of the ,mission ,fund1 in aid of ,missions in ,upper ,canada4 ,a copy of these proposed articles of union was forthwith laid before ,sir ,john ,colborne by ,dr4 ,alder1 and published in the ,guardian1 of the #bith ,august1 #ahcb1 five days after which ,sir ,john ,colborne wrote to ,lord ,ripon1 recommending a grant to the ,wesleyan ,committee of #ijj per annum on terms of the comprehensive scheme mentioned on page #aee4 ,but the ,government delayed making any payment until ,october1 #ahcc1 after the ratification of the union by both bodies4 ,in the meantime1 however1 the ,english ,conference declined granting any aid out of their ,contingent ,fund1 and had a clause inserted in the ,articles of ,union against any claims upon the funds of the ,english ,conference on the part of the ,canadian ,preachers4 ,of this clause in the ,articles of ,union the ,government seems never to have been made aware until ,lord ,sydenham came to ,upper ,canada in #ahci4 ,in a long and valuable historical letter to ,mr4 ,murdoch1 ,chief ,secretary to ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 dated ,may1 #ahdb1 ,dr4 ,ryerson further said3-- ,the first payment of the grant was made in ,october1 #ahcc1 a few days after the final ratification of the ,articles of ,union by the ,canadian ,conference2 so that every payment of the grant was made and applied according to the usage prescribed by the ,articles of ,union4444 ,dr4 ,ryerson then discussed various matters relating to their usage1 and the articles of ,union1 and proceeded3 ,some weeks after ,lord ,sydenham's arrival in ,toronto1 ,his ,lordship sent for me--as ,i was afterwards informed1 at the recommendation of ,sir ,allan ,mac,nab1 ,receiver-,general ,dunn1 and others--but the interview1 and one or two subsequent ones1 related entirely to the objects of his ,lordship's mission1 in accomplishing which1 he desired all the aid ,i could give him4 ,the last week of the year #ahci1 and the first week of #ahdj1 ,lord ,sydenham spent in seeing various parties and concerting a measure on the clergy reserve question4 ,he sent for the ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,stinson and ,richey 7agents of the ,london ,wesleyan ,committee7 as well as for me4 ,as all the present difficulties grew out of these interviews of the ,london ,wesleyan ,committee's agents and myself1 with ,lord ,sydenham1 ,i think it important to state the substance of them1 and the evidence on which ,i make my statement4 ,first as regards myself4 ,the proposed measure being intended to secure a continued payment of grants already made out of the ,casual and ,territorial ,revenue1 and the ,clergy ,reserve ,fund1 to the parties receiving them1 ,i submitted to ,lord ,sydenham that1 as the three principal denominations 7,church of ,england1 ,church of ,scotland1 and ,roman ,catholics7 received large aid out of one or both of these funds1 it was clear that unless some assistance was granted to the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church before the passing of the ,clergy ,reserve ,bill1 and transferred with other charges by the provisions of the ,bill1 we would be effectually excluded from obtaining any aid for a series of years4 ,i submitted to ,lord ,sydenham an application1 which ,i had been directed to make1 in behalf of the ,upper ,canada ,academy--now ,victoria ,college4 ,his ,lordship acceded to the justice of my views1 but replied that aid was given to us also in the form of an annual grant4 ,i replied1 and sought to impress upon his ,lordship1 that the grant referred to by him had not been made to the ,canadian ,conference1 and did not operate to its advantage1 but to the sole advantage of the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,society in ,england2 and1 at his request1 ,i prepared a statement of the case in writing4 ,it will be seen by the date of my letter that these communications took place ,january #bnd1 #ahdj4 ,it is perfectly clear1 therefore1 that up to that time there could have transpired between ,lord ,sydenham and myself1 nothing relative to the transfer of the grant4 ,on the same day1 ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,stinson and ,richey 7agents of the ,wesleyan ,committee7 had an interview with ,lord ,sydenham4 ,they told him that the union between the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences was not likely to continue2 and prayed 7in their memorial1 written the day after7 that the sum intended for the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,canada1 should be given to the ,wesleyan ,methodists1 who are now1 and who may be hereafter1 connected with the ,british ,wesleyan ,conference4 ,i believe ,lord ,sydenham's laconic reply was1 that he had to do with religious bodies in ,canada1 not in ,england4 ,it will be seen that the communication of ,messrs4 ,stinson and ,richey1 as well as mine1 served to impress ,lord ,sydenham that there was not an identity of interests between the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences1 as he had supposed1 and1 as ,his ,lordship said1 ,her ,majesty's ,government also supposed4 ,a day or two after ,messrs4 ,stinson and ,richey's interview with ,lord ,sydenham1 ,i waited upon him1 when ,i was given to understand that a memorial had been presented to him in behalf of the ,british ,conference1 on the ground of an anticipated dissolution of the ,union4 ,my feelings of surprise and indignation1 and my remonstrances against such a monstrous proposition1 may be easily conceived4 ,it is known that ,lord ,sydenham1 from the very first1 viewed such a proposition with disapprobation2 it was on this occasion also that ,his ,lordship apprised me of the conclusions he had come to on the subject of any proposition for a grant to the ,canadian ,conference1 previously to passing the ,clergy ,reserve ,bill2 that he was satisfied that the ,canadian ,conference had a just claim to assistance2 that it did not derive any practical benefit from the grant to the ,london ,committee1 but that it ought to do so1 as such were the original intentions of the ,government in making it4 ,lord ,sydenham stated his recollection of the intention of the ,government in #ahcb to be--and perhaps the recollections of ,lord ,stanley may be to the same effect--that it was supposed by the ,government1 from communications from ,upper ,canada1 that the ,wesleyans here were not quite as 7conservatively7 loyal as was desirable2 that it being understood they were willing to unite with the ,english ,conference1 the ,government thought it advisable to enable the ,english ,conference to assist them1 as it would exert a salutary influence upon their feelings and usefulness4 ,thus was the grant made2 but from the peculiar nature of the articles of ,union1 the leading objects of the grant had never been accomplished1 as the ,canadian ,conference had to support all its own members and institutions--except a few missions--as much since1 as before the ,union4 ,he had1 therefore1 determined to write to ,lord ,john ,russell1 and recommend a different distribution of the grant2 believing that to accomplish the original and benevolent objects in ,canada1 it ought to be placed under the entire control of the ,canadian ,conference4 ,in these views ,i did1 of course1 gratefully concur1 although ,i never fully understood until then the intentions of the ,imperial ,government in making the grant4 ,i also thought the course proposed would defeat the intimated project of breaking up the ,union1 and furnish real aid to the ,church of which ,i was appointed advocate and representative4 ,leaving the matter in the hands of ,lord ,sydenham1 ,i had no intention of saying anything more upon the subject1 until1 nearly a fortnight afterwards1 when ,his ,lordship requested me--as ,i was so familiar with the subject--to furnish him with a written statement of the financial relations of the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences1 in regard to the grant1 etc41 as it would aid him in preparing his despatch to ,lord ,john ,russell4 ,i did so4 ,the letter1 written at the request of ,lord ,sydenham1 was intended as a memorandum for his ,lordship4 ,but he thought it best to transmit a copy of it with his own despatch to ,lord ,john ,russell1 by whom it was enclosed to the ,wesleyan ,committee2 and hence the present controversy4 ,that letter is dated #agth ,january1 #ahdj4 ,i cannot but feel that ,i labour under great disadvantages in the present discussion1 from the numerous representations and statements which the ,wesleyan ,committee have made to the noble ,secretary of ,state to my disadvantage4 ,my standing1 as a public man1 is my all1 and therefore1 however small relatively1 is as important to me as a kingdom to a monarch4 ,as the ,wesleyan ,committee have made me so prominent a subject in this affair1 ,i have offered to submit to ,his ,excellency1 ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 or to the ,executive ,council--or to ,his ,excellency and the ,executive ,council--or to the ,lord ,bishop of ,toronto2 or to the ,moderator of the ,synod of the ,church of ,scotland in ,canada--or to the ,lord ,bishop of ,toronto and the ,moderator of the ,scotch ,synod--and to bind myself in any penalty to abide by the decision of such tribunal4 ,when the ,wesleyan ,committee are accusers1 judge1 and jury in their own case1 it is not likely they will be very impartial2 but if there is a shadow of truth or justice in their accusations and statements1 ,i have given them full opportunity to secure the confirmation of them1 by the highest tribunals1 in the country of my life and labours4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,wesleyan ,committee declined to refer the matter in dispute to an independent tribunal1 and ,dr4 ,alder wrote to members of the ,canadian ,conference impugning ,dr4 ,ryerson in the strongest terms1 insisting upon his withdrawal of certain things which he had written1 and making various threats4 ,dr4 ,ryerson decided then to address a final letter to ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,bunting1 ,beecham and ,hoole1 ,missionary ,secretaries4 ,this he did on the #aith ,october1 #ahdb4 ,this letter1 and the preceding letter1 are doubly valuable from the fact that they embody a number of interesting details of the interviews and correspondence between ,lord ,sydenham and ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and also between ,sir ,charles ,bagot and ,dr4 ,ryerson1 which have not hitherto been published4 ,there is a tone of manly dignity and independence in this letter which commends itself1 and which were characteristic of ,dr4 ,ryerson in his best moods as a controversialist4 ,from the letter1 which extends to thirty-four foolscap pages ,i make the following extracts4 ,he said3-- ,i wish the most extended success to the general labours of the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,society1 however much they have sought to retard those of the ,canadian ,conference2 nor have ,i ever objected to their labours among the destitute white settlements and heathen tribes of ,canada2 ,i only object to their works of schism1 and division4444 ,did you ever think of sending missionaries1 or of employing your money and men1 in our regular circuits1 before the breaking up of the ,union8--,kingston1 or ,belleville1 or ,toronto1 or ,hamilton1 or ,brantford1 or ,london1 etc48--places where there is no more need of missionary men or missionary money than there is in ,city ,road1 or ,great ,queen street circuits in ,london--places in which it is notorious that the soul1 body1 and strength of your societies consists1 not in converts from the world1 but in secessions from the ,canadian ,conference4 ,when1 therefore1 four-fifths of your missionaries 7so called7 in ,western ,canada are employed on regular circuits of the ,canadian ,conference1 is it surprising that ,i should complain1 remonstrate1 and condemn8 ,the burden of ,dr4 ,alder's letter is that ,i have been the first1 gratuitous1 and wanton aggressor upon the character and motives of those to whom the ,british ,conference has entrusted the transaction of its most important business2 and1 as such1 the author and fomenter of the difficulties between the ,british and ,canadian ,conferences4 ,and it has been more than once intimated on your part that if ,i1 the ,jonah1 were thrown overboard1 the commotion of the ,methodistic element of ,western ,canada would soon cease1 and mutual confidence and joy would be restored to the whole ship's company4444 ,need ,i add1 that in the columns of your ,watchman newspaper1 and in the pages of pamphlets1 and in your ,wesleyan in ,canada1 not only my public conduct1 but my character1 my motives1 my principles1 have been impugned without delicacy or restraint8 ,need ,i add1 that the ,canada ,conference and myself have been the defendants1 and you the assailants1 throughout8 ,that in ,dr4 ,alder's letter to ,lord ,john ,russell the proceedings of the ,canada ,conference are represented as revolutionary8 ,i am also impeached in almost every form of phraseology--the ,christian integrity and loyalty of my brethren and myself have been impugned by your agents throughout this country--our fields of labour have been invaded1 and our flocks divided1 while our principles and feelings have been resented as dangerous to the safety and interests of the ,state4 ,yet ,dr4 ,alder complains of the occasional exposure of these things in the ,guardian1 and is rampant at the application of the word divisionists1 to those of your missionaries who are dividing our regular societies1 and establishing rival congregations on our regular circuits6444 ,but1 in reply1 there may be opposed to the unanimous resolutions of your ,conference1 adopted in ,liverpool1 in #ahbj1 and the whole tenor and spirit of the ,new ,testament1 especially the writings of ,st4 ,paul1 who denounces partialities for ,peter1 or ,paul1 or ,apollos1 as pretext for schisms in the ,church of ,god4 ,then as to my desire to protract litigation4 ,does my having done all in my power to have the affair referred to a third party--to any impartial tribunal you might prefer--evince the truth of such a charge8 ,or does your refusing to agree to any such reference look most like desiring to protract hostilities8 ,great ,britain and other civilized nations have more than once submitted their differences to the decision of a third party2 ancient churches did the same2 ,i have advocated the same2 you refuse2 your refusal does not certainly argue a consciousness that you are right1 or a desire for peace1 whatever else it may argue4 ,furthermore1 as to my own feelings and conduct1 ,i will let the following memorandum1 which ,i presented at the late session of the ,canada ,conference1 speak in reply to your various allegations3-- ,i hereby resign my seat in the ,conference of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,canada4 ,i do not resign my membership in the ,conference1 but ,i resign all privilege and right to take part in its deliberations1 or even to be present at its sittings4 ,i hold myself as much as ever responsible and subject to the ,conference1 and am as ready as ever to do all in my power to defend the ,conference and ,institutions of the ,church when necessary2 but ,i voluntarily relinquish participating in any way whatever in its ,executive or ,legislative ,councils4 ,the following are the considerations which have induced me to take this step3-- #a4 ,my presence and participation in the proceedings of the ,conference have been represented as forming an insuperable obstacle to any adjustment of differences between the ,wesleyan ,conference in ,england1 and this ,conference4 #b4 ,i prefer the unity of ,methodism1 and an honourable adjustment of differences between two branches of the great ,methodist family1 to the exercise of any influence ,i may possess1 or may be supposed to possess in the ,councils of this ,conference2 or to the profit and pleasure ,i may derive from attending the annual deliberations of my reverend and beloved brethren4 #c4 ,i can now take this step without incurring any imputation upon my character1 and without injuring the interests of the ,conference1 or of the ,church at large4 ,i respectfully request that this memorandum may be inserted in the journals of the ,conference1 as an official record and recognition of this my voluntary act4 7,signed7 ,egerton ,ryerson4 ,hallowell1 ,june #ad1 #ahdb4 ,you will see from the above memorandum1 that ,i proposed to relinquish all except my connection with a church which ,i had joined in obedience to conscience1 and my connection with a field of labour to which ,i believed myself called by the voice and providence of ,god4 ,my request was laid upon the table of the ,conference for a day1 and then pressed by me with as much propriety as ,i could employ on such a subject1 but1 with one exception 7,andrew ,prindle71 was unanimously rejected1 it being insisted that ,i should not be allowed to change my relations to the ,conference1 in any respect1 on account of your differences with me4 ,to relinquish my connection with the ,church1 and my labours as a ,methodist minister1 involve considerations which ought not to yield to the impulse of passion1 or bow to the suggestions of expediency4 ,by ,god's grace1 therefore1 ,i hope to be able to stand in my place to the end of the day1 say or do what you may4444 ,dr4 ,alder and his ,canadian friends have advised you from the beginning that my standing and influence in ,canada was merely political2 that ,i was aware of this1 and was1 therefore1 determined to employ myself in political affairs in order to gratify my ambition4 ,my assertions to the contrary were1 of course1 rejected and scorned by you4 ,well1 nearly three years have elapsed since1 by common consent1 ,i have had nothing whatever to do with the civil affairs of ,canada1 as all the public men in it know4 ,my own conduct1 therefore1 has thus far refuted one part of the statements of your informers4 ,as to the other part1 has my standing as a public man declined8 or1 have all parties1 during that period1 awarded me a testimony of regard more gratifying than that which ,i had ever before received from any party8 ,you were also told that my principles were revolutionary1 and were so viewed by the wealth and intelligence of this country1 which would support you and repudiate me and those connected with me4 ,what do you now see1 but the ,government at home and in ,canada adopting the very system of administration1 both in religious1 educational1 and civil affairs1 which ,i maintained many years ago to be most suitable to the social condition of this ,province2 and the wealth and intelligence of our population 7save a little knot of ,puseyite ultras7 rejoicing in its establishment2 and the country in happy tranquility1 and blooming with prosperity1 under its operations8 ,what do you see but ,her ,majesty possessing a strength far more formidable than that of swords or bayonets1 in the hearts of her ,canadian subjects8 ,what do you see1 but three branches of the ,legislature unanimously incorporating as a ,college1 with the privileges of a ,university1 an institution under the direction of the ,canada ,conference 7which you had repudiated71 and in compliance with an application which ,i had the honour to have advocated1 and according to the provisions of a ,bill1 verbatim et literatim1 which ,i drew up8 ,what do you see1 but that same ,legislature1 with equal unanimity1 granting #ejj to the same institution1 and lately1 by the recommendation of ,his ,excellency1 ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 renewing that grant as an annual aid to the institution1 now presided over by the individual against whom all your attacks have been directed8 ,can ,i but feel a grateful1 as well as a dutiful attachment to a ,government so perfectly consonant with my own feelings8 ,can ,i but feel an honest pride1 retrospecting the past1 and looking abroad upon the present1 to see in the constitution and spirit of ,her ,majesty's ,canadian ,government my own views and wishes carried out to the very letter8 ,can ,i but rejoice1 to see several members of the ,government on our ,college ,board and ,senate--and to be aided by their counsel1 abilities1 and influence8 ,i advert to these facts with heart-felt thankfulness1 as a practical vindication of my life and character against your imputations1 and as an indication strong1 if not providential1 that ,i have1 in the main at least1 endeavoured to do my duty to my ,god1 my ,sovereign1 and my country4444 ,unconnected as ,i am with any party1 and on friendly terms with leading men of all parties1 countenanced by the ,government1 aided by the ,legislature1 and sustained by the public1 ,i can1 by the divine blessing1 employ my humble abilities1 even under the weight of ,dr4 ,alder's frowns1 to rearing up a large body of well instructed youth1 and a considerable number of ministers1 who1 ,i hope1 will be a blessing to this their country1 and to the church1 and who will1 doubtless1 do justice to me when both ,dr4 ,alder and myself shall be receiving our reward according to our respective works1 whether they be good or bad4444 ,my differences with you are wholly of a public and official character2 personally ,i esteem and honour you as much as ,i ever did1 and wish you ,god speed in your general works of faith and divine labours of love4444 ,the only persons in ,england with whom ,i have the slightest personal difference are ,dr4 ,alder and ,mr4 ,lord1 for their uncalled for and unjust personal attacks upon me4 ,i cherish no ill-feeling towards them4 ,but ,i ask not your indulgence2 ,i fear you not2 ,i know and admire you as distinguished servants of the ,most ,high1 but as greatly mistaken as to what truly appertains to one hundred and twenty-one itinerant ministers1 and a large and growing branch of the ,wesleyan body in ,western ,canada--a body now beginning1 like yourselves1 to raise up a regularly educated as well as a zealous ministry4444 ,this epistle shall be my witness to the ,government1 to the church1 and to posterity1 that the dreadful disgrace and varied evils of perpetuating the present unseemly violation of ,methodistic and ,christian unity in ,upper ,canada1 and the creation and continuance of unnatural and unchristian schisms and divisions in a ,christian church1 lie not at my door2 and that for the sake of peace1 ,i have offered to do all that could be demanded of me by reason of ,christianity4444 ,as the ,government is interested in this controversy1 ,i shall deem it my duty to enclose a copy of the present letter to ,his ,excellency the ,governor-,general1 with a request that ,his ,excellency will have the goodness to forward it to ,her ,majesty's ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonial ,department1 that ,her ,majesty's ,government1 both at home and in this country1 may fully understand the present posture of this affair1 at least as far as you and myself are concerned1 and with whom lies the responsibility of this continued controversy4 99 99 99 99 99 ,for the reasons given above to the ,secretaries of the ,wesleyan ,conference in ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson transmitted a copy of his letter to them to ,sir ,charles ,bagot1 on the #ajth ,december1 #ahdb1 accompanied with an explanatory letter1 from which ,i extract the following narrative connected with this matter3--,two weeks before the late ,lord ,sydenham's arrival in ,toronto 7in ,november1 #ahci71 at a meeting of the agents of the ,london ,committee1 and the ,executive ,committee of the ,canadian ,conference1 every matter of misunderstanding and jealousy1 as far as ,i know1 was satisfactorily settled4 ,it was explicitly agreed on all sides1 and recorded1 that ,i should press the settlement of the clergy reserve question4 ,on other things it was my wish and aim to remain neutral4 ,this ,i did1 until some weeks after ,lord ,sydenham's arrival4 ,parties were very equally divided on the question of the union of the ,canadas1 and the terms on which it should be effected4 ,i was then ,editor of the ,guardian2 ,i was desired by the agents of the ,london ,wesleyan ,committee and their friends 7and some of my own friends71 to oppose the union of the ,canadas2 ,lord ,sydenham sent for me1 and earnestly solicited me to advocate it1 and assured me that it should involve no change in the principles of our ,constitution1 but even secure greater privileges to the people of ,canada1 and that it was the only hope of ,canada4 ,he promised1 in case he could get the ,union measure through the ,canadian ,legislature1 to apply himself to the settlement of the clergy reserve question1 in accordance with such principles as ,i had expressed1 and which he understood to be general in ,upper ,canada4 ,after much consideration1 ,i consented to give a decided support to the ,government in that great measure4 ,the agents of the ,london ,committee were greatly offended1 and were sure1 as were many others1 that ,lord ,sydenham would not be supported by the ,imperial ,parliament1 and threatened a breaking up of the union between the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences2 and in about three weeks afterwards1 they intimated to ,lord ,sydenham that the union between the two bodies would not be continued1 and sought to get the ,methodist portion of the proceeds of the clergy reserves secured to those who should be connected with the ,british ,wesleyan ,conference4 ,lord ,sydenham1 learning the circumstances in which ,i was placed1 opposed by the agents of the ,london ,committee and all the opponents of the union of the ,canadas1 and by the radical reform portion of the press1 for assenting to the application of the clergy reserves to religious purposes at all1 and by many of the members of my own ,church1 because ,i assented to a ,bill which recognized the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland by name1 and not the ,methodist ,church1--assured me of all protection and support that his ,government could give4 ,i asked for nothing but a due consideration and protection of the interests of the ,church which ,i represented4 ,of this ,i received repeated assurances2 and when1 a few months afterwards1 ,lord ,sydenham received from ,lord ,john ,russell1 a copy of ,dr4 ,alder's first letter to his ,lordship1 ,lord ,sydenham not only renewed the private expression of his views and purposes1 but introduced them voluntarily in an answer to a congratulatory address of the ,canadian ,conference4 ,in reference to these very matters1 out of which the present question has arisen1 ,lord ,sydenham thus expressed himself1 and pledged the faith of his ,government4 ,he said3-- ,whilst ,i administer the affairs of the ,canadas1 it is my duty to look to the feelings of the people of that country2 and you will find me ever ready and willing1 whenever any question connected with the ,executive ,government may arise1 to support the reasonable views1 and maintain the just rights of your society1 as expressed through your recognized authorities within these ,provinces4 ,when it was ascertained that the ,english ,conference would not abide by the articles of union1 and that several months' delay had taken place without carrying out the views which ,lord ,sydenham had expressed--that an ,act on the clergy reserve question had been passed by the ,imperial ,parliament1 different in several important respects from that which ,lord ,sydenham had got through the ,canadian ,legislature1 it was our intention to have the claims and interests of our ,church in respect both to the grant and clergy reserves1 brought under the consideration of the ,canadian ,legislature4 ,but previously to taking this step1 ,i was directed to proceed to ,kingston 7,june1 #ahda71 to ascertain what measures the ,government were disposed to adopt2 when ,i learned from ,lord ,sydenham that he had been empowered to settle the question of the grant1 and that in that and all other respects he would consult the interests of our ,church to the utmost of his power4 ,it was not his wish to communicate his decision officially until near the close of the session of the ,legislature1 which1 unhappily1 proved to be the end of his life4 ,what has since transpired is within the personal knowledge of ,your ,excellency4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after all this correspondence1 the question of reunion with the ,british ,conference was often and earnestly discussed privately between leading members of the ,canadian and ,british ,conferences1 as well as in the ,american ,methodist journals4#acb ,in ,october1 #ahdc1 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson1 then in ,sheffield1 ,england1 wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the subject1 and said3-- ,there is a strong desire on the part of many of our most influential ministers that the work in ,canada should be consolidated and made one4 ,it is certainly most desirable that there should be one vigorous1 united1 and prosperous ,methodist ,church2 in which the pure doctrines of ,methodism1 and of the ,gospel1 shall be preserved1 and a refuge for those who really want to be saved shall be presented--to all those1 ,i mean1 who prefer our religious system to any other4 ,now1 my dear sir1 allow me to say1 that ,i think that the only two men in the world who can effect this most desirable object1 are yourself and ,dr4 ,alder4 ,if any plan could be adopted by which you and he could be reconciled to each other1 the work would be done2 and it will not be done effectually1 ,i fear1 until this is the case4 ,i still entertain the hope of spending many happy and useful years in ,canada2 and ,i thank you sincerely for your kind offer with reference to ,cobourg4 ,i cannot forget the happy1 and1 ,i may say1 holy hours we have spent together before ,god in prayer2 and ,i hope and trust we shall yet be found side by side in the ,church militant and in the ,church triumphant4 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson wrote again in ,december1 and was very urgent in regard to the reunion of the ,conferences4 ,he says3 ,let us still labour and pray for the great object of union4 ,every day1 and every aspect which the ,church and the world presents1 deepens the conviction of my mind of its necessity1 and ,i hope we shall live to see a united and prosperous ,church in ,canada1 against which the gates of hell cannot prevail4 ,we are now very busy with our ,educational movements4 ,we intend to raise #bjj1jjj in seven years1 and we shall1 by the ,divine blessing1 succeed4 ,our people were never more united1 and truly ,methodistical in their feelings and purposes4 ,god has a great work for us to do in the world1 and if we are but faithful1 we shall be a greater blessing to our ,empire than we have ever been4 ,in ,november1 #ahdd1 after his arrival in ,london1 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed a letter to his two friends1 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson and ,rev4 ,g4 ,marsden1 on the ,union question4 ,from ,mr4 ,stinson he received a reply1 from which the following is an extract3-- ,i heartily congratulate you on your promotion4 ,i pray that you may be happy and useful in the interesting and responsible station assigned you by the providence of ,god and the ,government of your country4 ,i hope your visit to this country may be one of those ,providential events which will lead to the accomplishment of an object which lies as near to my heart now as it ever did--the unity of our ,methodist interests in ,canada4 ,the aspects of the times at home and abroad surely are plainly indicating that our very existence as a ,church depends1 in no small decree1 upon our unity4 ,in the meantime1 if ,i can1 by any little influence ,i have1 be able to effect a reconciliation between you and our friends at the ,mission ,house1 nothing on earth will afford me so much pleasure4 ,rev4 ,g4 ,marsden1 in his reply to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 said3-- ,often have ,i reflected with deep interest on the whole of that very important affair--the union of the two bodies2 and though it was afterward dissolved1 ,i firmly believe that the union at that time was of ,god4 ,it gave a favourable opportunity for our ,conference reviewing and improving the code of ,discipline1 and ,i hope that it is now rendered permanent4 ,in that respect ,i believe you in ,canada are on good ground2 and ,i could almost wish that it may be unalterable4 ,there may be attempts made1 under the pretence of improvements1 to alter in future our ,book of ,discipline1 but ,i trust that those preachers who were at the ,conference when the ,discipline was settled and solemnly agreed upon1 will not hastily adopt any material alterations4 ,the union was also providential as it occurred before the rebellion commenced4 ,so far it appeared to be in the order of ,providence2 and though in a few years the union was dissolved1 yet you have gone on well in ,canada1 and the ,lord has prospered you4 ,the position which you now occupy is one of great importance1 as it respects the future good of ,canada4 ,if the youth of that country be trained up in sound ,christian principles1 the country1 as it respects the inhabitants1 may become one of the finest in the world4 ,the old countries are formed1 yours is in some measure yet to be formed2 and as is the education1 such in all probability will be the inhabitants in future4 ,dr4 ,ryerson after his arrival in ,england1 also addressed a letter to ,dr4 ,bunting1 dated ,december #aath1 #ahdd1 as follows3-- ,i desire your acceptance of the accompanying publication relating to the ,metcalfe controversy4 ,the ,prefatory ,notice and ,address will explain to you the circumstances under which it was written4 ,i take the liberty of presenting you with this publication1 not merely from feelings of profound respect for yourself personally1 but also for the following reason3--,that you may have the best possible proof of the sentiments which ,i have ever inculcated upon the public mind in ,canada1 and which are current among the ministers and members of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in that country4 ,in appendix ,no's4 #c and #d1 pages #aga-agh1 ,i have made extracts from what ,i wrote between the years #ahch and #ahda1 the period1 in ,august1 #ahdj1 during which both my sentiments and conduct were impugned in your presence4 ,you will probably recollect that ,i then stated that my principles were strictly ,british1 and such alone as could perpetuate ,british authority in ,canada4 ,the fact that the present ,governor-,general of ,canada1 and ,her ,majesty's present ,government--apart from a candid inquiry into the nature of them--have staked their character and authority in ,canada upon those principles1 is ample proof of their constitutional orthodoxy and essential importance2 and the manner in which ,sir ,charles ,metcalfe has been1 and is1 supported in ,upper ,canada1 is sufficient evidence of their influence over the public mind there1 without your expending some three thousand pounds a year of missionary money within the bounds of the regular self-supporting and missionary-contributing circuits of the ,canada ,conference in order to teach us loyalty4 7,see pages #bhb1 #bhc47 ,since ,i was last in ,england1 ,i have not written a word on civil affairs1 except a short obituary notice of the late ,sir ,charles ,bagot 7which was not inserted in the ,christian ,guardian1 any more than what ,i have recently written7 until the publication which ,i herewith transmit4 ,by referring to pages #acd1 #aec1 #afd1 you will find that ,i have not1 even as an individual1 written for party1 or in the spirit of party1 but with a view of giving and securing the application of a ,christian interpretation of the fundamental principles of the ,british ,constitution1 and of all good government4 ,i am thankful that ,i have been permitted to live and give to the ,british ,government in ,england1 and to the public in ,canada1 a more tangible and abiding proof of my principles and feelings than the representations which were made of them in your presence in #ahdj4 ,it may not be improper for me to add1 that the appointment with which the ,government has honoured me1 in placing under my direction1 the public educational instruction of the youth of ,upper ,canada1 was not accepted by me1 until after my ministerial brethren1 officially1 as well as unofficially1 expressed their approbation of my doing so4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after the ,conference of #ahde1 ,dr4 ,ryerson 7then in ,europe7 received a letter from ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 in which he said3-- ,the ,conference received a note from the sub-,secretary of the ,british ,conference1 enclosing certain resolutions which had been passed two years ago1 appointing a committee to settle matters with the ,canada ,conference respecting the differences between the two ,connexions4 ,our ,conference appointed a similar committee1 and the ,secretary was directed to communicate to the ,british ,conference1 and request it to make some proposals for settlement1 as they had rejected all the proposals which we had made4 ,in fact1 parties here have taken advantage of the overtures which we have made to injure the ,canada ,conference1 while there is no move on the part of the ,british ,conference to indicate that they even desire a settlement4 ,for my own part1 ,i would have gone so far as to have made the proposal which you suggested2 but ,i could not influence a majority of the ,conference to do so4 ,the belief here is gaining ground that the ,british ,conference has no intention to settle the differences2 that they are only tampering with us1 and1 at the same time1 they are striving to get the #gjj4 ,i believe that no settlement can be effected until that grant matter is adjusted1 and that no grant will be paid until that settlement is made4 ,i cannot forget the reprehensible conduct of the ,missionary party1 in sending a missionary to ,bytown1 at the very time that they were pretending to negotiate a settlement with us6 ,still ,i am anxious to do almost anything to effect an adjustment of our misunderstandings2 but ,i fear that the ,british ,conference1 influenced by the ,missionary party here1 will accede to no feasible plan of settlement--at all events1 not while these men are kept here1 and are allowed to have the influence in ,england which they seem to possess4 ,you are aware1 of course1 that a party in ,toronto have for these six months been publishing a paper1 the object of which is by agitation among our people1 to drive the ,conference to censure you and your political writings4 ,the ,radical party in the ,conference tried to get that body to pass some such resolutions as ,rev4 ,c4 ,r4 ,allison introduced at ,brockville1 but they totally failed4 ,the ,conference in reply to two memorials--the one from ,brantford1 and the other from ,cobourg--defended the resolutions passed at ,brockville on political matters1 and the pastoral address of the same year1 and remarked that it saw no reason to say more than it had said4 ,this was sadly mortifying to the parties opposed to you4 ,however1 every effort of that party in this and other questions totally failed4 ,they were left in most miserable minorities in everything they undertook of a party and revolutionary character4 ,the party has assailed all of our funds1 especially our ,missionary ,society and ,victoria ,college4 ,indeed1 there was nothing connected with our institutions which they have not tried to injure1 taking good care to connect your name with everything1 so as to let the ,church know that you would be a sacrifice entirely satisfactory to them4 ,political matters in the country are in a state of great quiet4 ,i think the present ,government has got on strong ground--being assailed by the two extreme sharks--the ,pilot and the ,patriot4444 ,the impartiality and high-minded justice of the ,governor-,general are becoming more and more apparent4 ,indeed1 ,i do not think the ,radicals will be able to recover their power in any degree while ,lord ,metcalfe remains1 certainly not if he continues1 in defiance of party strife1 to administer the ,government as it has been administered since the present ,council has been organized4 ,the ,university ,question is a most perplexing one1 and the ,ministry will find the utmost difficulty to so devise a plan of settlement so as to satisfy a majority of the people and carry the ,house with them4 ,after this correspondence on the ,union question had taken place little was done and less resulted from it4 ,when ,dr4 ,ryerson returned to ,canada1 he wrote to ,rev4 ,peter ,jones1 then in ,england1 to see ,rev4 ,dr4 ,james ,dixon1 and urge him to come to ,canada4 ,in ,february1 #ahdf1 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,jones replied3-- ,on receiving your letter ,i lost no time in calling upon ,dr4 ,dixon1 who appeared pleased with the invitation from our ,executive ,committee4 ,he said that if he could see that his visit to ,canada would bring about a reconciliation between the two ,conferences1 he would be most happy to go4 ,i am very glad that the ,committee have invited him to come and inspect the state of affairs4 ,i believe that the invitation will do much good1 whether ,dr4 ,dixon goes or not1 as it will be seen that our ,conference is anxious for a settlement1 and courts investigation4 ,i do assure you that we are getting very homesick2 and ,i am heartily tired of the work of begging4 ,i shall be glad when we are again quietly settled in our own wigwams4 ,in reply to this invitation1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,dixon wrote a letter to ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in ,march1 in which he foreshadowed the important ,methodistic legislation which resulted in the establishment of the ,general ,conference which met at ,toronto in #ahgd1 with ,dr4 ,ryerson as its first ,president4 ,dr4 ,dixon said3-- ,my own idea is that a measure much more comprehensive than that of a mere settlement of these disputes is needed4 ,the time must come when the ,north ,american provinces will be united ecclesiastically1 by having a ,general ,conference of their own1 in connexion with the ,provincial or ,district ,conferences1 after the manner of the ,united ,states4 ,things must come to this at no remote period2 and this being the case1 it seems reasonable to consider such a scheme in connection with the measure now under review4 ,to do the thing well will require1 of course1 very much and mature deliberation4 ,in case such a measure should be thought of1 some form of fellowship1 some bond of union--must be recognized betwixt the ,british ,conference and such a body as ,i contemplate4 ,here is a ticklish point--it is at this point that all splits and quarrels begin4 ,but clearly the line of justice1 religion1 and a ,christian experience may be discovered1 if honestly sought4 ,i am deeply convinced myself that the organization of such a body as ,i refer to must1 in the nature of things develop the energies of ,methodism in the ,provinces infinitely more vigorously than can be secured by the action of a distant government4 ,i venture to throw this out as my general feeling and impression4 ,of course1 it has been thought of by others as well as myself2 and ,i found the other day from ,rev4 ,peter ,jones that the subject is engaging the attention of different parties on your side of the water4 ,could you not open a discussion on this question in your periodicals8 ,but it should be free from party bias1 from angry passions1 from national views and partialities2 indeed1 the discussion of such a subject requires the highest reason1 philosophy and statesmanship4 ,if a calm head and pure patriot could be found amongst you to argue such a point1 it would be clearing the ground4 ,of the soundness of the principle that the ,methodist body ought to be one in all the adjacent colonies2 and ,i am convinced that it would be wise and expedient to establish as soon as men's minds are prepared for it1 such an establishment as a general colonial ,conference4 ,and in the present state of things1 ,i conceive it would be useful to receive a certain amount of ,british influence in such a ,conference4 ,you cannot do very well without us2 and on this side there would be great alarm at the idea of an entire separation4 ,but all these are questions of detail4 ,let me say now1 that ,i have a strong desire to visit your ,provinces--,i should like above all things to obey your call2 but ,i see it possible not only to do no good1 but to do harm1 by exasperating parties on my taking up an independent position4 ,let me say1 ,i think the object we desire is being promoted by your communication2 and ,i hope that either myself1 or some other one better fitted1 will1 ere long1 appear amongst you as a messenger of peace4 ,i long to see it4 ,it would afford ,mrs4 ,dixon and ,i the highest gratification to see you in this country again--to have the very great delight to see you by our fireside1 and experience over again some of the happy moments we dearly enjoyed in your friendly society4 ,thank ,god there is a ,christianity infinitely above ecclesiastical divisions1 and sub-divisions2 and there is a depth of feeling and affection in the human heart which cannot be destroyed by the miserable squabbles of nations and churches4 ,at the ,conference held at ,kingston1 after the receipt of this letter from ,rev4 ,dr4 ,dixon1 it was considered expedient to send a deputation from ,canada to the ,english ,conference4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson and ,rev4 ,anson ,green were selected for this important mission and soon left for ,england4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from his brother ,john1 dated ,bristol1 ,august #ast1 he says that3-- ,the difficulties in the way of any proper adjustments of our differences seem to be almost insurmountable4 ,prejudices so strong and so extensive1 have been excited against us that we1 as the representatives of the ,canada ,conference1 are looked upon with shyness1 if not fear and contempt4 ,our situation is anything but pleasant2 it is even distressing and painful4444 ,rev4 ,joseph ,stinson is most cordial and affectionate1 and is doing his utmost to further the object of our mission and promote peace in ,canada2 this is also the case of ,rev4 ,william ,lord4 ,subsequently ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson wrote to say that3-- ,dr4 ,alder presented the address of our ,conference1 and also the certificate of our appointment to the ,british ,conference4 ,it was moved by ,dr4 ,bunting1 and seconded by ,dr4 ,alder1 that the address be received1 and that we be affectionately and cordially requested to take a seat in the ,conference4 ,the resolution was opposed1 and it called up a warm debate4 ,the opposers contended that their connection with the ,canada ,conference and its matters had only been a source of trouble and injury to themselves1 and that1 as the ,union was now dissolved1 they should keep aloof from all intercourse with us4 ,the resolution was warmly supported by ,doctors ,bunting1 ,alder1 ,beaumont1 ,dixon1 ,mr4 ,lord1 and ,mr4 ,stinson4 ,it at length passed triumphantly1 and all things are coming out right1 and will end well4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson again wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,bristol3 ,although we took our seats in the ,conference last week1 yet we were not formally introduced until yesterday4 ,it is clear that ,dr4 ,alder and others were resolved that we should not take our seats on the platform1 but ,mr4 ,lord and ,mr4 ,atherton 7the ,president7 and others were resolved that we should4 ,the ,president accordingly stated that the brethren from ,canada1 ,representatives of the ,canada ,conference1 would be introduced to the ,conference1 and would take their seats on the platform1 which we did4 ,what ,dr4 ,alder may hereafter do1 ,i know not2 up to this time his conduct has been cold and repulsive2 he1 however1 continually declares that he is in favour of an adjustment of matters in ,canada4 ,in looking at matters here1 ,i cannot express the painful anxiety of my mind2 sometimes ,i can neither eat nor sleep1 and it quite destroys all the satisfaction which ,i might otherwise enjoy from a visit to ,england4 ,had ,i known that things would be as ,i find them1 ,i should never have come to ,england4 ,i left ,canada distressed in mind about our mission2 the distress has only continued to increase every day since4 ,were ,i to follow the strong impulse of my mind1 ,i should leave at once and return to ,america4 ,all this was changed1 however2 and on the #aeth ,september ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson thus writes to ,dr4 ,ryerson as to the final issue of negotiations with the ,british ,conference3-- ,after four days' conference in committee on ,canada affairs1 the whole business was brought to a happy and most amicable conclusion4 ,when ,i wrote my last letter ,i was under most painful apprehensions respecting the results of our mission4 ,little change took place in the bearing of the leading men towards us1 until we met in committee on the #ith inst4 ,then a most full1 frank1 and undisguised explanation of all missionary and domestic matters was entered into4 ,after this full unburthening of ourselves1 the one to the other1 a totally different feeling seemed to come over ,drs4 ,bunting1 ,alder1 and the whole committee--which consisted of about thirty leading members of the ,british ,conference4 ,in consequence of the strong feeling which exists chiefly in ,lower ,canada1 the ,british ,north ,american plan mentioned by ,dr4 ,dixon in his letter to you1 was thought not practicable at present4 ,the plan of settlement to which we have agreed1 is a union with the ,british ,conference1 on a basis similar to that by which the ,british and ,irish ,conferences are united4 ,the ,british ,conference appoints our ,president and the ,superintendent of ,missions1 as in the former union2 all of our missions become missions of the ,wesleyan ,missionary ,society2 our ,missionary ,society is auxiliary to their ,society4 ,the #gjj grant is to be placed under the ,missionary ,committee1 to be appropriated for missionary purposes in ,canada4 ,on the other hand1 all the regular ,british ,missionary circuits in ,canada1 are to be placed under the ,canada ,conference1 the same as any other circuits2 and there are to be no missionary districts2 but the missionaries are to be members of the different districts in the bounds of which their missions are situated4 ,the missionaries are to be stationed by our ,stationing ,committee1 the same as other ministers4 ,the ,british ,conference is to appropriate #fjj sterling annually to our contingent fund2 and the ,missionary ,committee is to place #djj at the disposal of our ,conference for contingent purposes4 ,more kindness1 more nobleness of sentiment and feeling1 ,i never witnessed than was manifested towards us after we had succeeded in removing suspicion1 and allaying fears1 etc4 ,in the course of the conversations1 your name came up frequently1 but always in terms of great respect2 only they all seemed to think that you got astray in the matter of the disruption of the union4 ,i assured them1 however1 that no man in ,canada was more desirous of a settlement of differences than you were1 and in order to the attainment of it1 you were desirous that all the past should be forgotten1 and that henceforth in these matters all should become new4 ,i assured ,dr4 ,alder that no man in ,canada would receive him more cordially than you would4 ,this assurance seemed to be very gratifying to him and all the other ministers present4 ,on the #bdth ,november1 #ahdf1 after the return of the ,conference delegation from ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed the following letter to ,drs4 ,bunting and ,alder3--,at the suggestion of my brother1 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 and in accordance with my own feelings1 ,i take the liberty of addressing you a few lines on adjustment of differences between the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences1 and the concentration of the work of ,methodism in ,upper ,canada4 ,in the arrangement which has been mutually agreed upon between your ,committees and the ,canadian ,representatives1 ,i entirely concur4 ,into the consideration of a measure so purely ,christian and ,wesleyan1 ,i have never allowed1 and could not for a moment allow1 any sense of personal injury to enter4 ,i have had the pleasure of expressing to the ,conferential ,committee of the ,canadian ,connexion my appreciation of the honourable and generous arrangement to which you have agreed1 and to propose a resolution expressive of the concurrence of that ,committee in that arrangement1 to which it assented cordially and unanimously4 ,i have also had the pleasure of moving that ,rev4 ,m4 ,richey be invited to occupy the relation to ,victoria ,college which ,i have for some years sustained1 and to which the ,college ,council has also unanimously agreed4 ,nor shall ,i hesitate to use every exertion in my power to complete and render beneficial an arrangement so honourable to the ,british ,conference1 and so eminently calculated to promote the best interests of ,methodism in ,western ,canada4 ,your treatment of my dear and most beloved brother1 ,john1 ,i regard and acknowledge as a favour done to myself4 ,i did not do myself the honour of calling upon you personally when ,i was in ,england1 nor should ,i feel myself at liberty to do so even now1 were ,i again to visit ,london4 ,it is not that you have objected to many things that ,i have said and done1 and have expressed your objections in the strongest language4 ,in this you have acted as ,i have done1 and for which ,i ought not either to respect or love you the less4 ,but1 in your resolutions of ,april1 #ahdj1 you were pleased to charge me with an utter want of integrity2 and in a subsequent series of resolutions1 you were pleased to represent me as unworthy of the intercourse of private life4 ,these two particulars of your proceedings attracted the painful notice of the late ,sir ,charles ,bagot before ,i ever saw him1 and1 ,i have reason to believe1 made no slight impression on the mind of his successor1 the late venerated ,lord ,metcalfe2 and they have sunk deeply into my own heart4 ,but ,i have not so much as alluded to them in my official intercourse with my ,canadian brethren1 nor will ,i do so2 and as a member of the ,canadian ,conference1 ,i shall 7if spared7 receive and treat ,dr4 ,alder with as much respect and cordiality as ,i ever did1 and shall do my best to render his contemplated visit to ,canada agreeable to himself1 and successful in its objects4 ,i have1 more than once1 through the press1 disclaimed any imputation upon his integrity1 motives1 or character2 but with his recorded declaration of my utter want of integrity1 and my unfitness for social intercourse in private life1 ,i feel that my own conduct towards him should be confined to official acts and official occasions2 in which ,i shall treat him with as much cordiality as ,i would any other member of the ,english ,conference4 ,had it not been for the two particulars in your former proceedings to which ,i have referred1 ,i should have as readily sought the opportunity of paying you my personal respects1 during my recent visit to ,england1 as ,i did in #ahcf4 ,i have thought this explanation1 at the present moment1 due both to you and to myself4 ,i assure you at the same time of my personal regard1 and of my desire and purpose to promote1 in every possible way1 the great objects which you have proposed1 viz41 the amicable reunion between the ,english and ,canadian ,connexions4 ,the amende was subsequently made4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in order to place the ,english and ,canadian reunion question fully and fairly before the ,english ,wesleyan public1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was requested to prepare an article on the subject for the ,london ,watchman4 ,this he did4 ,rev4 ,m4 ,richey writes from ,montreal1 on the #bhth ,june1 #ahdg1 and thus acknowledges the service which ,dr4 ,ryerson had rendered in this matter3-- ,your promptitude in preparing an article for the ,watchman1 and the ability1 as well as noble spirit of ,wesleyan catholicity by which it is characterized1 have afforded to ,dr4 ,alder the highest satisfaction4 ,the article perfectly corresponds to the ideal he had conceived of a production adapted to place the whole matter before the transatlantic public so as best to accomplish the important object4 ,the article will doubtless appear in the earliest impression of the ,watchman1 to the joy of thousands of hearts4 ,he has also to acknowledge the receipt of the address of the ,canada to the ,british ,conference4 ,permit me to assure you that ,dr4 ,alder and myself most affectionately reciprocate your expressions of kindness and regard1 and we have every confidence that no elements will be ever hereafter permitted to disturb either our ecclesiastical relations or our personal friendship4 ,on his return from ,canada1 ,dr4 ,alder wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 under date of the #agth ,september1 expressing his grateful feelings at the result of his visit4 ,he said3-- ,i assure you of the recollection which ,i cherish of the candid and manly part which you took1 both in public and in private1 in connexion with the various important matters of business which were brought before us during the sittings of the last ,conference in ,toronto1 as well as previous to the meeting of that assembly4 ,i have not failed in my communications since my return1 to do you that justice to which you are so well entitled2 and ,i trust1 as ,i doubt not you do1 that the good understanding which has thus been restored1 will be as permanent as it is gratifying4 ,much will depend upon you1 as well as upon myself1 in securing the harmonious working of the union which has been accomplished2 and ,i shall always be happy to receive from you free and full communications1 which will be regarded by me as confidential4 ,dr4 ,alder in a subsequent letter1 to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 said3-- ,in the ,watchman ,i have prefaced an account of our ,missionary ,anniversary by a few observations1 in which ,i have taken occasion to bear testimony to the spirit and conduct of your brother ,william1 as well as of your own1 with a view1 not merely to perform an act of justice to you1 but to prepare the way for the appointment of one1 or you both1 coming1 either now1 or at some future period1 in a representative character1 to our ,conference1--an arrangement which1 ,i am persuaded1 will be productive of much good in various ways4 ,in carrying out practically so great a measure as that of the union1 difficulties of no ordinary kind will be felt4 ,i have pressed upon1 and fully explained our financial matter to1 ,earl ,grey1 who has1 ,i believe1 written to ,lord ,elgin on the subject4 ,i think ,i have made ,earl ,grey understand the peculiarity of our case4 ,you must press the matter on your side4 ,in the union matter you must have the greatest practical freedom of operation4 ,i have explained my views to ,dr4 ,dixon1 your new ,president1 who sailed last ,saturday in the best of spirits4 ,in a fraternal letter1 written in ,july1 #ahdg1 to the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,olin1 ,president of the ,wesleyan ,university1 ,middletown1 ,conn41 ,dr4 ,ryerson gave some particulars as to the union with the ,british ,conference4 ,he said3-- ,you have1 doubtless1 ere this1 heard that a complete adjustment of past differences between the ,wesleyan ,conferences in ,england and ,canada1 has been effected1 and that provision has been made for a perfect oneness of their interests and labours in ,upper ,canada4 ,this important object has been accomplished with a cordiality1 and unanimity1 and devotion1 that ,i have never seen surpassed1 and without the loss--so far as has yet been ascertained--of a single minister or member of either body1 and to the universal satisfaction and even joy of both parties4 ,we look upon it with gratitude and wonder1 as the ,lord's doing1 and as marvellous beyond expression in our eyes4 ,in a reply to this letter written to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in ,september1 #ahdg1 ,dr4 ,olin discusses the question of the ,union1 and also the relations of the ,church1 ,north and ,south1 on the ,slavery question3-- ,i do most cordially rejoice at the happy termination of your negotiations with the ,wesleyan body in ,england4 ,i must confess1 however1 that ,i have been somewhat disappointed at the results of your attempts to get on as an independent ,conference4 ,in theorizing upon the subject1 ,i have concluded that union would be far more likely to embarrass than to facilitate your movements4 ,i have since learned that there were disturbing influences not discernible by observers at a distance1 growing out of the occupancy of the field by conflicting agencies2 the heterogenous character of your population and the power of home associations1 etc4 ,i rejoice that you have overcome these various obstacles1 and are likely to have harmony for the future4 ,all parties will probably be warned and instructed by the temporary interruption in your connexional relations4 ,all must be now deeply impressed with the importance of forbearance and concessions after an experience so memorable of the necessity of union4 ,i deeply regret that you should have received anything but kindness from our side of the line4 ,i think ,i can assure you that1 as a ,church1 our sympathies are1 and have been1 strongly with you2 but the natural and spontaneous feelings of the ,body are not well expressed2 and they are in imminent danger of being perverted on certain questions1 which1 unfortunately1 become party questions amongst us4 ,the ,methodist ,episcopal ,church is passing through a crisis4 ,it has fallen upon her to decide momentous questions under peculiar temptations to error4 ,the ministers are pure and high1 above all liability to be influenced by corrupt motives2 but we are calamitously enough thrown into a position where we must judge between ourselves and our brethren1 with powerful interests and more potent prejudices to mislead us4 ,beyond all reasonable doubt1 we are coming to an issue for which1 it is my opinion1 the ,church of ,christ1 the world and history1 will not cease to reproach us4 ,and yet we are coming to that issue with a good conscience1 honestly1 so far as party spirit and blind prejudice1 and the most unfortunate leading1 has left us the power of being honest4 ,i wish my convictions of the right were not quite so unchangeably settled4 ,it would afford me unspeakable relief to be able to suspect that the predestined course of the ,church could be other than a flagrant violation of justice4 ,i would gladly surrender my opinion1 if ,i could avail myself of even the benefit of a doubt in favour of retraction4 ,how we shall hereafter be looked upon by the world1 is a consideration of less interest than another which perpetually thrusts itself upon my fears--what will ,god pronounce upon our policy8 ,my only hope is in the indulgence wont to be extended to errors1 and even to high offences which are the result of haste1 excitement1 or prejudice4 ,all of these mitigations may be claimed in anticipation in behalf of the measures which will certainly prevail at our next ,general ,conference4 ,of the vast majority1 which will deny to the ,south what ,i esteem their unquestionable rights1 ,i am sure ,i shall never suspect a man of doing an intentional wrong4 ,i hope your public sentiment and your press will enable to temper their disapprobation with this needful infusion of charity4 ,after his return to ,england ,rev4 ,dr4 ,dixon1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 thus referred to the impression which his visit to ,canada made upon him4 ,he said3-- ,my impressions are strong respecting the importance of ,methodism in ,canada4 ,it is at present a glorious religious element in the country1 and will become much more powerful4 ,the colony is destined to become1 either in its present1 or some new connection1 a great empire4 ,it is consequently of great importance to adapt your religious system to existing things1 preserving points of doctrine4 ,i must say1 that ,i never think of my intercourse with you2 my journeys with your brother2 my connection with the ,conference2 and the kindness of the brethren1 but with feelings of intense interest4 ,in imagination1 ,i try to live everything over and over again4 ,many faces and persons are imprinted on my mind2 and almost every scene through which ,i passed lives in vivid reality4 ,i am often journeying down your glorious lakes and rivers1 gazing on your woods and forests1 and stretching myself in the expanse1 as if there were room to live and breathe4 ,then1 the affection and kindness of everybody6 ,the people and the scenery agree4 ,all is magnificent in ,america4 ,i hope you may be able1 by the divine blessing1 to preserve the purity of religion amongst you4 ,i have strong feelings on one point--viz43 the necessity of giving to all our movements an evangelic and aggressive character4 ,we ,methodists are so fond of organizations of every sort1 and hence of legislating and placing everything under rule and order1 that we leave no room for extension and for development4 ,i am convinced that a religious system which does not act on the evangelic principle2 and1 moreover1 have good people free to work and exercise the divine affection1 must break down4 ,i consider myself much more in the character of an observer now1 than an actor in anything4 ,i have finished my mission1 as regards public work4 ,it ended in ,canada2 and the above are my last1 and1 ,i believe will remain1 my unalterable convictions4 ,our danger is over-legislation2 cramping the energies of living piety by decrees and rules2 laying too much weight on the springs of individual movement2 destroying the man in society1 the committee1 etc4 ,i am glad to hear that you preach constantly4 ,this is all that ,i care about--to endeavour to do some little good in the way of saving souls4 ,noble work this6 ,so let me intreat you never to let your other avocations interfere with this glorious calling4 ,it is painful to see some men merge the ministerial character in some pitiful clerkship--some book-keeping affair4 ,and worst of all1 these parties take it into their head1 generally amongst us1 to consider themselves and their office as much higher than that of the messengers of ,christ6 99 99 99 99 99 ,two deaths of notable representative men in ,canadian ,methodism occurred during #ahdf3--,rev4 ,thomas ,whitehead and ,rev4 ,james ,evans4 ,rev4 ,thomas ,whitehead was the venerated representative of the early pioneers of ,methodism in ,upper ,canada1 and ,rev4 ,james ,evans was a remarkable type of the self-sacrificing and devoted missionaries of that ,church in the great ,north-west4 ,a brief sketch of each of these ministers will illustrate points in the history of ,methodism in ,upper ,canada1 without which the account of ,dr4 ,ryerson's career and labours would be incomplete1--especially as he had to do with both of these ministers during his lifetime4 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,whitehead was one of these so-called ,yankee ,methodists1 whom ,dr4 ,ryerson so often and so strenuously defended against the charge of disloyalty2 and ,rev4 ,james ,evans was one of the five brethren with whom he remonstrated so earnestly and yet so kindly in #ahcc4 7,see page #aca47 ,rev4 ,thomas ,whitehead was in many respects a strongly-marked representative man4 ,he was elected ,president at the memorable ,special ,conference held1 in the dark days of the ,church1 in #ahdj4 7,page #bgd47 ,a characteristic letter from him to ,dr4 ,ryerson will be found on page #bgf4 ,mr4 ,whitehead was born in ,duchess ,county1 ,new ,york1 in ,december #agfb1 when it was still a ,british ,province4 ,he was1 therefore1 not a ,yankee ,methodist1 but a ,united ,empire ,loyalist4 ,he commenced his ministry in #aghc1 and went on a mission to ,nova ,scotia and ,new ,brunswick1 where he remained from #aghf until #ahjd4 ,in ,september1 #ahjf1 he was sent by ,bishop ,asbury to ,upper ,canada1 where he resided for forty years4 ,he preached his last sermon on ,christmas ,day1 #ahde4 ,he was in the ministry #fb years1 and died at ,burford in ,january1 #ahdf1 aged #hc years4 ,rev4 ,james ,evans was one of the most noted missionaries of the ,north-west2 and was specially so from the fact that1 by his wonderful inventions of the syllabic character in the ,cree language1 he has conferred untold blessings upon the ,indian tribes and missions of all the ,churches in that vast ,north-,west territory1 in which he only was permitted to labour for six years4 ,mr4 ,evans was born in ,england in #ahjj4 ,he was converted in ,upper ,canada1 and in #ahcj entered the ,christian ministry1 and was a member of the ,canada ,conference from that year4 ,in #ahdj he volunteered his services as a missionary to the ,north-west4 ,at his station of ,norway ,house1 he devoted himself to his great work4 ,rev4 ,e4 ,r4 ,young1 in the ,canadian ,methodist ,magazine for ,november1 #ahhb1 thus speaks of ,mr4 ,evans' eminent service to the mission cause by his famous invention4 ,he says3-- ,the invention of what are known as the syllabic characters was undoubtedly ,mr4 ,evans' greatest work1 and to his unaided genius belongs the honour of devising and then perfecting this alphabet which has been such a blessing to thousands of ,cree ,indians4 ,the principle on which the characters are formed is the phonetic4 ,there are no silent letters4 ,each character represents a syllable1 hence no spelling is required4 ,as soon as the alphabet is mastered1 the student can commence at the first chapter in ,genesis and read on1 slowly of course1 at first1 but in a few days with surprising facility4 ,when the invention became more extensively known1 and other ,churches desired to avail themselves of its benefits1 the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society nobly came to the help of our own1 and the kindred ,churches having missions in the ,north ,west1 and with their usual princely style of doing things1 for years have been printing1 and gratuitously furnishing to the different ,cree ,indian missions1 all the copies of the ,sacred ,word they require4 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,young relates an interesting anecdote connected with this alphabet1 which occurred when he was a missionary in the ,north-,west4 ,during ,lord ,dufferin's visit there he conversed with ,mr4 ,young in regard to the ,indians in these distant regions1 and expressed his solicitude for the welfare and happiness of these wandering races1 and made general enquires in reference to missionary work among them4 ,mr4 ,young adds3-- ,in mentioning the helps ,i had in my work1 ,i showed him my ,cree ,indian ,testament1 in ,evans' ,syllabic ,characters1 and explained the invention to him4 ,at once his curiosity was excited1 and jumping up he hurried off for pen and paper1 and had me write out the whole alphabet for him1 and then with that glee and vivacity for which ,his ,lordship was so noted1 he constituted me his teacher1 and commenced at once to master them4 ,their simplicity1 and yet wonderful adaptation for their designed work became clearly recognized by him1 for in a short time he read a portion of the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,lord ,dufferin became quite excited1 and1 getting up from his chair1 and holding the ,testament in his hand1 exclaimed1 ,why1 ,mr4 ,young1 what a blessing to humanity the man was who invented that alphabet6 ,then continuing1 he added1 ,i profess to be a kind of literary man myself1 and try to keep up my reading of what is going on1 but ,i never heard of this before4 ,the fact is1 he added1 the nation has given many a man a title1 and a pension1 and then a resting-place1 and a monument in ,westminster ,abbey1 who never did half so much for their fellow-creatures4 ,then turning to me again1 he asked1 ,who did you say was the author1 or inventor of the characters8 ,the ,rev4 ,james ,evans1 ,i replied4 ,well1 why is it1 ,i never heard of him before1 ,i wonder8 he answered4 ,my reply was1 ,well1 my lord1 perhaps the reason why you never heard before of him was1 because he was a humble1 modest ,methodist preacher4 ,with a laugh he replied1 ,that may have been it1 and then the conversation changed4 7,pages #dcg1 #dch47 ,the following are examples of the ,,cree ,,syllabic ,,characters4 ,cree characters a1 e1 oo1 ah4 ,cree characters pa1 pe1 poo1 pah4 ,cree characters ta1 te1 tooh1 tah4 ,cree characters cha1 che1 choo1 chah4 ,cree characters na1 ne1 noo1 nah4 ,cree characters ka1 ke1 koo1 kah4 ,cree characters ma1 mee1 moo1 mah4 ,cree characters sa1 see1 soo1 sah4 ,cree characters ya1 yee1 yoo1 yah4 ,the following is the mode of forming words3-- ,cree characters ,mah-ne-tooh--,great ,spirit4 ,cree characters ,oo-mee-mee--,dove4 ,cree characters ,nah-pah-ne--,flour-making4 ,,footnotes3 #acj ,in a letter to him from the ,rev4 ,a4 ,green1 dated ,november1 #ahdb1 the desirability of a union with the ,episcopal ,methodists was pressed upon his attention4 ,mr4 ,green said3--,the ,episcopal ,methodists are gaining ground in many circuits4 ,it would be of much service to us1 could we take them on board the old ship again4 ,i learn from ,brother ,richardson that they are anxious for this1 and that ,mr4 ,reynolds would give up his claims1 and many of their preachers would retire1 could they effect it4 ,but in some parts of the ,province the re-union would be opposed2 and some members have said1 that they would even join the ,english missionaries if we were to be united with them 7the ,episcopals74 ,you are a wise man1 tell us what we should do4 ,if we do not take steps soon1 it will be entirely too late4 ,i understand that they talk of having a ,bishop elected soon1--and should ,mr4 ,richardson or ,mr4 ,smith be appointed1 it would add greatly to the influence of the party2 and yet ,i cannot now see what steps we could safely take1 until we settle the ,english ,union question1 for they would take advantage1 ,i fear1 of such a reconciliation1 to prejudice the old country members against us4 ,i wish also to obtain your views upon the propriety of petitioning the ,governor-,general1 at once1 for a share of the public money granted for the purchase of ,sabbath-school books4 ,the sum of #aej goes into the hands of ,dr4 ,strachan annually1 for that purpose2 and where is it8 ,we are never benefited a farthing by it6 ,could we obtain one-half1 or even one-third of the sum for our schools1 it would be of great service to them4b b ,i have no copy of the reply sent to this letter4 ,the letter itself1 however1 shows what subjects were being discussed in ,methodist circles in #ahdb4 #aca ,epochs of ,canadian ,methodism1 pages #bib-bid4 #acb ,dr4 ,thomas ,bond1 ,editor of the ,new ,york ,christian ,advocate1 having suggested in ,december1 #ahdb1 the basis of settlement of the differences between the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences1 ,rev4 ,w4 ,m4 ,harvard wrote from ,quebec to ,dr4 ,bond1 dissenting from his proposition4 ,dr4 ,bond1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 commenting on ,mr4 ,harvard's objections1 thus refers to the ,canadian ,connexion3 ,the ,canada ,conference was sound in the faith1 and well affected to primitive ,wesleyan discipline1 and when it came of age1 the ,methodist ,episcopal ,connexion allowed them1 and aided them1 to go to housekeeping by themselves4 ,we knew of no objection on either subject1 when we1 with the kindest of feelings1 have now hinted at the possibility of an amicable arrangement between our ,british and ,canadian brethren4 ,,chapter ,l4 #ahdf-ahed4 ,miscellaneous ,events and ,incidents of #ahdf-ahed4 ,after his return from ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was engaged in the preparation of his ,report on a ,system of ,public ,instruction for ,upper ,canada1 from which ,i have given extracts on page #cfh4 ,in that report he gave the broad outlines of his proposed scheme of education1 and fully explained the principles of the system which he proposed to found4 ,he also prepared a draft of a ,bill designed to give effect to some of the most pressing of his recommendations4 ,in a letter to a friend1 dated #ahth ,april1 #ahdf1 he said3--,my report on a system of public elementary instruction occupies nearly #djj pages of foolscap4 ,it will explain to all parties what ,i think1 desire1 and intend4 ,but ,i would not hesitate to resign my situation to-morrow1 and take my place and portion as a ,methodist preacher1 if ,i thought ,i could be as useful in that position to the country at large4 ,my travels have added to my limited stock of knowledge1 but they have not altered my principles1 or changed my feelings4 ,to another friend he wrote about the same time3--,as the science of civil government is the most uncertain of the uncertain sciences1 if ,i should fail in my exertions--if counteracting influences should intervene which ,i cannot now foresee1 and give success to the opposition against me1 or paralyze my influence--,i would not remain in office a day1 or would ,i retain it any longer than ,i could render it a means of strength to our system of government as well as of good to the country4 ,i would rather break stones on the street than be a dead weight to any government1 or in any community4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it may be of interest at the present time to learn what was ,dr4 ,ryerson's opinion of ,mr4 ,gladstone in #ahde4 ,writing in the ,guardian of ,march #ahth1 #ahdf1 in reply to strictures on that statesman1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,during my late tour in ,europe1 ,i was one evening present at the proceedings of the ,british ,house of ,commons1 and heard ,mr4 ,gladstone1 the ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 avow a change in his opinions in regard to ecclesiastical and educational matters4 ,sir ,robert ,peel's ,government had determined to establish several colleges in ,ireland1 not connected with the ,established ,church4 ,mr ,gladstone1 in his book on ,church and ,state1 had maintained that the ,national ,church was the only medium through which the ,legislature ought to instruct the nation in every department of knowledge4444 ,there was1 therefore1 a complete antagonism between ,sir ,robert ,peel's policy and ,mr4 ,gladstone's book4 ,on the night ,i was present1 ,mr4 ,gladstone 444 frankly stated that he had written a book advocating an opposite policy to that which ,her ,majesty's ,government had deemed it their duty to pursue1 in establishing secondary colleges in ,ireland2 that further reflection and experience had convinced him that his views were not correct2 that he fully concurred in the policy of the ,government in respect to those colleges1 and should1 as an individual member of ,parliament1 give it his support2 but that should he do so as a ,minister of the ,crown1 after having publicly avowed very different sentiments1 he would not be in a position to place his motives of action above suspicion4 ,to exonerate himself1 therefore1 from the imputation1 or suspicion1 of being actuated by a love of office or power1 to support1 as a ,minister of ,state1 what he condemned as an author1 he resigned his office2 and to do justice to his present convictions of what he conceived the interests of ,ireland demanded1 he avowed his change of opinion1 and his determination to support the ,irish policy of ,sir ,robert ,peel1 with whom he declared he cordially concurred in every measure which had been discussed in the ,cabinet4 ,sir ,robert ,peel followed in a beautiful and touching speech--appealing to the sacrifice which the ,cabinet had made in the loss of so able a member as ,mr4 ,gladstone1 as a proof of the sincerity of the ,government1 and the strength of its convictions in its ,irish educational policy4 ,the conduct of those two distinguished statesmen 7,dr4 ,ryerson adds7 towards each other on that occasion1 presented one of the finest examples of strong personal friendship between two public men that ,i ever witnessed4 99 99 99 99 99 ,no man excelled ,dr4 ,ryerson in his respect and love for his parents4 ,this was apparent from many incidents1 and from the tone of his mother's and father's letters to him1 as given in this volume4 ,he generally wrote to them at the beginning of each year4 ,his letter dated ,toronto1 #ast ,january1 #ahdg1 is1 however1 the only one which ,i have4 ,it is as follows3-- ,my ,dear and ,most ,venerated ,parents1-- ,as heretofore1 the first work of my pen is employed in presenting to you my filial respects1 and offering you my dutiful and affectionate congratulations at the commencement of another year1--lifting up1 as ,i most earnestly do1 my heart to ,almighty ,god1 that1 having brought you at so advanced an age to the beginning of this year4 ,he will make it the happiest1 as well as the holiest of your lives6 ,i cannot but regard the lengthening out of your earthly pilgrimage so much beyond the ordinary period of human life--so much beyond what ,i expect to reach--as a special means and call of ,god to become fully ripe for heaven4 ,you stand a long time on the margin of eternity--may that margin prove the verge of eternal glory6 ,as the body grows feeble1 may the soul grow strong6 ,as the bodily sight becomes dim1 may the heavenly vision become brighter1 and the heavenly aspirations and assurances stronger6 ,how great the privilege1 and how soul-cheering the thought1 especially at the approach of death1 to know that your life is hid with ,christ in ,god4 ,it is in safe keeping1 and the disclosure of it bye-and-bye will be glorious beyond conception2 for when ,christ1 who is our life1 shall appear1 shall we then appear like ,him in glory4 ,the sufferings of the present life1 however severe and protracted1 are not worthy to be compared with the glory which that life shall reveal4 ,o1 my dear parents1 may that glory be yours in all the fulness of its splendour1 and in all the perfection of its beatitudes6 ,i thankfully acknowledge the receipt of the two pairs of socks--the last of the many like tokens of my ,mother's affection1 and the work of her own hands4 ,i scarcely ever put them on without a gush of feeling which is not easily suppressed4 ,they every day remind me of the hand which sustained my infancy and guided my childhood1 and the heart which has crowned my life with its tenderest solicitudes1 and most fervent and1 ,i believe1 effectual prayers4 ,praised be ,god above all earthly things1 for such a ,mother6 ,may ,i not prove an unfaithful son6 ,we are all well4 ,i was at brother ,george's to-day4 ,i hope to see you in the course of the winter4 ,each of the family unite with me in expressions of dutiful respect and affection to you4 ,please remember me to all those who reside with you1 and to all relatives1 and old acquaintances and neighbours4 ,with daily prayers at the family altar for your health1 comfort and happiness1 and anxiously desirous of hearing from you1 ,i am1 my most honoured ,parents1 your affectionate son1 ,toronto1 #bnd ,january1 #ahdg4 ,egerton ,ryerson4 ,between ,dr4 ,ryerson and ,rev4 ,peter ,jones a life-long friendship existed4 ,in a note to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,credit1 ,nov4 #ast1 #ahdg1 ,mr4 ,jones says3 ,i had the pleasure of receiving a set of your ,school ,reports1 for which ,i thank you from the bottom of my heart1 and ,i trust ,i shall receive much valuable information which may prove beneficial in our ,indian ,school schemes4#acc ,my brother1 ,i thank you for all the kindness you have ever shown to me and my dear family1 and ,i hope and pray that the friendship which was formed between us many years ago will last for ever4 ,pray for us4 ,rev4 ,peter ,jones had been an inmate of ,dr4 ,ryerson's house during his last illness in #ahef4 ,as the crisis approached he desired to return to his own home in ,brantford4 ,after he reached there1 ,ven4 ,archdeacon ,nelles visited him1 and in a note to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated #beth ,june1 said3--,mr4 ,jones has been gradually sinking ever since his return from ,toronto4 ,he enjoys great peace of mind1 and ,i believe truly trusts on that ,saviour whom he has so often pointed out to others as the only refuge and hope of poor sinners4 ,may my last end be like his4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after the change of administration1 consequent on the result of the recent elections1 it was confidently stated that ,dr4 ,ryerson would be removed from office4 ,having written to his brother ,john on the subject1 his brother replied1 on the #ith of ,february1 #ahdg1 as follows3 ,it is quite certain that combined and powerful efforts are being made against you by certain parties1 no doubt with a determination to destroy you as a public man1 if they can4 ,the feeling of the radical party is most inveterate4 ,they are determined1 by hook or by crook1 to turn you out of the office of ,chief ,superintendent of ,education4 ,all the stir among the ,district ,councils1 and about the school law1 etc41 are but the schemes and measures set on foot by the party in power for the purpose of compassing the great object in view of ousting the ,superintendent of ,education4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in a letter which ,i received from ,dr4 ,ryerson1 while at the ,belleville ,conference1 dated ,june #acth1 #ahdh1 he said3--,every distinction has been shown me in the appointments and arrangements of the ,conference2 and ,i believe the great body of the preachers will sustain me in all future contingencies4 ,the ,conference thus far has been the most delightful ,i ever attended4 ,i took the evening service of yesterday1 and preached with considerable freedom to an immense congregation2 text1 ,john xvii4 #ag--;first part of verse4 ,there has been an advancement in every department of the interests of our ,church during the year4 ,this is very encouraging1 and a ground of special thankfulness4 ,judge then of ,dr4 ,ryerson's surprise and of mine on seeing the following paragraph in the ,globe newspaper1 about the same time3 ,it is said that ,egerton ,ryerson is trying to get the ,methodist ,conference to deprive him of his clerical standing1 because of his holding a permanent ,government situation4 ,in the course of his reply1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,when the situation in connection with elementary education was offered to me1 in ,february1 #ahdd1 before replying to the offer1 ,i laid the letter containing it before the large ,executive ,committee of the ,wesleyan ,conference1 and was authorized by that disinterested body to accept of the appointment4 ,when1 in the latter part of the ,may following1 ,i placed the appointment again at the disposal of the ,government1 as absolutely as if no offer had ever been made or accepted1 and determined in ,june not to accept it under any circumstances1 should the offer again be made1 a written address was got up to me1 numerously signed by the ,wesleyan ministers of the ,conference which assembled that month1 requesting me not to refuse it1 should the offer be again made2 and it is to the influence of that judgment1 in which ,i confided more than in my own feelings1 that the ,globe and some other papers are indebted for the opportunity and privilege of abusing me in my present position these last four years4 ,sir1 the ,wesleyan ,conference is as incapable of entertaining such a proposition as you have attributed to me1 as ,i am indisposed to make it2 and1 though ,i am not insensible to the honour and importance of my educational office1 ,i hold it as in all respects consistent with my relations and obligations to the ,church1 through whose instrumentality ,i have received infinitely greater blessings than it is in the power of any civil government to bestow4 ,at the proper time ,i shall be prepared to show1 that ,i was personally as disinterested 7whether right or wrong7 in what ,i wrote in #ahdd1 as in what ,i wrote in #ahch and #ahci in connection with the names of ,marshall ,s4 ,bidwell and ,j4 ,s4 ,howard1 ,esquires4 ,i have ever maintained since #ahbg what appeared to me right and important principles1 regardless of man in high or low places1 and favour or oppose what party it might4 ,i have never borrowed my doctrines from the conclaves or councils of party1 nor bowed my neck to its yoke2 nor have ,i made my office subservient to its interests in any shape or form1 but to the interest of the country at large1 so far as in my power1 irrespective of sect or party4 ,i should contemn myself if ,i could perform one act or say one word to court party favour1 or avert party vengeance1 if such exists4 ,i shall do as ,i have done1 endeavour faithfully to perform the duties and fulfil the trusts imposed upon me1 and leave the future1 as well as the past1 to the judgement of my native country1 for the equal rights of all classes of whose inhabitants ,i contended in perilous times1 and for years before the political existence of the chief public men of any party in ,canada1 with the exception of the ,hon4 ,william ,morris4 ,the question1 incidentally raised by the ,globe newspaper1 after the ,conference of #ahdh1 as to ,dr4 ,ryerson's retaining a ministerial status1 while holding and administering a civil office was brought up at the next ,conference1 held at ,hamilton1 in ,june1 #ahdi4 ,in a letter to me from the ,conference1 dated #aath of the month1 he said3--,i brought my position before the ,conference in consequence of a remark from one of the preachers1 saying1 while ,mr4 ,playter's case was under consideration1 that there was a general opposition among the members of the ,conference1 occupying the position that ,mr4 ,playter did1 or a civil situation4 ,several of the senior members of the ,conference spoke in a very complimentary way respecting me2 and a strong satisfaction was expressed from all parts of the ,conference with my position--the manner in which ,i had filled it1 and consulted the interests of the ,church--expressing their earnest desire that ,i would continue in it4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from his brother1 ,rev4 ,e4 ,m4 ,ryerson1 from ,brantford1 on ,july #bnd1 #ahdh1 it would appear1 from the foregoing1 that some hostile movement was being generally formed against him4 ,his brother said3--,i found upon my return from ,conference to ,brantford that the general topic of conversation was your dismissal from your present office4 ,when ,i told them it was not the case1 some rejoiced1 while silent grief and disappointment were visible on the countenances of others4 99 99 99 99 99 ,dr4 ,ryerson having been called to ,montreal on educational matters1 in ,april1 #ahdi1 wrote a letter to me from that city1 dated #bgth of the month1 in which he gave a graphic account of the state of the city during the crisis at that time3--,you may well imagine my surprise and regret1 on reaching ,lachine yesterday1 to learn that the ,parliament ,house had been burnt1 together with a noble library of #be1jjj volumes1 containing records of valuable books which can never be replaced4 ,on arriving in ,montreal1 ,i found nothing but confusion and excitement1 which1 instead of subsiding1 are increasing1 and it is apprehended that to-morrow will be a more serious day than any that has preceded it4 ,yesterday1 the court of the ,government ,house was filled with soldiers1 while the street in front of it was crowded with a multitude1 who saluted every appearance of any members of the ,executive ,council1 or any of their ,parliamentary supporters with hisses and groans4 ,this continued from one o'clock until eight or nine o'clock in the evening4 ,mr4 ,lafontaine came out in care of ,colonel ,antrobus and soldiers1 to get into a cab1 and he was pelted with eggs and stones4 ,not one of the ,ministers can walk the streets4 ,last night ,mr4 ,lafontaine's house was sacked1 and his library destroyed2 and ,mr4 ,hincks' house was also sacked1 but he had removed nearly all of his furniture1 as well as his family4 ,the scene of to-day was similar to that of yesterday4 ,this afternoon a meeting of several thousands of persons was held in the ,champs de ,mars4 ,i heard some of the speeches4 ,they were moderate in tone1 but the feelings of disgust and contempt for ,lord ,elgin exceed all conception4 ,there have been two vast assemblages this evening--the one ,french1 the other ,british--in different parts of the city4 ,companies of soldiers have been stationed in the streets between them1 preventing persons going from one party to the other4 ,i have heard their shoutings since ,i commenced this letter4 ,the next day ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to me again to say3--,nothing has occurred in the city since last night1 worth noticing4 ,soldiers meet you at every turn almost4 ,two companies of soldiers were stationed to-day in the building in which the ,legislative ,assembly met4 ,there was a long debate on the causes of the recent disturbances1 and strong protestations from all sides of the ,house against annexation4 99 99 99 99 99 ,an opportunity to appoint ,hon4 ,m4 ,s4 ,bidwell to the ,bench in ,upper ,canada having occurred1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 on the #crd ,september1 #ahdi1 addressed the following letter to ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin1 urging the appointment3--,there is one subject ,i take the liberty of mentioning1 although it is contrary to my practice to interfere in any matter of the kind2 but the peculiarity of it may excuse me on the present occasion4 ,i allude to the appointment of ,mr4 ,bidwell as one of the new judges in ,upper ,canada4 ,the recent history of ,europe affords many illustrations of circumstances being seized upon by despots to compel the departure of valuable and dreaded men from their own country4 ,you know that it was under such circumstances that ,mr4 ,bidwell was compelled to leave ,canada4 ,you know that it was the order of the ,imperial ,government to elevate ,mr4 ,bidwell to the ,bench1 that prompted ,sir ,francis ,head to adopt the course towards him that he did4 ,you know1 likewise1 how long1 and faithfully1 and ably1 ,mr4 ,bidwell laboured to promote the principles of civil and religious liberty which are now established in ,upper ,canada2 and that at a time when great responsibility and obloquy attached to such advocacy4 ,mr4 ,bidwell was the author1 as well as the able advocate of the laws by which the religious denominations in ,upper ,canada hold ,church property1 and by which their ministers solemnize matrimony4 ,i believe he has never altogether abandoned the hope of returning to ,canada2 but ,i believe he has felt that he was entitled to the offer of that position1 which the ,home ,government contemplated conferring upon him in #ahcg4 ,i felt it too delicate a question to propose to ,mr4 ,bidwell when ,i saw him the other day2 but my friend ,mr4 ,francis ,hall1 of the ,new ,york ,commercial ,advertiser 7who sees and converses with him every week71 expressed his full conviction that ,mr4 ,bidwell would accept a ,judgeship in ,upper ,canada--that ,mr4 ,bidwell had constantly taken the ,canadian ,law ,reports1 and procured the ,canadian and ,english ,statutes1 and kept up his reading of them as carefully as if he had lived in ,canada4 ,i believe the appointment of ,mr4 ,bidwell would be an honour to the ,canadian ,bench1 and an act of moral and political gratitude most honourable to any party1 and of great value to ,upper ,canada4 ,you are aware of the reasons for which ,i feel a deep interest in this subject1 and which will1 ,i trust1 excuse in your mind the liberty ,i take--believing1 as ,i do1 that it will be as grateful to your feelings as it will be noble in your character1 to remember a man to whom our common country is so much indebted4 ,to this letter ,mr4 ,baldwin replied1 on the #bjth ,september ,with respect to the principal object of your letter1 you need not1 ,i assure you1 have made any excuse for introducing it1 even independently of the part taken by you formerly with reference to the case of my friend ,mr4 ,bidwell1 and which alone would give you a just claim to address me4 ,i can never feel any suggestion1 no matter from what quarter1 having his good for its object1 to be an intrusion on me1 and be assured that nothing could have afforded me greater pleasure than to have had it in my power to have advised his appointment to the ,bench4 ,nor have ,i ever ceased to do all that ,i could with propriety to get him to put himself in the position which might lead to such a result4 ,you are aware of the steps ,i took in #ahdc to have his pledge to ,sir ,francis ,head cancelled4 ,i sent you1 ,i think1 the correspondence respecting it4 7,see page #cjh47 ,on that being done1 ,i wrote him a letter of which ,i preserved a copy1 from which ,i send you one4 ,by this you will see how earnestly ,i pressed him to return then4 ,had he come in1 as ,i suggested1 it was my intention to have offered him the ,crown business on whichever of the ,circuits he might have chosen4 ,i have subsequently1 as often as ,i felt ,i dared to do so1 urged his return4 ,but it has been felt impossible1 until he had placed himself in the position of a practitioner1 as formerly1 at our own1 and not at a foreign1 ,bar1 to advise his appointment to the ,bench of the ,province4 ,for myself1 although friendship might have led me to have overlooked1 or overstepped1 this difficulty1 my judgment1 when appealed to1 forced me to admit1 with my colleagues1 that the objection was insuperable4 ,i am not acquainted with the income he realizes from his profession in ,new ,york1 but ,i doubt not it is much beyond what could be obtained in ,toronto4 ,still1 if he really does wish to return to ,canada1 the time is most propitious as far as professional prospects are concerned4 ,mr4 ,sullivan1 ,mr4 ,blake1 and ,mr4 ,esten being taken from the ,bar leaves a space to be filled that1 ,i should say1 offers the best possible opening4 ,had ,mr4 ,bidwell been in his proper professional position here when the ,government was called upon to appoint to the places now filled1 or on the eve of being filled1 by those gentlemen1 there is not one of those high judicial positions to which it would not have been at once a pride and a pleasure both to myself and my colleagues to have advised his appointment4 ,vice-,chancellor ,jameson's health1 too1 will probably ere long lead to his retirement4 ,when that time arrives1 will our friend's continued absence be still a barrier to the gratification of our wishes8 ,if the affairs of the ,province shall be then conducted by the same ,councils as now sway them1 ,i may say1 with almost the same confidence of that future as ,i do of the past1 that it will be the only obstacle to such gratification4 ,i should add1 too1 that last winter one of my colleagues who1 as well as myself1 has always taken a particular interest in ,mr4 ,bidwell's return to the ,province1 wrote to him1 informing him of the ,judiciary measures intended to be introduced by the ,administration1 and giving him to understand as distinctly as could properly be done1 that1 if he had returned to this country when those measures were to go into operation1 it would afford us and our colleagues the greatest pleasure to have it in our power to advise his being placed in a situation alike agreeable to his tastes1 deserving of his talents1 and satisfactory to the public at large4 ,and though1 when he wrote first1 he expressed some doubt of the ,bills becoming law during the last session1 yet shortly after1 when it was felt expedient to carry them through1 he again wrote to inform ,mr4 ,bidwell that this would be done if the sanction of ,parliament was obtained to the measures4 ,whether1 in my letters to ,mr4 ,bidwell1 on the subject of his return1 ,i have appeared to him not to speak with sufficient warmth1 ,i know not4 ,it has1 at all events1 not been from indifference to the object4 ,i certainly have felt that1 in the uncertainty that must for the future attach to political power1 there was a great responsibility in urging one in good business elsewhere to leave that and throw his fortunes again in with us here4 ,i am naturally cautious1 and my caution may have led me to speak less warmly than ,i felt1 particularly when ,i found my first appeals unsuccessful4 ,but he ought1 and ,i hope1 does1 appreciate my motives4 ,it is true his ear may be poisoned by having had unjust suspicions poured into it4 ,i know ,i have never afforded any just grounds for such suspicions1 and ,i feel confident that his generous nature would have been far above conceiving any such1 had they not been suggested by others4 ,i am1 however1 perhaps doing wrong4 ,it may be that none such have ever been thought of by anyone4 ,i trust it is so4 ,if otherwise1 it is but just to myself to say that they are the foulest1 basest and most malignant that mortal ever breathed4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bangs attended the ,conference at ,brockville in #ahej1 as a delegate from the ,american ,general ,conference4 ,on his return to ,new ,york he wrote a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson on the #crd ,july3-- ,i think my trip to ,canada was one of the most pleasant tours ,i ever made1 and shall reflect upon it with peculiar delight4 ,i have commenced1 as you will perceive by the ,christian ,advocate1 to give the public an account of my visit to your ,conference4 ,the pleasure we enjoyed in our visit to ,canada1 and especially your hospitality at ,toronto1 makes us feel truly thankful to ,god for such hallowed friendships1 and reminds us more forcibly than ever of that eternal union which the spirits shall enjoy in a future world4 ,dr4 ,ryerson made a second educational trip to ,europe in ,october1 #ahej4 ,writing to me from ,london on the #hth ,november1 he said3--,the day before yesterday1 ,i left ,lord ,elgin's note of introduction1 with my card1 at the ,colonial ,office2 the same evening ,i received a note1 appointing yesterday for an interview4 ,mr4 7afterwards ,sir ,b47 ,hawes1 the ,under-,secretary was present4 ,it was most agreeable and gratifying4 ,lord ,grey seemed much delighted with what had been done1 educationally1 in ,upper ,canada2 and of which he was until then1 entirely ignorant4 ,mr4 ,hawes asked if ,i had published any report of my tour in ,europe1 or the results of it2 and as ,i happened to have a copy of each of the documents ,i brought with me1 ,i presented ,lord ,grey with copies of them4 ,he seemed surprised that he had not seen them before1 and said he must write to ,lord ,elgin to send him a copy of each of them for the office4 ,the conversation extended to the ,united ,states--our system of ,government as contrasted with theirs1 etc4 ,lord ,grey and ,mr4 ,hawes appeared entertained and pleased4 ,his ,lordship offered to aid me in any way1 in his power1 that ,i might devise2 and asked me to dine with him4 ,last evening1 ,i received from ,lord ,grey letters of introduction to the ,marquis of ,lansdowne 7,president of the ,privy ,council ,committee of ,education7 to the ,rt4 ,hon4 ,t4 ,b4 ,macaulay1 and ,mr4 ,lingard1 successor of ,sir ,j4 ,p4 ,kay ,shuttleworth1 and an unsealed letter of introduction from ,mr4 ,hawes1 to ,sir ,henry ,ellis1 ,librarian of the ,british ,museum1 in which he said3 ,this will be presented to you by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 of ,canada1 who has rendered great services to the cause of education1 not only by his writings1 but by his great exertions4 ,both ,lord ,grey and ,mr4 ,hawes seemed to know something about me2 and the above copy of note shows the spirit in which they are desirous of aiding me4 ,i shall now commence my work here in good earnest4 ,lord ,grey introduced the subject of the ,toronto ,university1 and of the ,bishop of ,toronto's ,mission to this country1 and when he found that ,i had a copy of the amended ,university ,bill1 and the proceedings of the ,wesleyan ,conference on the subject1 he requested them for perusal4 ,in my next interview with ,his ,lordship ,i shall introduce the subject of the clergy reserves4 ,i have been very cordially received at the ,wesleyan ,mission ,house4 ,i was affected to see ,dr4 ,bunting's great bodily weakness1 and surprised to see his intellect clear1 quick1 and powerful as ever4 ,when he walks1 he can only step about six inches at a time4 ,i expect to hear him on ,sunday morning1 in the same ,chapel 7,spitalfields ,chapel--a once ,french church1 in which the eloquent ,saurin has preached1 and made a collection for the refugee ,huguenots to the amount of #c1jjj7 in which ,i preached last ,sunday1 and aided in administering the ,lord's ,supper4 ,on the #ajth ,january1 #ahea1 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed the following note to ,sir ,benjamin ,hawes1 from ,paris3 ,i saw ,cardinal ,wiseman on the strength of your kind note of introduction4 ,he appeared to be pleased with the compliment which my call involved--invited me to hospitalities which ,i think it would not be prudent for me to accept1 and promised to have a list of popular 7but not denominational7 reading books prepared1 and the books selected for my inspection on my return to ,london4 ,i most fervently hope that you will be prepared to bring before ,parliament1 early in the approaching session1 a ,bill to settle the ,canadian clergy reserve question--the only remaining obstacle to the social harmony of ,canada1 and to its affectionate and permanent union with the ,mother ,country4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in #aheb1 the new buildings of the ,education ,department and ,normal ,school1 as shown in the accompanying engravings were completed4 ,for ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,office see page #dbb4 ,being in ,england in #ahec1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to me there3-- ,i was glad to learn that ,lord ,elgin was to go in the same steamship with you from ,boston4 ,i have no doubt it will have proved interesting to him as well as to you1 and perhaps useful to you4 ,i miss you very much from the office1 but ,i do not like to employ any more aid without sanction of the ,government1 though ,i could get no one to take your place4 ,i would wish you to write me what ,lord ,elgin may have thought or said as to our doings and plans of proceeding4 ,if the ,library plan succeeds1 it will achieve noble results4#acd ,i feel that our success and happiness in the ,department are inseparably united4 ,in #ahed ,dr4 ,ryerson was appointed a member of ,commission to enquire into matters connected with ,king's ,college1 ,fredericton1 ,n4,b4 ,his fellow-commissioners were ,hon4 ,j4 ,h4 ,gray1 ,dr4 ,dawson1 ,hon4 ,j4 ,s4 ,saunders1 and ,hon4 ,james ,brown4 ,mr4 ,grey the ,chairman1 in transmitting the ,report of the ,commission to the ,provincial ,secretary of ,new ,brunswick1 said3-- ,i beg to express1 with the full conscience of my fellow-commissioners1 our acknowledgment of the very valuable assistance offered us by ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,his great experience1 and unquestioned proficiency in all subjects connected with ,education1 justly entitles his opinions to great weight4 ,,footnotes3 #acc ,being a member of the ,conference ,committee appointed to confer with the ,government on the establishment of ,manual ,labour ,schools for the ,indians1 ,rev4 ,peter ,jones1 in writing to ,dr4 ,ryerson from the ,credit1 on the subject1 in ,september1 #ahdd1 said3--,you will be glad to see that our ,indian brethren have subscribed liberally1 which shews their ardent desire to have ,manual ,labour ,schools established amongst them4 ,we forwarded a copy to the ,governor-,general1 and ,his ,excellency was pleased to approve of the liberality of the ,indian tribes4 ,from the manner in which ,his ,excellency has always spoken of ,indian ,manual ,labour ,schools1 ,i am sure that he will take great pleasure in aiding their establishment4 ,as you have access to the ears of our ,great ,father at ,montreal1 may ,i beg the favour of your explaining to him the object of my visit to ,england1 and the necessity of ,his ,excellency's sanctioning the payment of my expenses4 ,as ,i intend to visit ,england for the purpose of augmenting the funds of the ,manual ,labour ,schools1 ,i think at least my expenses should be paid out of the ,indian subscriptions of #djj4 #acd ,lord ,elgin always referred to ,dr4 ,ryerson's library scheme in his educational addresses1 as the ,crown and ,glory of the ,institutions of the ,province4 ,illustration3 ,the ,ontario ,education ,department1 and ,normal and ,model ,schools1 ,erected #ahea4 ,illustration3 ,education ,department1 showing ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,office for #be ,years1 in the ,s4 ,w4 ,angle of the ,main ,building in ,front4 ,,chapter ,,li4 #ahdi4 ,the ,bible in the ,ontario ,public ,schools4 ,early in #ahdi an important crisis occurred in the history of our ,public ,school system1 the evil effects of which were only prevented by the prompt and emphatic protest on the part of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and the equally prompt measures taken by ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin in the matter4 ,the event to which ,i refer was the hurried passage of a revolutionary ,school ,bill at the end of a ,session of ,parliament by parties hostile to ,dr4 ,ryerson--a ,bill the effect of which would have been the exclusion of the ,bible and religious teaching and influence from our ,public ,schools4 ,in regard to that calamitous event1 ,dr4 ,ryerson stated that within three hours of learning that such a ,bill was law he informed ,mr4 ,baldwin that the office of ,chief ,superintendent of ,education was at his disposal4 ,i was absent from ,toronto at this time4 ,dr4 ,ryerson therefore wrote me a letter on the subject1 dated ,december1 #ahdi1 in which he said3--,i am happy to say the scandalous ,school ,bill of last session is upset4 ,the members of the ,government 7including the ,governor-,general7 have examined my letter to ,mr4 ,baldwin1 of ,july last1 and have come entirely into my views4 ,mr4 ,malcolm ,cameron is also out of office1 and is striving to create opposition against his former colleagues4 ,some of the extreme radical papers 7,examiner1 ,mirror1 ,canada ,christian ,advocate1 ,provincialist1 c417 all state that ,i had tendered my resignation1 and had been persuaded by one or two members of the ,government to withdraw it1 and they speak piteously of the ,government having succumbed to me4 ,the ,canada ,christian ,advocate says ,i have watched my opportunity to get ,mr4 ,baldwin and the ,government under my thumb4 ,i have been permitted to publish the correspondence of ,july last1 and it has placed me in this new and proud position4 ,i thank ,god for ,his goodness in thus opening before me a wider field of usefulness than ever1 and for sealing at so early a period1 with ,his approbation1 adherence to great principles of ,christian truth and social advancement1 irrespective of men or parties4 ,i shall commence the ,new ,year with new courage and hope1 and ,i am anxious to see you that we may together devise and prosecute the best means to promote our great work4 ,the circumstances under which this abortive ,school ,bill1 as it proved1 of #ahdi1 was passed1 is thus described by ,dr4 ,ryerson in a letter written ten years afterwards 7in #ahei73-- ,from #ahdf to #ahdi a host of scribblers and would-be school legislators appeared1 led on by the ,globe newspaper4 ,it was represented that ,i had plotted a ,prussian school despotism for free ,canada1 and that ,i was forcing upon the country a system in which the last spark of ,canadian liberty would be extinguished1 and ,canadian youth would be educated as slaves4 ,hon4 ,malcolm ,cameron1 with less knowledge and less experience than he has now1 was astounded at these awful disclosures1 and was dazzled by the theories proposed to rid the country of the enslaving elements of my ,prussian school system4 ,mr4 ,cameron was at length appointed to office2 and he thought ,i ought to be walked out of the office4 ,messrs4 ,baldwin and ,hincks 7as ,i have understood71 thought ,i should be judged officially for my official acts1 and that1 thus judged1 ,i had done nothing worthy of evil treatment4 ,the party hostile to me then thought that1 as ,i could not be turned out of office by direct dismissal1 ,i might be shuffled out by legislation2 and a ,school ,bill was prepared for that purpose4 ,that ,bill contained many good1 but more bad provisions1 and worse omissions1 but of which only a man who had studied the question1 or rather science1 of school legislation could fully judge4 ,mr4 ,cameron was selected to submit it to his colleagues1 and get it through ,parliament4 ,he executed his task with his characteristic adroitness and energy4 ,mr4 ,hincks never read the ,bill1 and had left for ,england before it passed4 ,mr4 ,baldwin1 amid the smoking ruins of a ,parliament ,house and national library1 looked over it1 and thought from the representations given him of its popular objects1 and a glance at the synopsis of its provisions1 that it might be an improvement on the then existing law1 while the passing of it would gratify many of his friends4 ,on examining the ,bill1 ,i wrote down my objections to it1 and laid them before the ,government1 and proceeded to ,montreal to press them in person4 ,i left ,montreal in ,april1 #ahdi1 with the expectation that the ,bill would be dropped1 or essentially mended4 ,neither was done2 the ,bill was passed in the ordinary manner of passing bills during the last few hours of the ,session2 and within three hours of learning that the ,bill was law1 ,i informed ,mr4 ,baldwin that my office was at his disposal1 for ,i never would administer that law4 ,as to the effect of ,mr4 ,cameron's ,bill on ,dr4 ,ryerson's future1 he said3--,the new ,bill on its coming into operation1 leaves me but one course to pursue4 ,the character and tendency of the ,bill clearly is to compel me to relinquish office1 or virtually abandon principles and provisions in regard to the ,bible in the ,schools which ,i have advocated as of great and vital importance1 and become a party to my own personal humiliation and degradation--thus justly exposing myself to the suspicion and imputation of mean and mercenary conduct4 ,i can readily retire from office1 and do much more if necessary1 for the maintenance of what ,i believe to be vital to the moral and educational interests of my native country2 but ,i can never knowingly be a party to my own humiliation and debasement4 ,i regret that an unprecedented mode of legislation has been resorted to to gratify the feelings of personal envy and hostility4 ,i regard it as a virtual vindication of myself against oft-repeated allegations1 that it was felt ,i could not be reached by the usual straightforward administration of ,government4 ,lately1 in the ,english ,house of ,lords1 the ,marquis of ,lansdowne stated1 that ,mr4 ,lafontaine had returned to ,canada1 and boldly challenged inquiry into any of the allegations against him in reference to past years4 ,i have repeatedly done the same4 ,no such inquiry has been granted or instituted4 ,yet ,i am not only pursued by the base calumnies of certain persons and papers1 professing to support and enjoy the confidence of the ,government1 but legislation is resorted to1 and new provisions introduced at the last hour of the ,session1 to deal out upon me the long meditated blows of unscrupulous envy and animosity4 ,but ,i deeply regret that the blows1 which will fall comparatively light upon me1 will fall with much greater weight1 and more serious consequences1 upon the youth of the land1 and its future moral and educational interests4444 ,acting1 as ,i hope ,i do1 upon ,christian and public grounds1 ,i should not feel myself justified in withdrawing from a work in consequence of personal discourtesy and ill-treatment1 or a reduction of means of support and usefulness4 ,but when ,i see the fruits of four years' anxious labours1 in a single blast scattered to the winds1 and have no satisfactory ground of hope that such will not be the fate of another four years' labour2 when ,i see the foundations of great principles1 which1 after extensive enquiry and long deliberation1 ,i have endeavoured to lay1 torn up and thrown aside as worthless rubbish2 when ,i see myself deprived of the protection and advantage of the application of the principle of responsible government as applied to every other head of a ,department1 and made the subordinate agent of a ,board which ,i have originated1 and the members of which ,i have had the honour to recommend for appointment2 when ,i see myself officially severed from a ,normal ,school ,institution which ,i have devised1 and every feature and detail of which are universally commended1 even to the individual capacities of the masters whom ,i have sought out and recommended2 when ,i see myself placed in a position1 to an entirely novel system of education at large1 in which ,i can either burrow in inactivity or labour with little hope of success2 when ,i find myself placed in such circumstances1 ,i cannot hesitate as to the course of duty1 as well as the obligations of honour and self-respect4444 ,i think it is my right1 and only frank and respectful1 on the earliest occasion to state1 in respect to my own humble labours1 whether ,i can serve on terms and principles and conditions so different from those under which ,i have1 up to the present time1 acted2 though ,i cannot1 without deep regret and emotion1 contemplate the loss of so much time and labour1 and find myself impelled to abandon a work on which ,i had set my heart1 and to qualify myself for which ,i have devoted four of the most matured years of my life4 ,having now fulfilled my promise--to communicate to you1 in writing1 my views on this important and extensive subject--,i leave the whole question in your hands4 ,the result of this letter was1 the suspension and abandonment of the ,act of #ahdi1 and the preparation and passing of the ,act of #ahej4 ,now ,mr4 ,cameron might naturally feel deeply at the repeal of his own ,act without a trial2 but after he had time for further examination and reflection1 and a more thorough knowledge of the nature and working of the system ,i was endeavouring to establish1 ,i believe no man in ,canada more sincerely rejoiced than ,mr4 ,cameron at the repeal of the ,act of #ahdi1 and no man has more cordially supported the present system1 or more frankly and earnestly commended the course ,i have pursued4#ace ,the letter to ,mr4 ,baldwin was written on the #adth ,july1 #ahdi4 ,speaking of it1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,in the former part of that letter ,i stated the circumstances under which the ,act of #ahdi had passed1 and the fact that my remonstrance against it had not been even read4 ,i then stated what ,i considered insuperable objections to it4 ,i will quote part of my eighth and tenth objections3--the former relating to the exclusion of ministers as school visitors--the latter relating to the exclusion from the schools of the ,bible and books containing religious instruction4 ,they are as follows3-- ,another feature of the new ,bill is that which precludes ,ministers of ,religion1 ,magistrates1 and ,councillors1 from acting as school visitors1 a provision of the present ,act to which ,i have heard no objection from any quarter1 and from which signal benefits to the schools have already resulted4 ,not only is this provision retained in the ,school ,act for ,lower ,canada1 but ,clergymen--and ,clergymen alone--are there authorized to select all the school books relating to religion and morals for the children of their respective persuasions4 ,but in ,upper ,canada1 where the great majority of the people and ,clergy are ,protestant1 the provision of the present ,act authorizing ,clergymen to act as ,school ,visitors 7and that without any power to interfere in school regulations or books7 is repealed4 ,under the new ,bill1 the ,ministers of religion cannot1 therefore1 visit the schools as a matter of right1 or in their character as ,ministers1 but as private individuals1 and by the permission of the teacher at his pleasure4 ,the repeal of the provision under which ,clergymen of the several religious persuasions have acted as visitors1 is1 of course1 a virtual condemnation of their acting in that capacity4 ,when thus denuded by law of his official character in respect to the schools1 of course no ,clergyman would so far sanction his own legislative degradation as to go into a school by suffrance in an unministerial character4444 ,the character and tendency of such a change in connection with the ,protestant religion of ,upper ,canada1 in contrast with a directly opposite provision in connection with the ,roman ,catholic ,religion of ,lower ,canada1 must be obvious to every reflecting person4 ,to the school-visiting feature of the present system ,i attach great importance as a means of ultimately concentrating in behalf of the schools the influence and sympathies of all religious persuasions1 and the leading men of the country4 ,the success of it1 thus far1 has exceeded my most sanguine expectations2 the visits of ,clergy alone during the last year being an average of more than five visits for each ,clergyman in ,upper ,canada4 ,from such a beginning what may not be anticipated in future years1 when information shall become more general1 and an interest in the schools more generally excited4 ,and who can estimate the benefits1 religiously1 socially1 educationally1 and even politically1 of ,ministers of various religious persuasions meeting together at quarterly school examinations1 and other occasions1 on common and patriotic ground1 and becoming interested and united in the great work of advancing the education of the young4 ,the last feature of the new ,bill on which ,i will remark1 is that which proscribes from the ,schools all books containing controverted theological dogmas or doctrines4 ,under a legal provision containing these words1 the ,bible has been ruled out of schools in the ,state of ,new ,york4 ,i doubt whether this provision of the ,act harmonizes with the ,christian feelings of members of the ,government2 but it is needless to enquire what were the intentions which dictated this extraordinary provision1 since construction of an ,act of ,parliament depends upon the language of the ,act itself1 and not upon the intentions of its framers4 ,the effect of such a provision is to exclude every kind of book containing religious truth1 even every version of the ,holy ,scriptures themselves2 for the ,protestant version of them contains theological doctrine controverted by the ,roman ,catholic2 and the ,douay version of them contains theological dogmas controverted by the ,protestant4 ,the theological doctrine of miracles in ,paley's ,evidences of ,christianity is controverted by the disciples of ,hume4 ,several of the theological doctrines in ,paley's ,moral ,philosophy are also controverted2 and indeed there is not a single doctrine of ,christianity which is not controverted by some party or other4 ,the whole series of ,irish ,national ,readers must be proscribed as containing controverted theological doctrines2 since1 as the ,commissioners state1 these books are pervaded by the principles and spirit of ,christianity1 though free from any tincture of sectarianism4 ,i think there is too little ,christianity in our schools1 instead of too much2 and that the united efforts of all ,christian men should be to introduce more1 instead of excluding what little there is4 ,i have not assumed it to be the duty1 or even constitutional right of the ,government1 to compel any thing in respect either to religious books or religious instruction1 but to recommend the local ,trustees to do so1 and to provide powers and facilities to enable them to do so within the wise restriction imposed by law4 ,i have respected the rights and scruples of the ,roman ,catholic as well as those of the ,protestant4 ,by some ,i have been accused of having too friendly a feeling towards the ,roman ,catholics2 but while ,i would do nothing to infringe the rights and feelings of ,roman ,catholics1 ,i cannot be a party to depriving ,protestants of the ,text-book of their faith--the choicest patrimony bequeathed by their forefathers1 and the noblest birthright of their children4 ,it affords me pleasure to record the fact--and the circumstance shows the care and fairness with which ,i have acted on this subject--that before adopting the ,section in the printed ,forms and ,regulations on the ,constitution and ,government of the ,schools in respect to ,religious ,instruction1 ,i submitted it1 among others1 to the late lamented ,roman ,catholic ,bishop ,power1 who1 after examining it1 said1 he could not approve of it upon principle1 but he would not object to it1 as ,roman ,catholics were fully protected in their rights and views1 and as he did not wish to interfere with ,protestants in the fullest exercise of their rights and views4 ,it will be seen that ,new ,england or ,irish ,national ,school advocates of a system of mixed schools did not maintain that the ,scriptures and all religious instruction should be excluded from the schools1 but that the peculiarities of sectarianism were no essential part of religious instruction in the schools1 and that the essential elements and truths and morals of ,christianity could be provided for and taught without a single bitter element of sectarianism4 ,the advocates of public schools meet the advocates of sectarian schools1 not by denying the connection between ,christianity and education1 but by denying the connection between sectarianism--by comprehending ,christianity in the system1 and only rejecting sectarianism from it4 ,the same1 ,i think1 is our safety and our duty4444 ,dr4 ,ryerson concludes this part of his letter with these emphatic words3 ,be assured that no system of popular education will flourish in a country which does violence to the religious sentiments and feelings of the ,churches of that country4 ,be assured1 that every such system will droop and wither which does not take root in the ,christian and patriotic sympathies of the people--which does not command the respect and confidence of the several religious persuasions1 both ministers and laity--for these in fact make up the aggregate of the ,christianity of the country4 ,the cold calculations of unchristianized selfishness will never sustain a school system4 ,and if you will not embrace ,christianity in your school system1 you will soon find that ,christian persuasions will soon commence establishing schools of their own2 and ,i think they ought to do so1 and ,i should feel that ,i was performing an imperative duty in urging them to do so4 ,but if you wish to secure the co-operation of the ministers and members of all religious persuasions1 leave out of your system the points wherein they differ1 and boldly and avowedly provide facilities for the inculcation of what they hold in common and what they value most1 and that is what the best interests of a country require4 ,speaking in a subsequent letter of another feature of this question of the ,bible in schools1 ,dr4 ,ryerson says3 ,the principal opposition which1 in #ahdf and for several years afterwards1 ,i encountered was that ,i did not make the use of the ,bible compulsory in the schools1 but simply recognized the right of ,protestants to use it in the school 7not as an ordinary reading book1 as it was not given to teach us how to read1 but to teach us the way to ,heaven71 as a book of religious instruction1 without the right or the power of compelling any others to use it4 ,the recognition of the right has been maintained inviolate to the present time2 facilities for the exercise of it have been provided1 and recommendations for that purpose have been given1 but no compulsory authority assumed1 or right of compulsion acknowledged2 and the religious exercises in each school have been left to the decision of the authorities of such school1 and the religious instruction of each child has always been under the absolute authority of the parents or guardian of each child4444 ,now many a parent may not exercise the right of using the ,bible as a text-book of religious instruction for his child in school1 but would even such parent 7much less every ,protestant parent7 be willing to be deprived of that right8 ,to the objection that the ,bible is often read in a formal and perfunctory manner without any real benefit being derived from it by the pupils1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied3 ,is not the ,bible often read in the family1 and even in the ,church1 in a formal and perfunctory manner1 without any benefit to either reader or hearers3 but should we1 therefore1 take away even the abstract right of reading the ,bible in the family and in the ,church8 ,to the objection urged against the reading of the ,bible in the schools because a majority of the teachers are utterly unfit to give religious instruction1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied3 ,the reading of the ,bible and giving religious instruction from it are two very different things4 ,the question is not the competency of teachers to give religious instruction1 but the right of a ,protestant to the reading of the ,bible by his child in the school as a text-book of religious instruction4 ,that right ,i hold to be sacred and divine4 ,to a rejoinder that the cry for the ,bible in the schools is a sham1 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus replies3 ,apart from religious instruction1 apart from even the reading of the ,bible in the schools1 the right of having it there--its very presence there--is not a sham1 but a sign1 a symbol of potent significance4 ,the sign of the ,cross 444 is not a sham1 but a symbol precious to the hearts of hundreds of thousands of our brethren2 the coat of arms which stands at the head of all royal patents1 nor the sparkling crown which encircles the brow of royalty1 is not a sham1 but a symbol which speaks more than words to every ,british heart2 the standard that waves at the head of the regiment1 nor the flag that floats at the ship's masthead is not a sham1 but a symbol that nerves the soldier and the sailor to duty and to victory4 ,so the ,bible is not a sham1 but a symbol of right and liberty dear to the heart of every ,protestant freeman1 to every lover of civil and religious liberty--a standard of truth and morals1 the foundation of ,protestant faith1 and the rule of ,protestant morals2 and the cry for the ,bible in the schools is not a sham1 but a felt necessity of the religious instructor1 whether he be the teacher or a visiting superintendent or clergyman1--is the birthright of the ,protestant child1 and the inalienable right of the ,protestant parent4444 ,no man attaches more importance than ,i do to secular education and knowledge1 and few men have laboured more to provide for the teaching and diffusion of every branch of it2 yet1 so far am ,i from ignoring the ,bible1 even in an intellectual point of view1 that ,i hesitate not to say1 in the language of the eloquent ,melville1 that-- ,whilst every stripling is boasting that a great enlargement of mind is coming on the nation1 through the pouring into all its dwellings a tide of general information1 it is right to uphold the forgotten position1 that in caring for man as an immortal being1 ,god cared for him as an intellectual1 and that if the ,bible were but read by our artizans and our peasantry1 we should be surrounded by a far more enlightened and intelligent population1 than will appear to this land1 when the school-master1 with his countless magazines1 shall have gone through it1 in its length and its breadth4 ,with a view to supply an omission1 and to provide a ,manual on ,christian ,morals for the schools1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in #ahga1 prepared a little work1 entitled ,first ,lessons in ,christian ,morals4 ,this work was recommended by the ,council of ,public ,instruction for use in schools4 ,it was objected to by the ,globe newspaper on several grounds4 ,to each of these objections ,dr4 ,ryerson replied4 ,the first and second objections referred to alleged errors and defects in style4 ,in a letter on the subject1 written in ,april1 #ahgb1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,your third objection is against any book of religious instruction being recommended for use in the public schools4 ,to this objection ,i reply1 firstly1 that the want of such a book has been not only felt1 but expressed1 from different quarters4 ,secondly1 the ,irish ,national ,board have not only books on this subject1 in their authorized list of school text books1 but the ,council of ,public ,instruction has long authorized three of them2 each of which contains more reading than any one book of mine4 ,thirdly1 in the ,toronto ,university ,college1 not only is ,paley's ,evidences of ,christianity an authorized text book1 but also ,dr4 ,wayland's ,moral ,science1 of the most essential parts of which my books are an epitome4 ,a fourth objection is that ,i have given a summary of the ,evidences of ,christianity1 in respect especially to the inspiration of the ,scriptures1 miracles1 and mysteries4 ,in reply1 ,i observe1 first1 that if young men1 before they finish their collegiate education1 should be fortified on this ground1 it is equally necessary that those youths who finish their education in the public schools should not be left unarmed on this point4 ,secondly1 pupils in the public schools of the fourth and fifth years are quite as capable of understanding the few pages in which ,i have condensed and simplified the answers to the common infidel objections1 as are young men at college to master the large text books prescribed on the subject4 ,thirdly1 the ,irish ,national ,board has provided a book on the subject to which ,i have devoted two lessons4 ,on the list of text books authorized by the ,irish ,national ,board is one entitled1 ,lessons on the ,truth of ,christianity1 being an appendix to the ,fourth ,book of ,lessons1 for the use of ,schools4 ,this book enters far more largely into the subject of miracles than ,i have done1 besides the additional two lessons of answers to infidel objections4 ,a fifth objection is that ,i have pointed out the defects of the teachings of ,natural ,religion1 and shown the superiority of the teachings of ,revelation over those of ,natural ,religion4 ,in this ,i have followed the example of ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wayland1 ,president of ,brown ,university1 ,r4 ,i4 ,a sixth objection is1 that ,i have not confined myself to those laws which regulate our natural obligations2 that ,i have taught the positive institutions of ,christianity1 such as repentance1 faith1 reading the ,scriptures1 personal devotion1 family worship1 attendance at public worship4 ,in this ,i have also followed ,dr4 ,wayland4 ,in the conclusion of this letter ,dr4 ,ryerson offers this apology for writing his little book on ,christian ,morals3 ,besides desiring a small amount of religious teaching1 one hour 7,monday morning7 in the week1 for the senior pupils of the ,public ,schools1 which the trustees and parents might approve1 ,i did desire a united testimony on the part of ,protestantism1 as there is a united testimony on the part of ,roman ,catholicism1 as to religious teaching in the schools4 ,one ,county ,inspector writes1 that the ,roman ,catholic priest1 in a separate school which the ,inspector visited1 said1 ,your schools are atheistic4 ,you don't acknowledge ,god4 ,the same charge has been often repeated by the same authority against the public schools4 ,while ,i have provided and contended for full provision by which the ,roman ,catholics could teach their own children in their own books of religious instruction1 ,i did desire that there might be a somewhat corresponding unity of testimony and teaching in religious principles and duties of common agreement among ,protestants1 being first most strongly impressed with its feasibility by the remarks of the late excellent ,rev4 ,a4 ,gale1 who1 when principal of ,knox's ,academy1 on closing a public examination of the pupils1 said that he was persuaded1 from his own experience1 that all needful religious teaching could be given to pupils at schools without infringing upon any denominational peculiarity4 ,i had long meditated1 and at length sought to realize this grand idea in our public schools4 ,one discordant note has interrupted the harmony4 ,the responsibility of the failure1 if it is to be a failure1 is not with me4 ,i hope the ,protestant ,christians of ,canada will yet realize it1 and that my country will yet enjoy the untold advantages of it1 though ,i may die without the sight4 ,,footnotes3 #ace ,mr4 ,cameron's avowals on the subject are frank and manly4 ,on the occasion of his nomination for the ,county of ,lambton1 in ,october1 #aheg1 he thus referred to the ,school ,system1 and to its founder3-- ,on the whole1 the system had worked well1 the common schools of ,canada were admirable1 and had attracted the commendation of the first statesmen in the ,united ,states1 and even in ,great ,britain they proposed to imitate ,canada4 ,he was opposed to ,dr4 ,ryerson's appointment politically1 but he would say1 as he had said abroad1 that ,canada and her children's children owed to him a debt of gratitude1 as he had raised a noble structure1 and opened up the way for the elevation of the people4 ,,chapter ,,lii4 #ahej-ahec4 ,the ,clergy ,reserve ,question ,transferred to ,canada4 ,the re-opening of the clergy reserve question by ,bishop ,strachan1 with a view to obtain relief in the temporary distress mentioned in ,chapter xlviii41 proved to be a fatal step1 so far as his hopes for securing better terms were concerned4 ,in the next year after he had issued his pastoral appeal for help1 the clergy reserve fund yielded an increase1 and an expectation of a gradual increase annually was officially expressed4 7,secular ,state of the ,church1 page #aa47 ,the ,bishop's complaint against the ,provincial ,government 7,chapter xlviii41 page #cgi7 was that its management of the clergy reserve lands was wasteful and extravagant4 ,an effort was therefore made1 in #ahdf1 to vest these lands in the religious bodies then entitled to a share in the income derived from their sale4 ,mr4 ,gladstone communicated with the ,governor-,general on the subject1 with this view1 in ,february1 #ahdf4 ,the proposal1 was1 however1 viewed with alarm1 as well as was the fact that such efforts being made in ,england showed that1 as in #ahdj1 so in #ahdf1 the rights of the ,canadian people to this patrimony could be at any time alienated or extinguished by the ,imperial ,government1 without the official knowledge or consent of the ,canadian ,parliament4 ,these two facts1 when they became known and appreciated by the people of ,upper ,canada1 led to the taking of decisive steps to prevent them from becoming realities4 ,the representatives in the ,canadian ,house of ,assembly of the ,bishop of ,toronto sought to get an address to the ,crown passed1 with a view to vesting a portion of the lands in the ,church ,society of ,toronto4 ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin warned the friends of the ,bishop of the impolicy and imprudence of such a proposition1 and pointed out that if the clergy reserve question was thus re-opened1 the former fierce agitation on the subject would be resumed1 which might end in the total discomfiture of the ,church4 ,his warning was unheeded1 and although the motion for vesting the lands as proposed was rejected1 by a vote of #cg to #ad1 yet the ,bishop in his charge1 delivered the next year 7in ,june1 #ahdg71 said3-- ,after all1 our great desire continues to be to acquire the management of what is left to the ,church of the reserves2 and why this reasonable desire is not complied with remains a matter of deep regret 7page #ai74 ,the question thus brought before the ,legislature1 led to its being brought before the people1 until it became a subject of discussion in political meetings and election contests4 ,finally1 in #ahej1 the ,government of the day secured the passage in the ,house of ,assembly of an address to the ,crown1 praying for the repeal of the ,imperial ,clergy ,reserve ,act of #ahdj4 ,in that address it is stated that-- ,during a long period of years1 and in nine successive sessions of the ,provincial ,parliament1 the representatives of the people of ,upper ,canada1 with an unanimity seldom exhibited in a deliberative body1 declared their opposition to religious endowments4444 ,the address further pointed out that the wishes of the people were thwarted by the ,legislative ,council1 a body containing a majority avowedly favourable to the ascendancy of the ,church of ,england4 ,that the ,imperial ,government1 from time to time1 invited the ,provincial ,parliament to legislate on the subject of these reserves1 disclaiming on the part of the ,crown any desire for the superiority of one or more particular ,churches2 that ,your ,majesty's ,government1 in declining to advise the ,royal assent being given to a ,bill1 passed by a majority of one1 for investing the power of disposing of the reserves in the ,imperial ,parliament1 admitted that from its inaccurate information as to the wants and general opinions of society 7in which the ,imperial ,parliament was unavoidably deficient71 the question would be more satisfactorily settled by the ,provincial ,legislature2 that subsequently to the withholding of the ,royal assent from the last-mentioned ,bill1 the ,imperial ,parliament passed an ,act disposing of the proceeds of the clergy reserves in a manner entirely contrary to the formerly repeatedly expressed wishes of the ,upper ,canadian people1 as declared through their representatives1 and acknowledged as such in a message sent to the ,provincial ,parliament by command of ,your ,majesty's ,royal predecessor4 ,that we are humbly of opinion that the legal or constitutional impediments which stood in the way of provincial legislation on this subject should have been removed by an ,act of the ,imperial ,parliament2 but that the appropriation of revenues derived from the investment of the proceeds of the public lands of ,canada1 by the ,imperial ,parliament1 will never cease to be a source of discontent to ,your ,majesty's loyal subjects in this ,province2 and that when all the circumstances connected with this question are taken into consideration1 no religious denomination can be held to have such vested interest in the revenue derived from the proceeds of the said clergy reserves1 as should prevent further legislation with reference to the disposal of them2 but we are nevertheless of opinion that the claims of existing incumbents should be treated in the most liberal manner2 and that the most liberal and equitable mode of settling this long-agitated question1 would be for the ,imperial ,parliament to pass an ,act providing that the stipends and allowances heretofore assigned and given to the clergy of the ,church of ,england and ,scotland1 or to any other religious bodies or denominations of ,christians in ,canada1 and to which the faith of the ,crown is pledged1 shall be secured during the natural lives or incumbencies of the parties now receiving the same 444 subject to which provision the ,provincial ,parliament should be authorized to appropriate as1 in its wisdom1 it may think proper1 all revenues derived from the present investments1 or from those to be made hereafter whether from the proceeds of future sales1 or from instalments on those already made4 ,as the agitation proceeded1 ,bishop ,strachan and ,dr4 ,ryerson again became involved in it4 ,the ,bishop took the lead1 and addressed a letter to ,lord ,john ,russell on the subject4 ,dr4 ,ryerson at once joined issue with the ,bishop1 and prepared the following able rejoinder in reply to the ,bishop's letter4 ,he said3-- ,the statements of the ,lord ,bishop of ,toronto1 in his letter to ,lord ,john ,russell1 dated ,canada1 ,february #bjth1 #ahea1 and in his ,charge delivered to the clergy of the ,diocese of ,toronto1 in ,may1 #ahea1 relate to the same subjects1 and appear to be designed for perusal in ,england1 rather than in ,canada4 ,these statements1 as a whole1 are the most extraordinary that ,i ever read from the pen of an ecclesiastic1 much less from the pen of a ,bishop of the ,church of ,england1 and an old resident and prominent actor in the affairs of the country of which he speaks4 ,these statements are not only incorrect1 but they are1 for the most part1 the reverse of the real facts to which they refer2 and where they are most groundless1 they are the most positive4 ,to discuss them seriatim would occupy a volume4 ,i will1 as briefly as possibly1 notice the most important of them under the following heads3-- #a4 ,the circumstances and objects of the original ,clergy ,land ,reservation4 #b4 ,the position of the ,church of ,england in ,canada1 and the professed wishes of the ,lord ,bishop4 #c4 ,the conduct of the ,imperial and ,canadian ,governments towards the ,church of ,england4 #d4 ,the effect of the union of the two ,canadas on the proceedings and votes of the ,legislative ,assembly in regard to the ,church of ,england4 #e4 ,public grants to the ,church of ,rome1 and the endowment of that ,church in ,lower ,canada4 #f4 ,the ,toronto ,university and ,public ,schools4 ,i am to notice in the first place the statements of the ,lord ,bishop respecting the circumstances and objects of the ,clergy ,land ,reservation4 ,he speaks of it as having been suggested by the circumstances of the ,american revolution1 and as having been intended as the special reward of those who adhered to the ,crown of ,england during that seven years' contest4 ,the ,bishop says3-- ,at the close of the war1 in #aghc1 which gave independence to the ,united ,states1 till then colonies of the ,british ,crown1 great numbers of the inhabitants1 anxious to preserve their allegiance1 and1 in as far as they were able1 the unity of the empire1 sought refuge in the western part of ,canada1 beyond the settlements made before the conquest under the ,king of ,france4 ,these loyalists1 who had for seven years perilled their lives and fortunes in defence of the throne1 the law1 and the religion of ,england1 had irresistible claims when driven from their homes into a strange land 7yet a vast forest71 to the immediate protection of government1 and to enjoy the same benefits which they had abandoned from their laudable attachment to the parent ,state4 ,the ,bishop subsequently states ,see ,chapter xxviii41 page #bai that the object of the ,constitutional ,act of #agia was ,more especially to confer upon the loyalists such a constitution as should be as near a transcript as practicable of that of ,england1 that they might have no reason to regret1 in as far as religion1 law1 and liberty were concerned1 the great sacrifices which they had made4 ,allusions of this kind pervade a considerable part of the ,bishop's letter1 and furnish the first example1 within my knowledge1 of any writer attempting to invest the dispute between the ,american colonies and the mother country with a religious character2 when every person the least acquainted with the history of those colonies1 and of that contest1 knows that the question of religion was never alluded to on the part of the colonists--that ,general ,washington and other principal leaders in the revolution were professed ,episcopalians--that the ,church of ,england did not exist as an established church in any of those colonies1 unless adopted as such by the local legislature1 as in the case of ,virginia--and that in the northern and eastern parts of those colonies1 whence the first emigration to ,upper ,canada took place after the peace of #aghc1 the ,church of ,england never did exist as an established church4 ,therefore1 for the religion of ,england in that sense1 those loyalists never could have perilled their lives and fortunes2 nor could they have been influenced by any predilections for an establishment which they had never seen4 ,the ,bishop says truly that3 ,the noble stand which the ,province made against the ,united ,states in the war of #ahab1 in which the attachment of its inhabitants to the ,british empire was a second time signally displayed1 brought the country into deserved notice4 ,but nothing can be more fallacious than the claims he would found upon this fact1 any more than those of the ,american revolution of #aggf1 to the clergy reserve land4 ,for the ,lord ,bishop himself1 when ,archdeacon of ,york1 in a printed discourse on the death of the first ,bishop of ,quebec1 represents the benefits of the establishment as little felt or known in ,upper ,canada1 and states that down to the close of the ,american ,war of #ahab--namely1 in #ahae--there were but five clergymen of the ,church of ,england in that vast province4 ,and a few years afterwards1 ,december #bbnd1 #ahbf1 the ,upper ,canada ,house of ,assembly1 consisting of the representatives of the ,loyalists and their sons1 who had twice signally displayed their attachment to the ,british empire1 adopted1 by the extraordinary majority of #cj to #c1 the following remarkable and significant resolution3-- ,resolved1 that the ,protestant ,episcopal ,church in the ,province bears a very small proportion to the number of other ,christians1 notwithstanding the pecuniary aid long and exclusively received from the benevolent society in ,england by the members of that ,church1 and their pretensions to a monopoly of the clergy reserves4 ,the original ,loyalist settlers of ,upper ,canada1 and their immediate descendants1 must be held to have understood their own feelings and sentiments better than the ,lord ,bishop3 and the almost unanimous expression of such sentiments1 through their representatives twenty-five years since1 together with other circumstances to which ,i have referred1 show how greatly mistaken is his ,lordship1 and how perfectly baseless are his assumptions and frequent allusions and appeals in reference to the hopes1 wishes and sentiments of the original settlers of ,upper ,canada as a ground of claim to the clergy reserves in behalf of the ,church of ,england4 ,i have next to say a few words on the ,bishop's statement as to the position of the ,church of ,england in ,canada1 and the professions which he makes in respect to her position4 ,he says1 ,our position has1 for some time1 been that of a prostrate branch of the ,national ,church2 and that position he1 in another place1 calls a condition of inferiority to other religious denominations2 and he says1 she has been placed below ,protestant dissenters1 and privileges1 wrested from her1 have been conferred upon them4 ,as to the position in which the ,bishop would wish the ,church of ,england in ,canada to be placed1 he says1 ,we merely claim equality1 and freedom from oppression4 ,these expressions are deeply to be regretted1 when it is perfectly notorious that the pre-eminence and peculiar civil advantages claimed by the ,bishop for the ,church of ,england1 have been the ground of all the disputes which have agitated the ,legislature and people of ,upper ,canada for more than twenty-five years2 when every person of the least intelligence in ,canada knows that the ,church of ,england1 besides other large educational and pecuniary patronage of government1 enjoyed until #ahdj an exclusive monopoly of the clergy lands which the ,legislative ,assembly of ,upper ,canada long contended1 and which the judges of ,england have decided1 extended by law to ,protestants generally--that the ,church of ,england enjoys at this moment the greater part of the annual proceeds of the sales of those lands1 besides rectory endowments of portions of them--that every political and religious party in ,canada awards every thing to the ,church of ,england that they ask for themselves--equality and freedom from oppression4 ,during the present session of the ,legislature1 ,bills have passed the ,assembly giving the ,church of ,england in ,lower ,canada all the facilities of holding property and managing her affairs which have been desired by the ,bishop of the ,diocese1 as had been granted a few years since in ,upper ,canada2 and when it was objected that privileges were given by such ,bills to the ,church of ,england not possessed by any other religious persuasion1 it was replied that others might obtain them by asking for them1 and the ,bills in question were passed with only two dissentient votes4 ,i repeat the expression of my regret that the ,bishop should draw entirely upon his imagination for such statements1 and that his feelings should prompt him to represent objections to his own particular views and pretensions as oppression and persecution of the ,church of ,england4 ,the next class of the ,bishop's statements which ,i shall notice1 relate to the conduct of the ,imperial and ,canadian ,governments towards the ,church of ,england4 ,throughout his voluminous documents the ,bishop represents the conduct of government1 both ,imperial and ,colonial1 as hostile to the ,church of ,england2 and employs1 in some instances1 terms personally offensive4 ,the great question at issue is thus stated by the ,bishop himself in his recent charge to his clergy3-- ,in #ahai1 the law officers of the ,crown gave it as their opinion that the words ,protestant clergy embraced also the ministers of the ,church of ,scotland1 not as entitling them to endowment in land1 but as enabling them to participate in the proceeds of the reserves1 whether sold or leased4 ,in #ahbh1 a select committee of the ,house of ,commons extended the construction of the words ,protestant clergy to the teachers of all ,protestant denominations2 and this interpretation1 though considered very extraordinary at the time1 was confirmed by the twelve judges in #ahdj4 ,in his letter to ,lord ,john ,russell1 the ,bishop alludes to two of these decisions in terms peculiarly objectionable1 while he omits all reference to the latter4 ,he says3-- ,the ,established ,church of ,scotland claimed a share of those lands1 or the proceeds1 as a ,national ,church within the ,empire2 and in #ahai1 the ,crown lawyers made the discovery that it might be gratified1 under the #cgth clause of the #cast of ,george ,,iii41 chap4 #ca4 ,next1 the select committee of the ,house of ,commons1 in #ahbh1 on the ,civil ,government of ,canada1 influenced by the spurious liberality of the times1 extended this opinion of the ,crown lawyers to any ,protestant clergy4 ,the ,bishop thus impugns the impartiality and integrity of the opinions expressed by the law officers of the ,crown in ,england1 and by the select committee of the ,house of ,commons1 sarcastically calling the one a discovery1 and ascribing the other to spurious liberality2 while he declares that the ,act #c and #d ,victoria1 chapter #gh 7which only carried partially into effect the decision of the twelve judges1 and was1 as he states1 agreed to by the ,archbishop of ,canterbury and the other ,bishops in ,london71 deprived the ,church of ,england in ,canada of seven-twelfths of her property4 ,in other documents the ,bishop has designated this ,act an act of spoliation1 and robbery of the ,church of ,england4 ,when the ,bishop employs language of this kind in respect to ,acts of ,parliament and the official opinions in regard to their provisions1 he cannot reasonably complain if other parties should respect them as little as himself1 much less regard them as a final settlement of a question to which they have not been parties1 and against which they have always protested4 ,under any circumstances1 it is singular language to be employed by a person towards a government by whose fostering patronage he has become enriched4 ,the fact is1 that the successive ,governors of ,upper ,canada have been members of the ,church of ,england2 that the principal cause of their unpopularity1 and the most serious difficulties which both the ,imperial and local governments have had to encounter in the colony1 have arisen from their efforts to secure as much for the ,church of ,england1 in the face of the popular indignation and opposition1 so much inflamed and strengthened by the irritating publications and extreme proceedings of the ,bishop himself4 ,it is understood that the report of the committee of the ,house of ,commons on the civil government of ,canada1 in #ahbh1 was written by ,lord ,stanley4 ,however that may be1 the sentiments of that report on the clergy reserve question were strongly expressed by his ,lordship in his speech on the subject1 #bnd ,may1 #ahbh2 and he and the other distinguished men who investigated the subject at that time1 know whether they were influenced by a spurious liberality in the conclusion at which they arrived1 or whether they were guided by a sense of justice1 and yielded to the weight of testimony4 ,at all events1 the grave decision of the twelve judges of ,england to the same effect ought to have suggested to the ,bishop other terms than those of spurious liberality1 spoliation1 and robbery1 and to have protected not only the powers that be1 but the great majority of the ,canadian people1 from the shafts of his harsh imputations4 ,here ,i think it proper to correct the ,bishop's repeated references to the origin and circumstances of the differences of opinion in ,upper ,canada1 as to the import of the words ,protestant clergy1 and the right of dissenting denominations to participate in the benefit of the clergy reserves4 ,he represents those differences as having originated with the clergy of the ,kirk of ,scotland1 and that the idea that any other than the clergy of the ,church of ,england had a right to participate in the benefit of the reserves was never entertained in ,upper ,canada until the friends of the ,kirk of ,scotland commenced the agitation of the question4 ,so far from this representation being correct1 it appears that the first submission of the question to the law officers of the ,crown in ,england took place at the request of ,sir ,p4 ,maitland1 in reference1 not to the clergy of the ,kirk of ,scotland1 but to all denominations of ,protestants--a question on which ,sir ,p4 ,maitland1 then ,lieutenant-,governor of ,upper ,canada1 states in a despatch to ,earl ,bathurst1 dated #agth ,may1 #ahai1 that there was not only a difference of opinion on the subject1 but a lively feeling throughout the ,province4 ,it appears that certain ,presbyterian inhabitants of the town of ,niagara and its vicinity 7not at that time in connexion with the ,church of ,scotland71 petitioned ,sir ,p4 ,maitland for an annual allowance of #ajj to assist in the support of a preacher1 to be paid out of funds arising from the clergy reserves1 or any other fund at ,his ,excellency's disposal4 ,in transmitting a copy of this petition to ,earl ,bathurst1 ,sir ,p4 ,maitland 7,york1 ,upper ,canada1 #agth ,may1 #ahai17 remarks as follows3-- ,the actual product of the clergy reserves is about #gjj per annum4 ,this petition involves a question on which ,i perceive there is a difference of opinion1 viz41 whether the ,act intends to extend the benefit of the reserves1 for the maintenance of a ,protestant clergy1 to all denominations1 or only to those of the ,church of ,england4 ,the law officers incline to the latter opinion4 ,i beg leave to observe to your ,lordship1 with much respect1 that your reply to this petition will decide a question of much interest1 and on which there is a lively feeling throughout the ,province4 ,see page #bba4 ,earl ,bathurst's reply to this despatch is dated ,downing ,street1 #fth ,may1 #ahbj1 and commences as follows3-- ,having requested the opinion of ,his ,majesty's law officers as to the right of dissenting ,protestant ministers1 resident in ,canada1 to partake of the lands directed by the ,act of the #cast ,george ,,iii41 c4 #ca1 to be reserved as a provision for the support of a ,protestant clergy1 ,i have now to state that they are of opinion that though the provisions made by the #cast ,george ,,iii41 c4 #ca1 ss4 #cf and #db1 for the support and maintenance of a ,protestant clergy1 are not confined solely to the ,church of ,england1 but may be extended also to the clergy of the ,church of ,scotland1 yet that they do not extend to dissenting ministers1 since the terms ,protestant clergy can apply only to the ,protestant clergy recognized and established by law4 ,it is thus clear that the question of the right of different ,protestant denominations to participate in the benefit of the clergy reserves did not originate in any claims or agitation commenced by the clergy of the ,church of ,scotland2 that as early as the beginning of #ahai1 7only four years after the close of the last ,american ,war1 during which1 as the ,bishop truly says1 the attachment of the inhabitants to the ,british empire was a second time signally displayed17 there was a lively feeling throughout the ,province on the subject4 ,the first ,loyalist settlers1 and their immediate descendants1 were opposed to the ,bishop's narrow construction of the ,act #cast ,george ,,iii41 chapter #ca2 their representatives in the ,legislative ,assembly maintained invariably the liberal construction of the ,act2 the select committee of the ,house of ,commons in #ahbh1 on the ,civil ,government of ,canada1 after taking evidence as to the intentions of the original framers of the law1 expressed the same opinion1 and that opinion was ultimately confirmed by the decision of the twelve judges in #ahdj4 ,the ,bishop is1 therefore1 as much at fault in his facts on this point1 as he is in the language he employs in reference to ,imperial legal opinions1 and an ,imperial ,act of ,parliament4 ,it now becomes my duty to examine another large class of statements1 which ,i have read with great surprise and pain2 and which are1 if possible1 less excusable than those which ,i have already noticed4 ,i refer to the ,bishop's statements in regard to the influence of the union of the two ,canadas on the votes and proceedings of the ,legislative ,assembly of the united ,province1 on the question of the clergy reserves4 ,the ,bishop1 in his letter to ,lord ,john ,russell 7referring to the ,address of the ,legislative ,assembly1 at the session of #ahej1 to the ,queen71 states as follows3-- ,before the union of ,upper and ,lower ,canada1 such an unjust proceeding could not have taken place1 for1 while separate1 the ,church of ,england prevailed in ,upper ,canada1 and had frequently a commanding weight in the ,legislature1 and at all times an influence sufficient to protect her from injustice4 ,but since their union under one ,legislature1 each sending an equal number of members1 matters are sadly altered4 ,it is found1 as was anticipated1 that the members returned by dissenters uniformly join the ,french ,roman ,catholics1 and thus throw the members of the ,church of ,england into a hopeless minority on all questions in which the ,national ,church is interested4 ,the ,church of ,england has not only been prostrated by the union under that of ,rome1 and the whole of her property made dependent on ,roman ,catholic votes1 but she has been placed below ,protestant dissenters1 and privileges wrested from her which have been conferred upon them4 ,in his recent charge to the clergy of his ,diocese1 the ,bishop remarks again3-- ,so long as this diocese remained a distinct colony1 no measure detrimental to the ,church ever took effect4 ,even under the management and prevailing influence of that able and unscrupulous politician1 the late ,lord ,sydenham1 a ,bill disposing of the clergy reserves1 was carried by one vote only--a result which sufficiently proved that it was not the general wish of the people of the colony to legislate upon the subject4 ,i shall first notice that part of the ,bishop's statement which relates to ,upper ,canada1 before the union with ,lower ,canada4 ,the ,bishop asserts it not to have been the general wish of the people of the colony to legislate upon the subject of the clergy reserves2 that the ,church of ,england prevailed1 and had sufficient influence to maintain what he regards as her just rights4 ,the ,bishop has resided in ,upper ,canada nearly half a century1 and such a statement from him1 in direct contradiction to the whole political history of the ,province during more than half that period1 is difficult of solution1 though perfectly easy of refutation4 ,i have already transcribed one of a series of resolutions1 adopted by the ,legislative ,assembly as early as ,december1 #ahbf1 by a majority of #cj to #c1 objecting entirely to the exclusive pretensions made in behalf of the ,church of ,england4 ,but ,i find that nearly a year before this1 namely1 the #bgth of the ,january preceding1 the ,house of ,assembly of ,upper ,canada adopted an ,address to the ,king on the subject1 in which it is stated1 respectfully1 but strongly1-- ,that the lands set apart in this ,province for the maintenance and support of a ,protestant clergy ought not to be enjoyed by any one denomination of ,protestants to the exclusion of their ,christian brethren of other denominations1 equally conscientious in their respective modes of worshipping ,god1 and equally entitled1 as dutiful and loyal subjects1 to the protection of ,your ,majesty's benign and liberal ,government2 we1 therefore1 humbly hope it will1 in ,your ,majesty's wisdom1 be deemed expedient and just1 that not only the present reserves1 but that any funds arising from the sales thereof1 should be devoted to the advancement of the ,christian religion generally1 and the happiness of all ,your ,majesty's subjects of whatever denomination2 or if such application or distribution should be deemed inexpedient1 that the profits arising from such appropriation should be applied to the purposes of education and the general improvement of this ,province4 ,the following year 7,january1 #ahbg71 the ,house of ,assembly passed a ,bill 7the minority being only three71 providing for the sale and application of the whole of the proceeds of the reserves for purposes of education1 and erection of places of public worship for all denominations of ,christians4 ,and1 on examining the journals1 ,i find that from that time down to the union of the ,canadas in #ahda1 not a year passed over without the passing of resolutions1 or address1 or bill1 by the ,house of ,assembly of ,upper ,canada1 for the general application of the proceeds of the reserves1 in some form or other1 but always1 without exception1 against what the ,bishop claims as the rights of the ,church of ,england in respect to those lands4 ,it is difficult to conceive a more complete refutation than these facts furnish of the ,bishop's statement1 that the ,church of ,england prevailed in ,upper ,canada1 and had a commanding weight in the ,legislature2 nor could a stronger proof be required of the general wish of the people of the colony to legislate upon the subject1 than such a course of procedure on the part of their representatives for so many years during successive ,parliaments1 and amidst all the variations of party and party politics on all other questions4 ,it is also incorrect to say that the ,bill of ,lord ,sydenham in #ahdj was carried by a majority of one vote only4 ,a ,bill did pass the ,assembly of ,upper ,canada the year before1 by a majority of one vote only2 but that was a ,bill to re-invest the reserves in the ,imperial ,parliament for general religious purposes1--a ,bill passed a few hours before the close of the session1 during which no less than forty-eight divisions1 with the record of yeas and nays1 took place in the ,assembly on the question of the clergy reserves2 and after the ,assembly had passed1 by considerable majorities1 both resolutions and a ,bill to give the ,church of ,england one-fourth of the proceeds of the clergy reserves1 and the other three-fourths to other religious denominations and to educational purposes--a ,bill which1 with some verbal amendments1 also passed the ,legislative ,council1 and against which the ,bishop1 joined by one other member1 recorded an elaborate protest4 ,but just at the heel of the session1 and after several members of the ,assembly voting in the majority had gone to their homes1 a measure 7which had been previously negatived again and again7 was passed by a majority of one vote only 7#bb to #ba71 to re-invest the reserves--a measure which the law officers in ,england pronounced unconstitutional1 as the manner of getting it through the ,canadian ,legislature was unprecedented4 ,see page #bdi4 ,but the measure of ,lord ,sydenham was carried in the ,assembly by a majority of #d1 and in the ,legislative ,council 7of which the ,bishop was a member and voted against the bill7 by a majority of #h4 ,a considerable majority of the members of the ,church of ,england of both ,houses of the ,legislature voted for the bill1 and were afterwards charged by the ,bishop with defection1 and treachery for doing so4 ,see page #bfb4 ,on this point ,lord ,sydenham1 in a despatch to ,lord ,john ,russell1 dated ,toronto1 #eth ,february1 #ahdj1 stated as follows3-- ,it is notorious to every one here1 that of twenty-two members being communicants of the ,church of ,england who voted upon this ,bill1 only eight recorded their opinion in favour of the views expressed by the right reverend ,prelate2 whilst in the ,legislative ,council the majority was still greater2 and amongst those who gave it their warmest support are to be found many gentlemen of the highest character for independence and for attachment to the ,church1 and whose views in general politics differ from those of ,her ,majesty's ,government4 ,after this epitome of references to the proceedings of the people of ,upper ,canada1 through their representatives1 from #ahbe to #ahdj1 on what the ,bishop terms the rights and patrimony of the ,church of ,england1 it is needless to make more than one or two remarks on his statements as to the influence of the union of the ,canadas on the proceedings and votes of the ,legislative ,assembly upon the subject4 ,my first remark is1 that the question of the clergy reserves has not been introduced into the present ,legislative ,assembly by any member1 or at the solicitation of any member1 from ,lower ,canada4 ,i remark1 secondly1 that though there is not a ,roman ,catholic among the forty-two members elected for ,upper ,canada2 yet when a resolution was introduced into the ,assembly1 both at the last and during the present session1 expressing a desire to maintain the present settlement of the clergy reserves1 as provided in the ,act1 #c #d ,vic41 chap4 #gh1 only sixteen in the first instance1 and thirteen in the second1 voted for it--only about one-third of the members for ,upper ,canada4 ,should1 therefore1 the union of the ,canadas be dissolved to-morrow1 the ,bishop would be in as hopeless a minority as he was before the union4 ,the following remarks of a recent speech of ,mr4 ,lafontaine 7the leader of the ,roman ,catholic ,french members of the ,assembly7 will show how entirely groundless are the ,bishop's imputations upon that portion of the ,assembly4 ,he thought the clergy reserves should be fairly divided among the ,protestant denominations1 and that they should be altogether taken out of the hands of the ,government1 as the only way to take them out of the reach of agitation4 ,he thought the rectories were vested rights1 and should not be disturbed1 unless by due process of law1 if1 as was pretended1 they were improperly obtained4 ,if there were any claims in the ,act of #agia which seemed to connect the ,church of ,england to the ,state1 though he did not think they did1 they might be repealed1 and the ,bishop of ,toronto seemed to be of opinion that that might be done4 ,let the appointment of the incumbents to the rectories1 too1 be taken from the ,government1 if it were thought proper1 and given to the ,church for other uses4 ,he merely suggested that without wishing to impose it4 ,he would conclude with one reflection3 ,let his ,protestant fellow-countrymen remember they would never find opposition to their just rights from ,roman ,catholics and ,french ,canadians4 ,the latter had repeatedly passed ,acts in ,lower ,canada to give equal rights to those who were called dissenters1 and ,jews1 which were rejected by members of the ,church of ,england in the ,council1 and it was worthy of remark that1 at a moment when in ,england a pretended aggression had given occasion for persecution1 the ,church of ,england here had to rely upon ,catholics to protect it against the aggression of other ,protestant sects4 ,i shall now make a few observations on the ,bishop's statements respecting government grants to the ,church of ,rome1 and the endowments of that ,church in ,lower ,canada4 ,the ,bishop1 framing his statements with a view to the ,protestant feeling of ,england1 inveighs in general terms against the ,government on account of its alleged patronage of the ,church of ,rome2 makes exaggerated statements on one side1 and omits all references to facts on the other side which would enable the ,protestants of ,england1 to whom he appeals1 to understand the part which he has himself taken in favour of grants to the ,church of ,rome1 the manner in which those grants are paid at the present time1 and the alliance which he has long endeavoured1 and would still wish to form with that ,church in respect to endowments4 ,the ,bishop says3-- ,in ,upper ,canada1 the ,roman ,catholic clergy do not1 at present1 exceed seventy in number1 and the provision for their support is very slender4 ,it depends chiefly on their customary dues1 and the contributions of their respective flocks2 unless1 indeed1 they receive assistance from the ,french portion of the ,province1 where the resources of the ,romish ,church are abundant4 ,now1 while the ,bishop presents an overdrawn and startling picture of the emoluments of the ,church of ,rome in ,lower ,canada1 he omits all statements of public grants and payments to the clergy of that church in ,upper ,canada4 ,the ,bishop must know1 that in addition to their customary dues1 and the voluntary contributions of their flocks1 the clergy of the ,church of ,rome receive #a1fff per annum1 and that that sum is paid out of the clergy reserve fund under the provisions of the very ,act1 #c #d ,vic41 chap4 #gh1 for the perpetuation of which he contends4 ,the first instructions to support the ,roman ,catholic clergy in ,upper ,canada out of public funds1 were given by ,earl ,bathurst1 in a despatch to ,sir ,p4 ,maitland1 dated #fth ,october1 #ahbf1 and which commenced in the following words3-- ,you will receive instructions from the ,treasury for the payment1 from funds to be derived from the ,canada ,company1 of the sum of #gej per annum1 for the salaries of the ,presbyterian ministers1 and a similar sum for the support of the ,roman ,catholic priests4 ,but what is remarkable is1 that this very policy of granting aid to the ,roman ,catholic priests in ,upper ,canada1 for which ,government has been so much blamed by the ,bishop's friends in ,england1 was urged by1 if it did not originate with1 the ,bishop himself4 ,for1 in a speech delivered by the ,bishop in the ,legislative ,council of ,upper ,canada1 #fth ,march1 #ahbh1 and afterwards published by himself1 ,i find his own statement of his proceedings in this matter1 as follows3-- ,it has always been my wish to see a reasonable support given to the clergy of the ,church of ,scotland1 because they belong to a ,church which is established in one section of the empire2 and to the ,roman ,catholic ,church because it may be considered as a concurrent church with the establishment in the sister ,province2 and to this end ,i have1 at all times1 advised the leading men of both those churches to make respectful representations to ,his ,majesty's ,government for assistance1 leaving it to ,ministers to discover the source from which such aid might be taken4--,his ,excellency1 the ,lieutenant-,governor of this ,province 7,sir ,p4 ,maitland71 having represented in the strongest manner to ,his ,majesty's ,government the propriety of making some provision for the clergy in communion with the kirk1 and also of the ,roman ,catholic clergy resident in ,upper ,canada1 a reference was made to me on that subject1 while in ,london1 in ,june1 #ahbf4 ,on this occasion ,i enforced1 as well as ,i could1 the recommendations made by ,his ,excellency1 in respect to both churches4 ,thus four months before ,earl ,bathurst sent out instructions to give salaries to ,roman ,catholic priests in ,upper ,canada1 the ,bishop states that he urged it upon the favourable consideration of ,his ,lordship4 ,the ,bishop then significantly adds3-- ,i did flatter myself that they would have been satisfied1 as indeed they ought to have been1 and that henceforth the clergy of the two denominations1 the ,roman ,catholic and ,presbyterian1 while discharging their own religious duties1 would cordially co-operate with those of the establishment in promoting the general peace and welfare of society4 ,it is gratifying to me to state that1 as far as ,i know1 the ,roman ,catholic clergy1 during this contest1 have observed a strict neutrality4 ,however ingenious it may be1 ,i cannot regard it as ingenuous that the ,bishop should promote the endowment of the ,roman ,catholic clergy in this country in order to secure their political alliance and support against other ,protestant denominations1 and then appeal to ,protestants in ,england against the ,government and ,legislature in ,canada1 because of the countenance given to the ,church of ,rome4 ,it is hardly fair for the ,bishop to act one part in ,canada and another in ,england2 and it is fallacious and wrong to represent the votes of ,roman ,catholics as exerting any influence whatever on the state of the question in ,upper ,canada--as of the twenty-five ,roman ,catholics who voted on the question last year1 twelve voted on one side and thirteen on the other2 and they are known to hold the opinion declared by their leader1 ,mr4 ,lafontaine1 that the proceeds of the clergy reserves belong to the ,protestants of the country in contradistinction to ,roman ,catholics4 ,the ,bishop's statements in regard to the endowments of the ,roman ,catholic ,church in ,lower ,canada are most extravagant4 ,they cannot affect1 in the least1 the merits of the question which has so long agitated ,upper ,canada2 and they appear to be introduced merely for effect in ,england1 where the social state and position of parties in ,canada are little known or understood4 ,it is needless to examine the ,bishop's statements on this subject in detail2 but ,i will make two or three remarks1 to show the fallacy of both his assertions and his reasoning4 ,he gives no data whatever for his perfectly gratuitous and improbable assumption of four hundred parish priests in ,lower ,canada at a salary of #bej each1 exclusive of those employed in colleges1 monasteries1 and religious houses1 making1 he says1 ,the revenue of the ,roman ,catholic ,church in ,lower ,canada1 #ajj1jjj per annum1 a sum which represents a money capital of at least #b1jjj1jjj6 ,this imaginary estimate of the ,bishop is simply absurd1 and supposes in ,lower ,canada ten-fold the wealth that really exists4 ,the ,bishop also gives a return of the seignorial lands of several religious orders of the ,roman ,catholic ,church in ,lower ,canada1 then invests those lands with a fictitious value1 and sets them down as representing a capital of #gjj1jjj6 whereas the rights to these lands are simply seignorial1 and the annual revenue arising from them does not amount to threepence per acre4 ,the ,jesuits' estates1 #hia1hde acres--by far the largest item in the ,bishop's paper--are in the hands of the ,government1 and not of the ,roman ,catholic ,church at all4 ,the fallacy of the ,bishop's reasoning on this point will appear from the facts1 that the ,british ,crown has never made a grant or endowment to the ,roman ,catholic ,church in ,lower ,canada1 or to any religious order of that ,church2 that whatever lands or endowments that ,church or its religious communities may possess1 were obtained either from the ,crown of ,france1 and therefore secured by treaty1 or by the legacies of individuals1 or by purchase4 ,the island of ,montreal was obtained by purchase2 the rights are merely seignorial1 or feudal1 and yield to the seigneurs #h1jjj per annum4 ,there is1 therefore1 no analogy whatever between endowments thus obtained and held1 and lands appropriated by the ,crown for certain general objects1 which have been vested in the hands of no religious community1 and over which ,parliament has expressly reserved the power of discretionary legislation4 ,i shall now offer a few remarks on the ,bishop's statements respecting the ,toronto ,university and system of public schools in ,upper ,canada4 ,as these are questions which have been set at rest by local legislation1 by and with the sanction of the ,imperial ,government1 ,i need only refer to the ,bishop's statements so far as to remove the erroneous impressions and unjust prejudices which they are calculated to produce4 ,in reference to the ,bishop's statements1 that graduates in holy orders are declared ineligible as members of the ,senate1 ,i remark that such graduates are and have been members of the ,senate from the commencement4 ,and when the ,bishop pronounces the ,university essentially unchristian1 he must have known that not only a ,parliamentary law1 but a ,university statute1 exists for the religious instruction and worship of all the students of the ,university2 whereas1 when the ,bishop had the management of it1 no provision whatever existed for the religious instruction and worship of any of the students except members of the ,church of ,england4 ,the statement1 therefore1 of the ,bishop1 that-- ,there is at present no ,seminary in ,upper ,canada in which the children of conscientious churchmen can receive a ,christian and liberal education1 is contradicted by the fact that the children of many churchmen1 as conscientious as the ,bishop himself1 are receiving such an education at a ,seminary in ,upper ,canada4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the lands out of which the ,university has been endowed were early set apart by the ,crown1 not on the application or recommendation of any authority or dignitary of the ,church of ,england1 but on the application of the ,legislative ,assembly of ,upper ,canada2 and the cause of all the agitation on the subject is1 that the ,bishop1 unknown to the ,canadian people1 and by representations which they1 through their representatives1 declared to be incorrect and unfounded1 obtained a ,university ,charter in ,england1 and the application of those lands as an endowment1 which the ,legislative ,assembly never would recognize4 ,and now that that ,assembly has at length got these lands restored to the objects for which they were originally appropriated1 but from which they had for a time been alienated1 the ,bishop seeks1 by the most unfounded imputations and representations1 to do all in his power to damage a ,seminary which he ought to be the first to countenance and support4 ,in his recent charge to his clergy1 the ,bishop has sought to damage the public elementary schools2 and here his statements are equally at fault with those noticed in regard to the ,university4 ,the ,bishop says1 ,christianity is not so much as acknowledged by our ,school law4 ,this statement is contradicted by the #adth section of the ,school ,act1 and the general regulations which are made under its authority1 headed1 ,constitution and government of schools in respect to religious instruction1 and which commence with the following words3-- ,as ,christianity is the basis of our whole system of elementary education1 that principle should pervade it throughout4 ,the ,bishop says again3-- ,to take away the power of parents to judge and direct the education of their children1 which is their natural privilege from ,god1 as our schools virtually do1 will never be allowed in ,great ,britain4 ,the ,bishop makes this statement in the face of the express provision of the #adth section of the ,school ,act1 which declares that pupils shall be allowed to receive such religious instruction as their parents or guardians shall desire4 ,the ,bishop furthermore states that the ,bible appears not among our school books1 and says also that the system is not based on a recognition of the ,scriptures4 ,it would be strange if the ,bishop were ignorant that in a lengthened correspondence1 printed by order of the ,legislative ,assembly1 the ,chief ,superintendent of ,schools objected to any law or system which would exclude the ,bible from the schools1--that the ,government sanctioned his views1--that his annual reports show that the ,bible is used in the great majority of the schools in ,upper ,canada4 ,by the returns of last year1 the ,bible was used in #b1jfg of the #c1jei schools reported--being an increase of #bca schools over those of the preceding year in which the ,bible was used4 ,the ,bishop likewise says3-- ,a belief of ,christianity is not included among the qualifications of school-masters2 and ,i am credibly informed that there have been instances of candidates for schools disavowing all religious belief4 ,there is no law to prevent the vilest person from being candidates for any office1 even that of holy orders2 but candidates for schools1 and school-masters1 with legal certificates of qualification1 are two very different things4 ,according to the school law1 no person can be a legally qualified teacher1 or receive any portion of the school fund1 without appearing before a ,county ,board of ,examiners 7who consist1 in all cases1 more or less of clergymen71 produce to them satisfactory evidence of good moral character1 and be examined and approved by them4 ,even the name of the church to which the school-master belongs is specified1 and the annual reports of the ,chief ,superintendent of ,schools include this item of information4 ,a teacher may also1 at any time1 be dismissed for intemperance or any immoral conduct4 ,it is notorious that the standard of qualification for teachers1 both moral and intellectual1 and the provisions and regulations for religious instruction in the schools1 are much higher1 and more complete and efficient1 than under a former school law which the ,bishop himself introduced into the ,legislature1 when he was ,chairman of the ,provincial ,board of ,education4 ,again1 the ,bishop states that ,all that is wanting is1 to give power to the different boards or authorities to grant separate schools to all localities desiring them4 ,this is precisely what the school law provides2 for the #bdth section of the ,act expressly authorizes and empowers the ,board of ,school ,trustees in each city or town1 to determine the number1 sites1 kind and description of schools which shall be established in such city or town4 ,the ,boards of ,school ,trustees may therefore establish as many separate schools in all the cities and towns in ,upper ,canada1 as they shall think proper4 ,but they are not willing to establish such separate schools as the ,bishop desires2 and when an amendment to the school law was proposed at the last session1 to compel the local boards or authorities to do so1 it was almost unanimously rejected4 ,the ,bishop says1 indeed1 referring to this circumstance1 that when the ,church of ,england requested separate schools for the religious instruction of her own children1 her prayer was rejected by the votes of ,romanists4 ,the fact is1 that that proposition received the votes of but five members of the ,legislative ,assembly1 in which there are upwards of fifty ,protestants4 ,it is lamentable to see the ,bishop making such statements to damage and pull down the educational institutions of the country1 merely because they are not under his denominational control1 and subservient to his denominational purposes1--a system of schools which he has1 from the commencement1 endeavoured to establish in ,upper ,canada1 and for which he has agitated the country these many years4 ,that ,i do the ,bishop no injustice in this statement1 ,i may remark1 that in his letter to the ,under-,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 in #ahbg1 applying for the so-much-agitated ,charter of the ,provincial ,university1 he states his object to be1 that the clergy of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada may acquire by degrees the direction of education which the clergy of ,england have always possessed4 ,now that the ,legislative ,assembly1 since the establishment of free constitutional government1 have defeated the peculiar objects of the ,bishop1 he labours by groundless imputations and statements to bring the whole system of public instruction into contempt4 ,it is to be hoped that such efforts will be as unsuccessful in ,england as they have been in ,canada1 where his appeals for agitation have not been responded to by one out of ten of the congregations of the ,church of ,england1 and are not sustained by the greater part of the members of the ,church of ,england in both branches of the ,legislature4 ,not a petition has been presented by members of the ,church of ,england against the present system of public schools1 except one1 adopted by a meeting presided over by the ,bishop1 and signed by himself2 and the ,legislative ,council within the last few days1 by a majority of more than two to one1 concurred with the ,legislative ,assembly and ,administration in regard to the clergy reserves and ,university4 ,the ,bishop's extreme policy and proceedings have been and are a great calamity to the ,church of ,england in ,canada--a calamity which can only be mitigated and removed by the discountenance of such proceedings1 and by the adoption of a more ,christian and judicious policy on the part of members of the ,church1 both in ,england and in ,canada4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in reviewing the history of this question from #ahdj until its final settlement by the ,canadian ,parliament1 in #ahed1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,messrs4 ,william and ,egerton ,ryerson had been appointed representatives of the ,canadian to the ,british ,conference in #ahdj4 ,on their arrival in ,england1 they found ,lord ,john ,russell's ,bill for the disposal of the ,canadian ,clergy ,reserves to the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland before ,parliament2 and1 as representing the largest religious denomination in ,upper ,canada1 they requested an interview with ,lord ,john ,russell on the subject of ,his ,lordship's ,bill before ,parliament4 ,in the interview granted1 they pointed out to ,his ,lordship the injustice1 impolicy1 and danger of the ,bill1 should it become law1 and respectfully and earnestly prayed ,his ,lordship to withdraw the ,bill2 but he was inflexible1 when the ,messrs4 ,ryerson prayed to ,his ,lordship to assent to their being heard at the ,bar of the ,house of ,commons against the ,bill2 at which ,his ,lordship became very angry--thinking it presumptuous that two ,canadians1 however numerous and respectable their constituency1 should propose to be heard at the ,bar of the ,british ,house of ,commons against a measure of ,her ,majesty's ,government4 ,but the ,messrs4 ,ryerson knew their country and their position1 and afterwards wrote a respectful but earnest letter to ,his ,lordship against his measure1 and faithfully warned him of the consequences of it if persevered in2 they went so far as to intimate that the measure would prove an opening wedge of separation between ,great ,britain and the people of ,upper ,canada2 and lest they should be considered as endeavouring to fulfil their own predictions1 they did not publish their letter to ,lord ,john ,russell1 or write a line on the subject for more than ten years--knowing that a wound so deep would1 without any action or word on their part1 fester and spread so wide in the people of ,upper ,canada as ultimately to compel the repeal of the ,act or sever their connection with ,great ,britain4 ,the result was as they1 ,messrs4 ,ryerson1 had apprehended2 for in #ahec the ,act was repealed by the ,british ,parliament4#acf ,early in #aheb1 the ,government of which ,earl ,grey was ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 was superseded by that of the ,earl of ,derby1 with ,sir ,john ,packington as ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 who1 in a despatch to ,lord ,elgin1 dated ,april #bbnd1 #aheb1 says3-- ,by a despatch from my predecessor1 ,earl ,grey1 of the #aath ,july last1 you were informed that ,her ,majesty's then servants found themselves compelled to postpone to another ,session the introduction of a ,bill into ,parliament giving the ,canadian ,legislature authority to alter the existing arrangements with regard to the clergy reserves4 ,with reference to that intimation1 ,i have to inform you that it is not the intention of ,her ,majesty's present advisers to propose such a measure to ,parliament this ,session4 ,the result would probably be the diversion to other purposes of the clergy reserves than the support of divine worship and religious instruction in the colony4 ,sir ,john ,pakington was soon undeceived as to the continued ,canadian sentiment on the subject1 for ,sir ,francis ,hincks1 then ,inspector-,general and ,premier of ,canada1 who happened to be in ,london on official business on behalf of the ,canadian ,government1 enclosed to ,sir ,john ,pakington an extract from a report1 dated #gth ,april1 #aheb1 approved by ,his ,excellency1 in which the ,executive ,council said3-- ,the assurances of ,her ,majesty's late ,government that such action would be taken1 had prepared the people of ,canada to expect that no further delay would take place in meeting their just wishes upon a question of such paramount importance to them2 the ,council1 therefore1 recommend that their colleague1 the ,inspector-,general1 be requested by the ,provincial ,secretary to seek an interview with ,her ,majesty's ,ministers1 and represent to them the importance of carrying out the pledges of their predecessors on the subject of the clergy reserves1 and thus empower the ,colonial ,legislature to deal with the question in accordance with the well-understood wishes of the people of ,canada4 ,the ,derby ministry resigned office in ,december1 #aheb1 and the ,duke of ,newcastle succeeded ,sir ,john ,pakington as ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies4 ,on the #aeth ,january1 #ahec1 the ,duke addressed a despatch to the ,earl of ,elgin announcing the decision of the new ministry to propose the repeal of the ,imperial ,act of #ahdj1 which was successfully accomplished4 ,after the passing of the ,imperial ,act transferring the final settlement of the clergy reserve question to ,canada1 a coalition ,government was formed by the aid of ,sir ,allan ,mc,nab1 called the ,hincks-,morin ,ministry4 ,after protracted negotiation 7with the beneficiaries under the ,imperial ,act7 and discussion in the ,legislature1 a ,bill was passed providing for the interests of these claimants1 but secularizing the remaining proceeds of the reserves to municipal purposes4 ,this was the last of the ,acts assented to by ,lord ,elgin previous to his departure from ,canada4 ,sir ,edmund ,head1 his successor1 speaking on this subject1 said3-- ,an ,act assented to by my predecessor has finally settled the long pending dispute with regard to the clergy reserves1 and it has done so in such a manner as to vindicate liberal principles1 whilst it treats the rights of individuals with just and considerate regard4 ,thus was a struggle of more than twenty-five years ended1 equality before the law of all religious denominations established1 and constitutional rights of the people of ,upper ,canada secured1 to their great joy4 ,but the ,bishop of ,toronto1 whose policy and measures had caused so much agitation in ,upper ,canada1 regarded this settlement of the clergy reserve question as an irreparable calamity to the ,church of ,england in ,canada4 ,on the #afth of ,march1 #ahec1 the ,bishop addressed a letter to the ,duke of ,newcastle1 of which the following are extracts3-- ,power and violence are to determine the question2 vested rights and the claims of justice are impediments to be swept away4 ,hence the spoliation sought to be perpetrated by the ,legislature of ,canada has no parallel in colonial history4 ,even in the middle of the ,american ,revolution1 the old colonists1 during the heart-burnings and ravages of civil war1 respected the ecclesiastical endowments made by the ,crown against which they were contending4444 ,the grants made by the ,crown were all held by the same tenure--whether to individuals or corporations--not reservations for certain purposes1 with power expressly given to ,colonial ,assemblies to vary or repeal them4 ,the ,bishop proceeded3-- ,i feel bitterly1 my ,lord ,duke1 on this subject4 ,till ,i heard of your ,grace's despatch1 ,i had fondly trusted in ,mr4 ,gladstone and his friends1 of whom you are one1 notwithstanding the present doubtful ,administration2 and ,i still argued in my heart1 though not without misgivings1 that the ,church was safe1 ,i have cherished her with my best energies for more than half a century in this distant corner of ,god's dominions2 and after many trials and difficulties ,i was beholding her with joy1 enlarging her tent1 lengthening her cords1 and strengthening her stakes1 but now this joy is turned into grief and sadness1 for darkness and tribulation are approaching to arrest her onward progress4 ,permit me1 in conclusion1 my ,lord ,duke1 to entreat your forgiveness if1 in the anguish of my spirit1 ,i have been too bold1 for it is far from my wish or intention to give personal offence4 ,and of this rest assured1 that ,i would most willingly avert1 with the sacrifice of my life1 the calamities which the passing of your ,bill will bring upon the ,church in ,canada4 ,there is a touching pathos in the close of this letter2 but the ,bishop himself lived to see his apprehended calamities turned into blessings2 for the most prosperous and brightest days of the ,church of ,england in ,upper ,canada have been from #ahec to the present time4 ,,footnotes3 #acf ,earl ,grey had intended to propose its repeal in #ahej-ea1 and had requested the writer of these papers 7who was then on an educational tour in ,europe7 to remain in ,england in order to furnish ,his ,lordship with data and details to enable him to answer objections which might be made to his ,bill in the ,house of ,lords1 and wrote to ,lord ,elgin1 then ,governor-,general of ,canada1 requesting the protracting of ,mr4 ,ryerson's leave of absence for two or three months4 ,but the ,bill had to be deferred until another ,session1 and ,mr4 ,ryerson returned immediately to ,canada4 7,see page #dee47 ,,chapter ,,liii4 #ahea4 ,personal ,episode in the ,clergy ,reserve ,controversy4 ,dr4 ,ryerson made another educational tour in ,europe in #ahej-ea4 ,while in ,london1 early in #ahea1 ,earl ,grey sought ,dr4 ,ryerson's counsel on the clergy reserve question1 which had been lately re-opened in ,canada4 ,the proceedings and result of the interviews which he had with ,earl ,grey1 are detailed in several letters which he wrote to me from ,london during a period of four months4 ,i give such extracts from these letters as will explain the nature of ,dr4 ,ryerson's conferences with ,earl ,grey on the subject4 ,his first letter was written on the #gth ,february1 in which he said3-- ,you will rejoice to learn that ,her ,majesty's ,government have adopted the prayer of the ,canadian ,legislature on the question of the clergy reserves1 and have determined to bring forward a measure on the subject4 ,whether ,lord ,grey will desire me to remain longer on account of the question ,i have not had time to learn4 ,mr4 afterwards ,sir ,benjamin ,hawes says that he will procure me admission to the speaker's gallery to tear ,lord ,john ,russell bring forward his measure on the ,papal ,question4 ,in a letter written by ,dr4 ,ryerson the following week1 dated #adth ,february1 he enclosed to me a confidential letter on the clergy reserve question1 in which he explained the likelihood of his being detained in ,england by ,lord ,grey in connection with it4 ,he said3-- ,i send this to you1 so that you may know all the circumstances which are likely to protract my stay for some months in this country2 and for the same reason1 and that you may co-operate with me1 ,i entrust you with the perusal of my confidential letter--another proof of my unreserved confidence in your prudence and fidelity4 ,i think it would not be well for you to mention anything as to my probable delay in ,england1 and especially as to the reasons of it1 until it becomes known to the public4 ,my position is1 indeed1 a gratifying one1 after so long labour and so much abuse in connection with the great clergy reserve question1 that ,i should be desired to aid in its final settlement according to the voice of the people of ,canada1 and should now be called upon to aid ,lord ,john ,russell himself to undo his own measure of #ahdj1 against which ,i then protested4 ,i am sure you will be prepared to perform any additional labour to enable me to fulfil such a mission4 ,i trust that ,i will be enabled to confer a benefit upon ,canada4 ,it is a gratifying position in which such a concurrence of circumstances will place me1 and my personal character and history in regard to a question which has engaged so large a portion of my past life--the ground of all the opposition ,i formerly met with from the ,london ,wesleyan ,committee and ,conference4 ,verily there is a ,god that ruleth over all things1 that makes the wrath of man to praise ,him1 that rules in ways we know not of4 ,we should indeed fear ,him1 bow down in the dust before ,him1 but at the same time most calmly and implicitly trust ,him4 ,please write me as to the effects produced by ,lord ,grey's despatch1 the manner in which it is received1 etc4 ,in a letter1 dated #acth ,march1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,i have received a letter from a member of the ,government in ,canada1 expressing a wish that ,i would remain in ,england until after the great ,exhibition1 as the ,canadian ,parliament would not meet until ,may4 ,this1 in anticipation of what ,lord ,grey has desired1 has quite settled my mind on the subject of remaining until ,may or ,june4 ,i shall remain in ,paris until ,i am wanted in ,london on the clergy reserve question--,i suppose until the middle of next month4 ,listening some hours each day in ,paris to some of the most learned men in ,europe1 giving the results of all their researches and reflections on various branches of literature and science1 will be of great advantage to me in my future lectures1 writings and labours1 and this ,i shall continue until the voice of war on the clergy reserves shall echo across the ,atlantic4 ,i suppose my presence in ,england at this time will be a great annoyance to the exclusive ,church party1 and it will perhaps make them more cautious than they might otherwise be in their statements4 ,as the ministry in ,england continue firm1 ,i hope no effort will be wanting in ,canada to sustain ,lord ,grey1 should an opposition be raised against his proposed bill1 the bringing in of which may be delayed some time by the late long ministerial crisis in ,england4 ,in a letter1 dated #aath ,april1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,in regard to the clergy reserves1 ,i have been inclined to think the ,bishop of ,toronto and his friends would not attempt to renew the agitation of the clergy reserve question in ,canada1 but would prepare the strongest statement of their case for the ,parliament here1 in the mouths of some of their ablest friends in both the ,commons and ,lords1 and thus take the ,government here by surprise1 and try and defeat the ,bill in the ,lords1 after having1 reduced the majority in favour of it in the ,commons as much as possible4 ,on the #ahth ,april1 #ahea1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote again3-- ,the ,scotch ,presbytery of ,kingston1 ,u4 ,c41 have sent a petition to the ,house of ,commons against ,lord ,grey's ,bill1 or against complying with the prayer of the address of the ,canadian ,assembly1 and sent to me with the request that ,i would prepare an answer to it4 ,i think of preparing my answer in the form of a communication or two to the ,times newspaper1 and thus bring the whole subject before the ,members of ,parliament and the public4 ,should ,i succeed in this1 ,lord ,grey may not think my longer stay to be necessary4 ,i am anxious to get away as soon as possible2 the season is advancing1 and ,i have so much to do before the close of it in the autumn4 ,business and embarrassments have so accumulated in the ,house of ,commons that it is pretty nearly decided to bring the clergy reserve ,bill into the ,lords by ,lord ,grey himself1 and he expects to do so about the middle of ,may4 ,should it be brought into the ,lords1 of course there would not be so long delay there before deciding the question one way or the other4 ,but the chances are so strong against its success if brought into the ,lords first1 that ,lord ,grey is unwilling to adopt that course until it is seen that that is the only alternative4 ,if it should be lost in the ,lords now1 he1 of course1 thinks it would soon be carried by a pressure from ,canada1 such as the rejection of the ,bill by the ,lords would probably call forth4 ,on the #beth ,april1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote3-- ,the late crisis has made no change in the intentions of the ,government in regard to the clergy reserve question4 ,i send you a copy of the ,times of the #bcrd instant1 the day before yesterday1 in which you will see the first of my papers on ,the ,clergy ,reserves of ,canada4 ,the second and third will occupy a column and a half or two columns1 each4 ,i finished and handed in the remaining papers this morning4 ,lord ,grey spoke to me twice on the subject of writing something for the press1 and ,mr4 ,hawes1 the last time ,i saw him1 seemed to think the ,bill would be lost in the ,house of ,lords1 but the ,government would send out a despatch to ,canada saying that the question was not abandoned1 but would be brought forward again the next ,session4 ,i have thought this was a very poor consolation for the loss of the ,bill1 and that it was best to see what could be done4 ,i have written strongly1 and with an express view to the ,house of ,lords--confining myself wholly to the question of the right of the people of ,canada to judge and decide in the matter4 ,what may be the effect of these papers1 ,i cannot1 of course1 tell2 but if ,lord ,grey should be of opinion that the publication of them will supersede the necessity of my longer stay for that purpose1 ,i will leave as soon as possible--by the third week in ,may4 ,i wrote fully to ,dr4 ,ryerson on this subject1 pointing out the relation of parties in ,canada on this subject1 and deprecating his taking any further active part in the discussion which had become so heated in this country4 ,on the #bnd ,may1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied3-- ,what you have communicated on the clergy reserve question has changed my mode of proceeding in some respects2 and the second and third articles ,i prepared for the ,times will not appear as first intended2 but ,i will explain by and by4 ,i was at the great ,exhibition yesterday4 ,it was the grandest of all grand affairs ,i ever witnessed4 ,i had a place near the centre1 within a few feet of the ,iron ,duke1 until he left to join the procession4 ,on the #ith ,may1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote his final letter3-- ,on reflection1 and from what ,i found to be the relations of parties in ,canada1 and the turn the clergy reserve question was likely to take1 ,i came to the same conclusion you have expressed in your last letter--not to come into collision with any party on the question1 beyond what is expressed in the short article in the ,times newspaper--namely1 that ,canada should judge for itself on the question4 ,i have determined to furnish ,lord ,grey with a memorandum of facts and principles on the question4 ,i have seen ,lord ,grey and stated my wish not to remain longer1 and not to be further mixed up with the question--that ,i was now on good terms with all parties--had thus great facilities for usefulness--that party agitation in ,canada was becoming violent--two extreme parties1 uniting against the ,ministerial measure4 ,i told him that ,i would furnish him with a memorandum1 with all the chief points of the question on which he was likely to be opposed4 ,he seemed to be disappointed1 but said if ,i thought my ,department would suffer by my longer absence1 he would not insist upon my staying4 ,i told him that all parties would approve of my staying for the ,great ,exhibition1 and that ,i thought a memorandum1 such as ,i would prepare on the question of the clergy reserves1 would be as serviceable as my presence1 etc4 ,memorandum on the ,clergy ,reserve ,question4 ,the following is the memorandum which ,dr4 ,ryerson prepared for ,lord ,grey on the clergy reserve question1 and to which he refers in his letter to me of the #ith ,may1 #ahea3-- ,fully concurring in the remark of the ,bishop of ,london1 in a late reply to the deputation of the inhabitants of ,st4 ,george's1 ,hanover ,square1 that there is no kind of intestine division so injurious in its character and tendency as that which is grounded on religious questions2 and firmly believing1 as ,i do1 that the long continuance of ,canada as a portion of the ,british ,empire depends upon the proceedings of the ,british ,parliament on the question of the clergy reserves1 ,i desire1 as a native and resident of ,upper ,canada1 as a ,protestant and lover of ,british institutions1 to submit the following brief observations on that question1 in order to correct erroneous impressions in ,england1 and to induce such a course of parliamentary proceedings as will conduce to the honour of ,great ,britain1 and to the peace and welfare of ,canada3-- #a4 ,my first remark is1 that this is a question agitated for more than twenty-five years1 almost exclusively among ,protestants in ,canada1 and the agitation of which1 at the present time1 has not1 in any way whatever1 been promoted by ,roman ,catholic influence4 ,an attempt has been made in some quarters to create a contrary impression in ,england2 but that ,i am correct in my statement will1 ,i think1 appear from the following facts3--,first1 though the question of the clergy reserves nominally relates to ,lower as well as ,upper ,canada 7since the union of the two ,canadas under one ,legislature71 it is historically and practically an ,upper ,canadian question4 ,the agitation of it originated in ,upper ,canada2 it never was agitated in ,lower ,canada before the union of the two provinces2 it is discussed chiefly by the ,upper ,canada press1 and pressed most earnestly by the ,upper ,canada members of the ,legislature4 ,so strongly is it viewed as an ,upper ,canadian question1 that a considerable portion of the press of ,upper ,canada has objected to ,lower ,canadian members of the ,legislature interfering in its discussion or influencing its decision by their votes4 ,secondly1 all the ,upper ,canadian members1 both of the ,executive ,council and of the ,legislative ,assembly1 are ,protestants4 ,of the forty-two members of the ,legislative ,assembly elected in ,upper ,canada1 not one of them is a ,roman ,catholic2 of the five ,upper ,canadian members of the ,executive ,council1 all are ,protestants1 and all were in favour of the late ,address of the ,assembly to the ,queen1 praying for the repeal of the ,imperial ,act1 #d #e ,vic41 chap4 #gh4 and for restoring to the people of ,canada the constitutional right of judging for themselves as to the disposal of the clergy reserve lands in that country4 ,it ought1 therefore1 to be remembered in ,england1 that this question relates chiefly to ,upper ,canada1 which is1 for the most part1 a ,protestant country1 and which has not a single ,roman ,catholic in the ,legislative ,assembly4 #b4 ,i remark1 in the next place1 that it is not a question of ,church and ,state union1 or whether the ,state shall contribute to the support of religion in one or more forms4 ,it is whether the ,canadian people shall judge for themselves as to the mode of supporting their religious worship1 as well as to the religious creed they shall adopt4 ,this right was clearly secured to them by their constitutional ,act of #agia1 #cast ,george ,,iii41 chap4 #ca1 but was taken from them by the ,imperial ,act of #ahdj1 #c #d ,vic41 chap4 #gh4 ,in what manner the people of ,canada1 through their representatives1 may exercise the constitutional right1 the restoration of which they claim1 for the support of religion1 ,i am not prepared to say4 ,but whether they shall exercise wisely or not that1 or any other right constitutionally vested in them1 is a matter appertaining to themselves1 and not to parties in ,england4 ,i am not to be the less anxious for the restoration to my country of its constitutional rights because it may not exercise them wisely1 or exercise them in a manner opposed to my personal views and wishes4 ,the constitutional rights of legislation in ,great ,britain may not have always been exercised most judiciously1 but who would adduce that as an argument for the annihilation of those rights1 or against the existence of constitutional freedom in ,england8 ,is ,canada to be made an exception to this rule8 #c4 ,i remark1 thirdly1 that neither is this a question which affects the vested rights of any parties except those of the people of ,canada generally4 ,when one-seventh of the wild lands of ,canada was reserved for the support of a ,protestant clergy1 by the ,act of #agia1 #cast ,george ,,iii41 chap4 #ca1 the ,canadian ,legislature1 created by the same ,act1 was invested with authority1 under certain forms1 to vary or repeal the several clauses relating to that clergy land reservation4 ,that vested right the people of ,upper ,canada possessed from #agia to #ahdj4 ,all other vested rights are subordinate to those of a whole people1 and are not to be exalted above them4 ,the ,canadian ,legislative ,assembly has proposed to secure all parties who have acquired rights or interests in the revenue arising from the sales of the clergy reserve lands during the lives of the incumbents or recipients2 but1 beyond that guarantee1 it claims the right of varying or repealing1 as it shall judge expedient1 the landed reservation in question1 and the application of the revenues arising from it4 #d4 ,the real question for consideration in ,england being thus separated from other questions with which it has sometimes been erroneously and injuriously confounded1 ,i proceed to remark that the ,imperial ,act #c and #d ,vic41 chap4 #gh1 is at variance with what the ,imperial ,governments without exception and without reservation1 for twenty-five years1 have admitted and avowed to be the constitutional rights of the people of ,canada4 ,it has at all times been admitted in the first place1 that the ,act #cast ,geo4 ,,iii41 ch4 #ca1 which created a legislature in ,canada1 and authorized the clergy land reservation1 invested the ,canadian ,legislature with authority to legislate as to its disposal1 and the application of revenues arising from it2 and secondly1 that whatever legislation might take place on the subject should be in harmony with the wishes of the ,canadian people4 ,the ,imperial ,act #c and #d ,vic41 ch4 #gh1 deprives the ,canadian people of that right of legislation which they had possessed for forty years1 and does violence to their wishes and opinions in the disposal which it makes of the revenues of the lands in question4 ,now the rights of the people of ,canada on this subject were explicitly stated by the late ,sir ,george ,murray in #ahbh1 by the ,earl of ,ripon in #ahcb1 by ,his late ,most ,gracious ,majesty in a message to the ,legislature of ,upper ,canada in #ahcc1 and by ,lord ,glenelg in #ahce and #ahcf4 ,i give a summary of the whole in the words of ,lord ,glenelg1 in a despatch to the ,lieutenant ,governor of ,upper ,canada1 dated ,december #e1 #ahce1 in reply to an attempt on the part of the latter to induce ,imperial legislation on the subject4 ,lord ,glenelg says1 in behalf of the ,imperial ,government1 that3-- ,parliamentary legislation on any subject of exclusively internal concern1 in a ,british colony possessing a representative assembly1 is as a general rule unconstitutional4 ,it is a right of which the exercise is reserved for extreme cases1 in which necessity at once creates and justifies the exception4 ,after showing that no necessity existed for setting aside the constitutional rights of the ,canadian people1 ,lord ,glenelg expresses himself in the following language of enlightened political philosophy3-- ,it is not difficult to perceive the reasons which induced ,parliament1 in #agia1 to connect with a reservation of land for ecclesiastical purposes1 the special delegation to the ,council and ,assembly of the right to vary that provision by any ,bill which1 being reserved for the signification of ,his ,majesty's pleasure1 should be communicated to both ,houses of ,parliament for six weeks before that decision was pronounced4 ,remembering1 it should seem1 how fertile a source of controversy ecclesiastical endowments had supplied throughout a large part of the ,christian world1 and how impossible it was to foretell with precision what might be the prevailing opinions and feelings of the ,canadians on this subject at a future period1 ,parliament at once secured the means of making a systematic provision for a ,protestant clergy1 and took full precaution against the eventual inaptitude of that system to the more advanced stages of a society then in its infant state1 and of which no human foresight could divine the more mature and settled judgment4 ,in the controversy1 therefore1 respecting ecclesiastical endowments1 which at present divides the ,canadian ,legislature1 ,i find no unexpected element of agitation1 the discovery of which demands a departure from the fixed principles of the constitution1 but merely the fulfilment of the anticipations of the ,parliament of #agia1 in the exhibition of that conflict of opinion for which the statute of that year may be said to have made a deliberate preparation4 ,in referring the subject to the future ,canadian ,legislature1 the authors of the ,constitutional ,act must be supposed to have contemplated the crisis at which we have now arrived--the era of warm and protracted debate1 which1 in a free government1 may be said to be a necessary precursor to the settlement of any great principle of national policy4 ,we must not have recourse to an extreme remedy1 merely to avoid the embarrassment which is the present1 though temporary1 result of our own legislation4 ,i think1 therefore1 that to withdraw from the ,canadian to the ,imperial ,legislature the question respecting the clergy reserves1 would be an infringement of that cardinal principle of colonial government which forbids parliamentary interference1 except in submission to an evident and well-established necessity4 ,in ,january1 #ahdj1 the two branches of the ,legislature of ,upper ,canada passed a ,bill 7the ,legislative ,assembly by a majority of #bh to #bj1 and the ,legislative ,council by a majority of #ac to #d7 relative to the clergy reserve--provided for the interests of their existing incumbents1 and dividing the proceeds of the sales of said lands among various religious persuasions according to a census taken once in five years1 and leaving each religious persuasion free to expend the sum or sums to which it should be entitled according to its pleasure1 whether for the support of its clergy1 the erection of places of worship1 or for purposes of education4 ,though the great majority of the people of ,upper ,canada desired the application of the proceeds of these lands for educational purposes only2 yet a majority of both branches of the ,legislature agreed to a compromise which could be defended as just to all parties1 whatever preferences might be entertained on the subject in the abstract4 ,but instead of the ,royal assent being advised to be given to that ,canadian ,bill on a local ,canadian question1 a new ,bill was introduced into the ,imperial ,parliament1 giving about three-fourths of the proceeds of the clergy reserves 7including past and future sales7 to the clergy of the churches of ,england and ,scotland1 giving nothing to any other church1 but leaving the remaining one-fourth 7or half of future sales7 at the discretionary disposal of the ,executive for religious purposes4 ,this part of the ,imperial ,act has proved inoperative to this day2 and should any religious persuasion receive any portion of this comparative pittance of the clergy land funds1 it would do so not as a matter of right 7as do the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland in receiving their lion's share71 but at and during the pleasure of any party in power--a position in which no religious community should be placed to the ,executive1 and in which the ,executive ought not to be placed to any religious community4 ,such an ,act can be justified upon no principle of justice or sound policy1 and is at variance with the almost unanimous and often recorded wishes of the people of ,upper ,canada4 ,the ,christian ,examiner--a monthly organ of the ,church of ,scotland in ,upper ,canada--expressed not only the general sentiments of the members of that ,church1 but also of people at large1 in the following words1 contained in an elaborate editorial which appeared in that publication a few months before the passing of the ,imperial ,act of #ahda3-- ,year after year1 at least during the last decade1 the general sentiment in this colony has been uttered in no unequivocal form1 that no church invested with exclusive privileges derived from the ,state1 is adapted to the condition of society among us4 ,it cannot be doubted that this is the conviction of nine-tenths of the ,colonists4 ,except among a few ambitious magnates of the ,church of ,england1 we never hear a contrary sentiment breathed4 ,equal rights upon equal conditions is the general cry4 ,and although several ,assemblymen of the present ,house have chosen to misinterpret the public voice1 and to advocate a different principle1 we doubt not that on their next appearance before their constituents1 they will be taught that this is not the age1 nor this the country1 in which the grand principle of equal rights can be departed from with impunity4 ,now1 although the ,imperial ,act of #ahdj may have induced a few magnates of the ,church of ,scotland to unite with other magnates1 whom they once considered ambitious1 in denying the grand principle of equal rights to their more numerous ,methodist brethren1 and other religious persuasions1 yet the convictions of nine-tenths of the ,canadian people remain unchanged2 nor will they1 because of the changed circumstances of a few clergymen of the ,church of ,scotland1 suffer the grand principle of equal rights to be departed from with impunity4 #e4 ,i observe1 likewise1 that the continuance of the ,imperial ,act of #ahdj is desired by a mere fraction of the ,canadian population1 while its repeal is demanded by that country at large4 ,the assertions of any interested parties on a matter of this kind are of little weight against the proceedings and statements of the representatives of the people4 ,the ,address of the ,legislative ,assembly to ,her ,majesty must be regarded as the authoritative and true expression of the opinions and wishes of the ,canadian people4 ,it is true1 there was diversity of opinion as to the manner in which the incumbents on the clergy reserve fund should be dealt with1 and also as to certain other declarations contained in the ,address of the ,assembly2 but no member of the ,canadian ,legislature ventured to justify the provisions of the ,imperial ,act1 and very few ventured to vote in favour of its continuance1 even upon the ground of expediency1 in behalf of the magnates of two favourable ,churches4 ,when the resolutions of the ,address to ,her ,majesty were moved in the ,legislative ,assembly of ,canada on this subject1 an amendment was moved by the supporters of the present exclusive privileges of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland in ,canada an amendment which contained the following words3-- ,that in the opinion of this ,house it is inexpedient to disturb or unsettle1 by resolution or enactment1 the appropriations or endowments now existing in ,upper and ,lower ,canada for religious purposes2 that the well-being of society and the growing wants of the various ,christian bodies in ,canada demand that the several provisions of the ,imperial ,act #c and #d ,vic41 cap4 #gh1 should be carried out to their fullest extent4 ,in favour of the amendment1 that is1 in favour of the continuance and operations of the ,imperial ,act of #ahdj1 voted sixteen2 against it voted fifty-two4 ,who would think of perpetuating a law in ,england at variance with the sentiments of three-fourths of the members of the ,house of ,commons1 and even of a large proportion of the constituency of ,great ,britain8 ,could the present constitution of government in ,england be maintained1 could revolution be long prevented1 if laws were retained on the statute book condemned by three-fourths of the ,commons1 and more than three-fourth of all classes of people in the land1 and those statutes involving religious questions8 ,and is that to be perpetuated in ,canada which would not be retained in ,england for a month8 #f4 ,into the origin and progress of the controversy connected with the clergy reserves1 it is needless for me to enter4 ,they are sufficiently stated in the ,address of the ,legislative ,assembly of ,canada to the ,queen1 a copy of which is herewith annexed1 together with the majorities by which each of the thirty-one clauses of the ,address was separately voted4 ,it will be seen that the first twenty-three clauses of the ,address were carried by a majority of #eb to #ah2 the #bdth clause by #ea to #bj2 the #bfth clause by #dh to #ai2 the #bgth and #bhth clauses by #dg to #bj2 the #bith clause by #cf to #cd2 the #cjth clause by #dj to #bh2 the #cast clause1 containing the prayer of the ,address1 by #de to #bc4 ,the only clause of the ,address1 therefore1 in favour of which the majority of the ,assembly was not large and decided1 was the #bith2 and in a vote to that clause1 ,i have shown that the smallness of the majority was occasioned by objections to different parts of the clause upon quite opposite grounds1 of three classes of members--the sixteen supporters of the present pre-eminence of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland1 a section of the ,roman ,catholic members1 and what in ,england would be called the extreme dissenters4 ,in the vote referred to1 ,i have explained the ground of the opposition to this clause by each of these three classes of members4 ,it will be seen that the #bith clause is rather speculative than practical1 and does not affect the character and completeness of the ,address1 every other clause of which was carried by a large majority4 ,it is1 however1 curious to remark1 that while the supporters of the present exclusive privileges of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland are indebted to the assistance of ,roman ,catholic members for the only vote in which the minority was large2 yet in ,england some of these same parties represent the ,address as having been carried chiefly by ,roman ,catholic votes1 with a view of destroying all ,protestant institutions in ,canada4 #g4 ,no enlightened and candid person can look at the religious history and social state of ,canada and desire the perpetuation of the ,imperial ,act #c and #d ,vic41 ch4 #gh4 ,it is now quite sixty years since ,upper ,canada was formed into a province with a representative government4 ,its population was then #g1jjj souls2 it is now about #gjj1jjj4 ,during the first and most eventful half of that sixty years1 the ministrations of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland can scarcely be said to have had an existence there4 ,the present ,bishop of ,toronto1 in a discourse published on the occasion of the death of the first ,canadian ,bishop of the ,church of ,england1 states that down to the close of the war between ,great ,britain and the ,united ,states in #ahae1 there were but four resident clergymen or missionaries of the ,church of ,england in all ,upper ,canada--a statement which is confirmed by the annual reports of the ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel in ,foreign ,parts2 and the same reports will show how few were the clergy of the ,church of ,england in that province down to a recent period4 ,we learn from the same authority1 that till #ahah there was but one clergyman of the ,church of ,scotland in ,upper ,canada1 and that in #ahbg there were but two4 ,it is1 therefore1 clear that during the first half of its sixty years' existence as a province1 ,upper ,canada must have been indebted almost entirely to other than clergy of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland for religious instruction2 yet during that thirty years1 it is admitted that the people of ,upper ,canada were a religious1 an intelligent1 and loyal people4 ,to whom the people of that province were mainly indebted for their religious instruction1 and for the formation and development of their religious character1 appears in a report of a ,select ,committee of the ,upper ,canada ,house of ,assembly1 appointed in #ahbh1 on the religious condition of the country1 and before which fifty witnesses1 chiefly members of the ,church of ,england1 were examined4 ,i quote the following words from the report of that ,committee1 7which was adopted by the ,assembly by a majority of #bb to #h71 a report which was partly prepared in reference to a letter addressed by the present ,bishop of ,toronto to ,his ,majesty's ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies in #ahbg3-- ,the insinuations 7says the report7 in the letter against the ,methodist clergymen1 the committee have noticed with peculiar regret4 ,to the disinterested and indefatigable exertions of these pious men this province owes much4 ,at an early period of its history1 when it was thinly settled1 and destitute of all other means of religious instruction1 these ministers of the ,gospel1 animated by ,christian zeal and benevolence1 at the sacrifice of health1 and interest1 and comfort1 carried among the people the blessings1 and consolations1 and sanctions of our holy religion4 ,their influence and instruction have been conducive in a degree which cannot be easily estimated1 to the reformation of the vicious and to the diffusion of correct morals1 the foundation of all sound loyalty and social order4 ,this religious body has now #ahj regular ministers in ,upper ,canada1 about #a1ajj churches and preaching places1 and embraces in its congregations one-seventh of the population4#acg ,yet this oldest religious community in ,upper ,canada1 together with the ,free ,presbyterian ,church of ,canada1 the ,united ,presbyterian ,church1 the ,baptists and ,congregationalists1 are treated as nobody by the ,imperial ,act1 while the more modern ,churches of ,england and ,scotland are exclusively endowed1 and that by setting aside legislative rights which the ,constitution of #agia had conferred upon the people of ,upper ,canada6 ,in ,great ,britain the ,established ,churches are associated with the early and brightest periods of ,british history1 and are blended with all the influences which distinguish and exalt ,british character2 but the feelings and predilections arising from such reminiscences and associations are not the proper rule of judgment as to the feelings1 predilections and institutions of ,canadian society4 ,as ,englishmen best know their own feelings and wants1 and claim and exercise the sole right of judging and legislating for themselves2 so do the people of ,canada best know their own wishes and interests1 and ought to judge and legislate for themselves in all local matters which do not infringe any imperial prerogative4 ,no ,englishman can refuse this who wishes to do to others as he would have others do to him4 #h4 ,but it should also be observed1 that down to the passing of the ,imperial ,act of #ahdj1 the influence of the ,church of ,scotland itself was adverse to any such act of partiality and injustice1 and in favour of applying the proceeds of the clergy reserves even to educational as well as religious purposes4 ,the discussion of this question was first introduced into the ,legislative ,assembly of ,upper ,canada in #ahbc1 by the ,hon4 ,william ,morris--a gentleman of great respectability1 and who has always been regarded and acknowledged as the guardian of the interests1 and representative of the sentiments1 of the ,church of ,scotland4 ,december #bbnd1 #ahbf1 ,mr4 ,morris moved a series of resolutions on this subject1 of which the following are the #ith and #ajth3-- #i4 ,resolved1--,that it is the opinion of a great proportion of the people of this ,province that the clergy lands1 in place of being enjoyed by the clergy of an inconsiderable part of the population1 ought to be disposed of1 and the proceeds of their sale applied to increase the provincial allowance for the support of district and common schools1 and the endowment of a provincial seminary for learning1 and in aid of erecting places of public worship for all denominations of ,christians4 ,carried by a majority of #ca to #b4 #aj4 ,resolved1 ,that it is expedient to pass a ,bill1 authorizing the sale of the clergy lands within this ,province1 for the purposes set forth in the foregoing resolution2 and to address ,his ,majesty1 humbly soliciting that he will be graciously pleased to give the royal assent to said ,bill4 ,carried by a majority of #cj to #c4 ,on the #bhth of the same month1 ,mr4 ,morris reported a draft of ,bill for the sale of the clergy reserves1 pursuant to the foregoing resolutions4 ,the ,bill passed the ,assembly by a majority of #bj to #c2 was sent to the ,legislative ,council1 and was rejected4 ,similar attempts to legislate having in like manner and from the same cause proved abortive1 another address to the ,king on this subject was adopted by the ,assembly in ,march1 #ahca1 and supported1 if not introduced1 by ,mr4 ,morris4 ,that address1 which was adopted by a majority of #cj to #g1 contains the following words3-- ,that a large majority of the inhabitants of this ,province are sincerely attached to your ,majesty's person and government1 but are averse to any exclusive or dominant ,church4 ,that this ,house feels confident that1 to promote the prosperity of this portion of your ,majesty's dominions1 and to satisfy the earnest desire of the people of this ,province1 your ,majesty will be graciously pleased to give the most favourable consideration to the wishes of your faithful subjects4 ,that1 to terminate the jealousy and dissension which have hitherto existed on the subject of the said clergy reserves--to remove a barrier to the settlement of the country1 and to provide a fund available for the promotion of education1 and in aid of erecting places of worship for various denominations of ,christians3 it is extremely desirable that the said land reserved should be sold1 and the proceeds arising from the sale of the same placed at the disposal of the ,provincial ,legislature1 to be applied exclusively for those purposes4 ,this address was replied to the ,january following1 #ahcb1 by a formal message from the ,king1 from which ,i extract the following sentences3-- ,the representations which have at different times been made to ,his ,majesty and his ,royal predecessors of the prejudice sustained by his faithful subjects in ,upper ,canada1 from the appropriation of the clergy reserves1 have engaged ,his ,majesty's most attentive consideration4444 ,it has1 therefore1 been with peculiar satisfaction that1 in his inquiries into this subject1 ,his ,majesty has found that the changes sought for by so large a portion of the inhabitants of ,upper ,canada1 may be carried into effect without sacrificing the just claims of the established ,churches of ,england and ,scotland4444 ,his ,majesty1 therefore1 invites the ,house of ,assembly of ,upper ,canada to consider how the powers given the ,provincial ,legislature by the ,constitutional ,act to vary or repeal this part of its provisions1 can be called into exercise most advantageously1 for the spiritual and temporal interests of ,his ,majesty's faithful subjects in the ,province4 ,it will be seen that the ,address to the ,crown and reply1 above quoted1 contemplated the application of no part of the proceeds of the clergy lands for the support of the clergy of any religious persuasion1 but the application of the whole to the promotion of education1 and in aid of erecting places of worship4 ,i do not make these references to advocate this view of the question1 but to show that the ,crown has long since assented to the alienation of the whole of the proceeds of the reserves from the support of the clergy of any ,church1 should the ,canadian ,legislature think proper to do so1 and that the ,church of ,scotland in ,upper ,canada agreed with the other religious persuasions1 and the great majority of the ,canadian people1 in the advocacy of such an alienation of said reserves4 ,the same parties cannot now object on constitutional and moral grounds to what they heretofore advocated on those same grounds4 #i4 ,it has1 however1 been alleged that the people of ,canada have acquiesced in the provisions of the ,imperial ,act1 and are satisfied with it4 ,at the time of passing the ,imperial ,act1 in #ahdj1 and down to within the last two years1 the discussion of questions relating to the organization and system of government itself occupied the attention of the public mind in ,canada2 but no sooner was the public mind set at rest on those paramount and fundamental questions1 than the ,canadian people demanded the restoration of their rights on the question of the clergy reserves4 ,what they have felt for two years1 and often and strongly spoken1 through the local press and at the hustings1 they now speak in the ears of the ,sovereign of the ,imperial ,parliament4 ,that there must be deep and general dissatisfaction in ,canada on this subject1 will appear from the following circumstances3 7#a7 ,the ,imperial ,act infringes the rights1 and contravenes the wishes of the ,canadian people2 7#b7 ,it inflicts an injustice and wrong upon the great majority of the religious persuasions in that country1 where the convictions of nine-tenths or rather ninety-nine one-hundredths1 of the inhabitants are in favour of equal rights upon equal conditions1 among all classes and persuasions2 7#c7 ,the ,legislative ,assembly1 by a majority of #ea to #bj1 declare that the ,imperial ,act1 so far from settling this long agitated question1 has left it to be the subject of renewed and increased public discontent2 7#d7 ,the comparative silence of the ,wesleyan body--the oldest1 the most numerous1 and the most unjustly treated1 of all the excluded denominations--is expressive and ominous4 ,its representatives1 having proceeded to ,england in #ahdj1 remonstrated against this ,bill1 then before ,parliament2 they sought the assent of ,her ,majesty's ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies to be heard at the ,bar of the ,house of ,commons against it1 and having been refused1 they presented to him1 ,july #bgth1 #ahdj1 a most earnest remonstrance against the ,bill4 ,on the ,bill becoming law1 they silently submitted1 and on grounds which were explained1 a few months since1 by the official organ of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church in ,canada1 in the following words3-- ,on ,lord ,john ,russell's ,bill becoming a law1 the question was changed from a denominational to a ,provincial one--from an ecclesiastical to a constitutional one4 ,it was no longer a question between one denomination and another1 but a question between ,upper ,canada and the ,imperial ,parliament4 ,as ,canadians1 and acting in behalf of a large section of the ,canadian community1 the representatives of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church expressed their convictions1 their feelings1 and their apprehensions to ,her ,majesty's ,government while the question was pending before ,parliament2 but when the execrable ,bill became an ,imperial ,law1 it was as much out of place for them as clergymen1 or of any religious persuasion to strive to fulfil their own predictions1 or set on foot a ,colonial civil contest1 as it would have been pusillanimous in them not to have remonstrated before the consummation of such an act of wrong against the people of ,upper ,canada4 ,the question is now being taken up in the right place1 and1 we trust1 in the right spirit4 #aj4 ,under such circumstances it is impossible that the question can long remain in its present state1 and it is for the ,imperial ,parliament to say what shall be done4 ,it is admitted upon all hands that the members of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland in ,canada are more wealthy in proportion to their numbers1 and1 therefore1 less needful of extraneous aid than the members of any other religious persuasion2 and in proportion to their numbers and wealth will be their comparative influence and advantages in the proceedings of their own ,legislature4 ,it is a grave question1 whether the ,imperial ,parliament will place itself in an attitude of hostility to the ,legislative ,assembly and people of ,canada for the sake of conferring questionable pecuniary distinctions upon the clergy of the two most wealthy denominations in that country8 ,should any members of ,parliament be disposed to pursue this course1 and hazard this experiment1 ,i beg them to pause and consider the following questions3-- 7#a7 ,can the real interests of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland themselves be advanced by occupying a position of antagonism to the acknowledged equal rights of the great majority of the people of ,canada8 ,and is it desirable that these ,churches should be the instruments and emblems of wrong to a country1 rather than natural and powerful agencies of its unity1 advancement1 and happiness8 ,interested parties in ,canada may not be able to see this1 but ,british and ,christian statesmen ought not to overlook it4 7#b7 ,ought the members of the ,churches of ,england and ,scotland1 who take a part in public affairs in ,canada1 and who may be candidates for popular power1 to be placed in circumstances in which they must either war against the position and authorities of their own ,church1 or war against all other religious persuasions1 or retire from public life altogether8 7#c7 ,what will be the natural1 or apparently inevitable1 result of thus singling out two classes of ,canadian people1 and distinguishing them from all others by pecuniary endowments1 and sustaining them in that position1 not by the free ,legislature of their own country--not by the original principles of their constitution of government to which ,canada may have pledged itself--but by a recent ,imperial ,act1 to the preparing or provisions of which the ,canadians were no parties1 and against which they protest8 ,is it likely that the will or predilections of a transatlantic ,house of ,lords1 so largely composed of and influenced by one class of ecclesiastical dignitaries1 can long determine the mutual relations of religious persuasions in a country constituted as ,canada is1 and bordering on the northern free ,anglo-,states of ,america8 ,what the ,canadians ask they ask on grounds originally guaranteed to them by their constitution2 and if they are compelled to make a choice between ,british connection and ,british constitutional rights1 it is natural that they should prefer the latter to the former8 ,it is also to be noted that the ,imperial ,act in question has to be administered through the local ,canadian administration4 ,such is the machinery of the ,act4 ,the revenue that it appropriates is ,canadian1 and it is worked through ,canadian agency--through ,canadian heads of departments1 responsible to the representatives of the people of ,canada4 ,should the ,canadian people1 then1 find that their respectful and earnest appeal to the ,imperial ,parliament1 through the ,sovereign1 is in vain1 they will naturally look to their own resources and elect representatives at the ensuing general elections who will pledge themselves to oppose the administration of the ,imperial ,act--representatives who will support no ,inspector or ,receiver-,general that will be responsible for the payment of even any warrant for moneys under such ,act4 ,the consequence must soon be1 not only injury to existing incumbents whom the ,canadian ,assembly now propose to secure1 but collision between the ,government and the ,legislative ,assembly1 and ultimately between the latter and the ,imperial authorities2 and finally1 either the establishment of military government in ,canada 7an impossibility71 or the severance of that great country from ,great ,britain4 ,on the other hand1 if the reasonable demand and constitutional rights of the people of ,canada be regarded in this question1 ,i believe ,canada will remain freely and cordially connected with the ,mother ,country for many years1 if not generations1 to come4 ,i will conclude these observations in the expressive words of ,lord ,stanley1 to the spirit of which ,i hope every ,british statesman will respond4 ,on the #bnd of ,may1 #ahbh1 in a speech on this subject1 ,lord ,stanley expressed himself in the following terms3-- ,that if any exclusive privileges be given to the ,church of ,england1 not only will the measure be repugnant to every principle of sound legislation1 but contrary to the spirit and intention of the ,act of #agia1 under which the reserves were made for the ,protestant clergy4 ,i will not enter further into it at present1 except to express my hope that the ,house will guard ,canada against the evils which religious dissensions have already produced in this country and in ,ireland1 where we have examples to teach us what to shun4 ,we have seen the evil consequences of this system at home4 ,god forbid we should not profit by experience2 and more especially in legislating for a people bordering on a country where religious intolerance and religious exclusions are unknown--a country to which ,parliament looked in passing the ,act of #agia1 as all the great men who argued the question then expressly declared4 ,it is important that ,his ,majesty's ,canadian subjects should not have occasion to look across the narrow boundary that separates them from the ,united ,states1 to see anything there to envy4 ,,footnotes3 #acg ,since the foregoing was written1 it has been ascertained that the ,wesleyan ,methodists number #adb1jjj1 or more than one-fifth of the entire population 7#ahej74 ,illustration ,,chapter ,,liv4 #ahed-ahee4 ,resignation on the ,class-,meeting ,question4--,discussion4 ,the last important connexional discussion in which ,dr4 ,ryerson was engaged was on the ,class-,meeting ,question4 ,for years he had objected1 chiefly privately1 amongst his brethren1 clerical and lay1 to making attendance at class-meeting a condition of membership in the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church of ,canada4 ,for various reasons1 few members of the ,conference desired to have the subject publicly discussed in ,conference4 ,they felt that a serious practical difficulty surrounded the question itself--difficulties which could not be surmounted by public discussion4 ,many of them also knew that in calmly discussing1 without personal feeling1 the abstract principle involved in the rule1 it would be found that their judgment and loyal feeling to the ,church would go one way1 while their uniform practice in the administration of the rule would often be at variance with both1 owing to peculiar circumstances4 ,on the other hand1 ,dr4 ,ryerson thought1 that not only should preaching and practice in this matter agree1 but that theory and practice should also agree4 ,and hence he felt that as his preaching and practice agreed in opposition to the rule1 he was not loyal to the ,church in ministering at her altars1 while he was heartily and conscientiously opposed to the fundamental rule of membership prescribed by that ,church4 ,hence1 on the #bnd of ,january1 #ahed1 he addressed the following letter to the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood1 ,president of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,conference 7,i omit extraneous matter73-- ,i hereby resign into your hands1 my membership in the ,conference1 and my office as a minister of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church--herewith enclosing my parchments of ordination1 thus taking my place among the laity of the ,church4 ,i have resolved to take this step after long and serious deliberation1 but without consulting any human being4 ,i take this step1 not because ,i do not believe that the ,wesleyan ministry is as fully authorized as the ministry of any other branch of the universal ,church1 to exercise all the functions of ,christian priesthood2 not because ,i do not as unfeignedly as ever subscribe to all the doctrines of the ,wesleyan ,church2 not because ,i do not profoundly honour the integrity and devotedness of the ,wesleyan ministry2 not because ,i do not think that ,christian discipline is as strictly1 if not more strictly1 maintained in the ,wesleyan ,church than in any other ,christian ,church in the world4 ,but ,i resign 7not my connection with1 but7 my ministerial office in the ,wesleyan ,church1 because ,i believe a condition of membership is exacted in it which has no warrant in ,scripture1 nor in the practice of the primitive ,church1 nor in the writings of ,mr4 ,wesley2 and in consequence of which condition1 great numbers of exemplary heads of families and young people are excluded from all recognition and rights of membership in the ,church4 ,i refer to attendance upon class-meeting--without attendance at which no person is acknowledged as a member of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church1 however sincerely and cordially he may believe her doctrines1 prefer her ministry1 and support her institutions1 and however exemplary he may be in his life4 ,i believe the class-meetings1 as well as love-feasts1 have been and are a means of immense good in the ,wesleyan ,church1 and that both should be employed and recommended as prudential and useful1 means of religious edification to all who may be willing to avail themselves of them4 ,but attendance at love-feast is known to be voluntary and not to be a condition of membership in the ,church2 so ,i think that attendance at class-meeting should also be voluntary1 and ought not to be exalted into an indispensable condition of membership in the ,church2 ,i am persuaded that every person who believes the doctrines1 and observes the precepts and ordinances enjoined by our ,lord and ,his ,apostles1 is eligible to membership in the ,church of ,christ1 and cannot1 on ,scriptural or ,wesleyan grounds1 be excluded from its rights and privileges upon the mere ground of his or her being unable to reconcile it to their views to take a part in the conversations of class-meetings4 ,the views thus stated1 ,i have entertained many years4 ,after having revolved the subject in my mind for some time1 ,i expressed my views on it in #ahdj and #ahda4444 ,but since my more direct connection with the youth of the country at large1 and having met with numbers of exemplary persons who prefer the ,methodist ,church to any other1 but are excluded from it by the required condition of attending class-meeting1 besides thousands of young people of ,wesleyan parents and congregations1 ,i have become more deeply than ever impressed with the importance of the question1 to which ,i referred in remarks made at the last and preceding ,conferences4 ,i had intended until within a short time to defer any decision on the step ,i now take until the next annual ,conference1 and until after bringing the question in the form of distinct propositions before the ,conference2 but1 after the best consideration in my power1 ,i have thought it advisable to resign my office in the ,church at the present time--fearing the revival and results of unpleasantnesses from my bringing the question formally before the ,conference1 444 and from a deep conviction that ,i should no longer delay taking the most effectual means in my power to draw the attention of the ministry and members of the ,wesleyan ,church to this anomaly in her ,disciplinary regulations1 and secure1 if possible1 to tens of thousands of persons the rights and privileges of membership in that branch of the ,church of ,christ which they prefer--rights and privileges to which ,i am persuaded they are justly entitled upon both ,scriptural and ,wesleyan grounds4 ,i do not think it is honest or right for a man to hold the office of a minister in a ,church1 all whose essential regulations1 as well as doctrines1 he cannot justify and recommend4 ,i say essential regulations2 for there may be many regulations and practices in a ,church of which a minister may not approve1 and the existence of which he may deplore1 but which would not prevent him from maintaining1 as usual1 his relations and course of labour4 ,an enlightened ,christian mind can and will1 without any compromise of principle1 allow a wide latitude in modes of proceeding1 and in matters of opinion1 taste1 and prudence4 ,but a regulation which determines who shall and who shall not be recognized as members of the ,church of ,christ1 involves a vital question1 the importance of which cannot be overrated1 and which must be determined by ,divine ,revelation1 and not by mere conventional rules4 ,now1 while as an individual ,i may value and wish to attend1 as far as possible1 all prudential as well as instituted means of grace in our ,church1 ,i cannot as a teacher1 by word or office1 declare that all persons who will not attend class-meetings1 in addition to observing all the ordinances of ,christ1 should be rejected and excluded from the ,christian ,church4 ,i cannot say so--,i cannot think so--,i cannot believe it ,scriptural or right1 in respect to great numbers of estimable persons1 and of the sons and daughters of our people1 who believe ,wesleyan doctrines1 who respect and love the ,wesleyan ministry1 support ,wesleyan institutions1 are exemplary in their lives1 and who wish to be members of the ,wesleyan ,church1 but who1 from education1 or mental constitution1 or other circumstances1 cannot face much less enjoy1 the developments and peculiarities of the class-meeting4 ,i have met and sympathized with many who have sought to reconcile their views and feelings to the personal speakings and communications of class-meetings1 but who could not succeed2 and not being allowed otherwise to enjoy the privileges of membership in the ,wesleyan ,church1 were driven to seek admission into some other ,christian communion4 ,our ,lord and ,his ,apostles have prescribed no form of religious communion but the ,lord's ,supper4 ,the ,new ,testament meetings of ,christian fellowship1 in which the early ,christians edified one another1 are appropriately adduced as the exemplars of ,wesleyan love-feasts--that voluntary and useful means of religious edification4 ,but it is remarkable that a person may neither attend love-feast nor the ,lord's ,supper1 and yet retain his membership in the ,wesleyan ,church1 while he is excluded from it if he does not attend class-meeting1 though he may attend both the ,lord's ,supper and love-feast1 as well as the preaching of the word and meetings for prayer4 ,nay1 ,i find in the latter part of the section of our ,discipline on ,class ,meetings1 that the minister in charge of a circuit is required to exclude all those members of the ,church who wilfully and repeatedly neglect to meet their class1 but to state at the time of their exclusion1 that they are laid aside for a breach of our rules of ,discipline1 and not for immoral conduct4 ,i know of no ,scriptural authority to exclude any person from the ,church of ,christ on earth1 except for that which would exclude him from the kingdom of glory1 namely1 immoral conduct4 ,but here is an express requirement for the exclusion of persons from the ,wesleyan ,church for that which it is admitted is not immoral conduct1 namely1 neglect of class-meeting4 ,this is certainly going beyond ,scriptural authority and example4 ,i have said that ,i do not regard as ,wesleyan1 or having the sanction of ,mr4 ,wesley1 the making attendance at class-meeting an essential condition of membership in the ,church of ,christ4 ,mr4 ,wesley declared that the sole object of his labours was1 not to form a new sect1 but to revive religion in the ,church and in the nation2 that each class was a voluntary society in the ,church1 but was no more a separate ,church organization than a ,bible ,society1 or ,temperance ,society1 or ,young ,men's ,christian ,association1 is a separate ,church organization4 ,nor did ,mr4 ,wesley regard the admission of persons into1 or exclusion from1 any one of his societies as affecting1 in the slightest degree1 such person's ,church membership4 ,nay1 ,mr4 ,wesley insisted that all who joined his societies1 in addition to attending class-meeting1 and the ministrations of his preachers1 should regularly attend the services and sacraments of the ,church of ,england4 ,in his sermon ,on ,attending ,church ,service1 ,mr4 ,wesley says1 it was one of our original rules1 that every member of our society should attend the church and sacrament1 unless he had been bred among ,christians of another denomination4 ,in his ,tract1 entitled ,principles of a ,methodist ,further ,explained1 7written in reply to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,church17 ,mr4 ,wesley says3-- ,the ,united ,society was originally so called1 because it consisted of several smaller societies united together4 ,when any member of these1 or of the ,united ,society1 are proved to live in known sin1 we then mark and avoid them3 we separate ourselves from every one that walks disorderly4 ,sometimes if the case be judged infectious 7though rarely7 this is decided openly2 but this you style excommunication1 and say1 does not every one see a separate ecclesiastical communion8 ,mr4 ,wesley replies3-- ,no4 ,this society does not separate from the rest of the ,church of ,england4 ,they continue steadfast with them both in the apostolical doctrine1 and in breaking of bread1 and in prayers4 ,and in further reply to the charge1 that in excluding disorderly persons from his society1 he was usurping a power committed to the higher order of the clergy1 ,mr4 ,wesley says3-- ,no2 not in the power of excluding members from a private society1 unless on the supposition of some such rule as ours is1 viz43 ,that if a man separate from the church1 he is no longer a member of our society4 ,these passages 7from scores of similar ones in ,mr4 ,wesley's works71 are sufficient to shew what ,mr4 ,wesley understood and intended by admission into1 or exclusion from1 any one of his societies--that it did not in the least affect the relations of any person to the ,church of which he was a member4 ,now1 the rule which ,mr4 ,wesley imposed as a condition of membership in a private society in a ,church1 we impose as a condition of membership in the ,church itself4 ,it is also worthy of remark1 that attendance at class-meeting is not required of members in the general rules of the society--those very rules which our ministers are required to give to persons proposing to join the ,wesleyan ,church4 ,in those rules no mention is made of class-meeting1 nor is it there required that each member shall meet the leader1 much less meet him in a class-meeting1 in the presence of many others2 but that the leader shall see each person in his class1 and meet the minister and stewards once a week4 ,yet1 by constant and universal practice1 we have transferred the obligation from the leader to the member1 and made it the duty of the latter 7on pain of excommunication71 to meet the former in class-meeting2 an obligation which is nowhere enjoined in the general rules4 ,in those rules it is said3 ,there is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies--a desire to flee from the wrath to come1 and to be saved from their sins4 ,the rules then truly state1 that wherever this desire is really fixed in the soul1 it will be known by its fruits4 ,these fruits are briefly but fully set forth under three heads4 7#a7 ,by doing no harm4 7#b7 ,by doing good4 7#c7 ,by attending all the ordinances of ,god3 such as1 the public worship of ,god2 the ministry of the word1 either read or expounded2 the ,supper of the ,lord2 family and private prayer2 searching the ,scriptures1 and fasting or abstinence4 ,these are the general rules of our societies1 all of which we are taught of ,god to observe1 even in ,his written word1 which is the only rule1 and the sufficient rule1 both of faith and practice4 ,now1 neither class-meeting nor love-feast is mentioned among the ordinances of ,god enumerated in the general rules of the society2 nor is it mentioned in ,mr4 ,wesley's ,large ,minutes of ,conference among the instituted means of grace4 ,so far as the general rules themselves are concerned1 there is nothing which makes attendance at class-meeting a condition of membership1 even in ,mr4 ,wesley's societies as he originally instituted them2 nor did the idea of holding class-meetings at all occur to ,mr4 ,wesley until after the general rules were drawn up and published4#ach ,but what was not required by the general rules soon became a condition of membership in another way--this was by the system of giving tickets4 ,mr4 ,wesley says in his ,plain ,account of ,people called ,methodists3 ,as the society increased1 ,i found it required still greater care to separate the precious from the vile4 ,in order to this1 ,i determined1 at least once in three months1 to talk with every member myself1 and to inquire at their own mouth1 as well as of their leaders and neighbours1 whether they grew in grace and in the knowledge of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,to each of those whose seriousness and good conversation ,i had no reason to doubt1 ,i gave a testimony under my own hand1 by writing their name on a ticket prepared for that purpose4 ,those who bore these tickets1 wherever they came1 were acknowledged by their brethren1 and were received with all cheerfulness4 ,these tickets also supplied us with a quiet and inoffensive method of removing any disorderly member4 ,he has no ticket at the quarterly visitation 7for so often the tickets are changed72 and hereby it is immediately known that he is no longer of the community4 ,it was at length required by a minute of the ,conference1 7as our own discipline enjoins17 that a preacher should not give a ticket of membership to any person who did not meet in class4 ,in our own ,discipline1 in the section on class-meetings1 will also be found the following question and answer3-- ,question4--,what shall be done with those members of our church who wilfully and repeatedly neglect their class8 ,answer4--#a4 ,let the chairman1 or one of the preachers1 visit them whenever it is practicable1 and explain to them the consequence if they continue to neglect1 viz41 exclusion4 #b4 ,if they do not attend1 let him who has charge of the circuit exclude them 7in the church71 showing that they are laid aside for a breach of our rules of discipline1 and not for immoral conduct4 ,by this added ministerial authority and duty1 a condition of membership in the society is imposed which is not contained in the ,general ,rules1 and which subjects a member to exclusion1 for that which is acknowledged to be not immoral conduct4 ,this appears a strange regulation in even a private religious society within a ,church2 but no objection could be reasonably made to any such regulation in such a society1 if its members desired it1 and as it would not affect their ,church membership4 ,but the case is essentially different1 when such society in a ,church becomes a ,church1 and exercises the authority of admitting into1 and excluding from the ,church itself1 and not merely a society in the ,church4 ,in ,england1 and especially in the ,united ,states and ,canada1 the ,wesleyan ,societies have become a ,church4 ,i have repeatedly shewn in past years1 that they have become organized into a ,church upon both ,wesleyan and scriptural grounds4 ,i believe the ,wesleyan ,church in ,canada is second to no other in the scriptural authority of its ministry and organization4 ,believing this1 ,i believe that exclusion from the ,wesleyan ,church 7either by expulsion or refusal of admission7 is exclusion from a branch of the ,church of ,god--is an act the most solemn and eventful in the history and relations of any human being--an act which should never take place except upon the clear and express authority of the word of ,god4 ,far be it from me to say one word other than in favour of every kind of religious exercise and communion which tends to promote the spiritual-mindedness1 brotherly love1 and fervent zeal of professing ,christians4 ,that class-meetings 7notwithstanding occasional improprieties and abuses attending them71 have been a valuable means in promoting the spirituality and usefulness of the ,wesleyan ,church1 no one acquainted with her history can for a moment doubt2 and ,i believe that myriads on earth and in heaven have1 and will ever have1 reason for devout thankfulness and praise for the benefits derived from class-meetings1 as well as from love-feasts and meetings for prayer4 ,but attendance upon the two latter is voluntary on the part of the members of the ,wesleyan ,church2 and what authority is there for suspending their very membership in the ,church of ,god on their attendance upon the former8 ,the celebration of the ,lord's ,supper1 and not class-meeting1 was the binding characteristic institution upon the members of the primitive ,church4 ,so ,i am persuaded it should be now2 and that ,christian faith and practice alone 7and not the addition of attendance upon class-meeting17 should be the test of worthiness for its communion and privileges4 ,while1 therefore1 as an individual ,i seek to secure and enjoy all the benefits of the faithful ministrations and scriptural ordinances of the ,wesleyan ,church1 ,i cannot occupy a position which in itself1 and by its duties requires me to enforce or justify the imposition of a condition of membership in the ,church of ,christ1 which ,i believe is not required by the ,holy ,scriptures1 and the exclusion of thousands of persons from ,church membership and privileges1 to which ,i believe they have as valid a right as ,i have1 and that upon the sole ground of their non-attendance at a meeting1 the neglect of which our own ,discipline admits1 does not involve immoral conduct1 and which ,mr4 ,wesley himself1 in his ,plain ,account of the ,people called ,methodists1 has declared to be merely prudential1 not essential1 not of divine institution4 ,it is passing strange1 that while the ,wesleyan ,church is the avowed friend of all and enemy of none--is the most ,catholic of any ,protestant body towards other religious communions--she should close the door of admission into her own fold even to attendance upon class-meeting4 ,i regard it as the misfortune rather than the dishonour of the ,wesleyan ,church1 that she repels thousands that seek her communion rather than relax this term of admission4 ,if her success has been so great under disadvantages unparalleled1 ,i cannot but believe1 that1 with the same divine blessing1 and upon a basis of membership less narrow and more scriptural1 the ,wesleyan ,church1 would1 beyond all precedent1 increase her usefulness1 and enlarge her borders4 ,i will not permit myself to dwell upon associations and recollections which cannot be expressed in words1 any more than they can be obliterated from the memory1 or effaced from the heart4 ,though ,i retire from councils in the deliberations of which ,i have been permitted to take a part during more than twenty-five years1 and relinquish all claims upon funds to which ,i have contributed for a like period1 ,i should still deem it my duty and privilege to pray for the success of the former1 and continue my humble contributions to the latter2 while ,i protest in the most emphatic way in my power against shutting the doors of the church upon thousands to whom ,i believe they should be opened1 and against making that essential and divine1 which1 as ,mr4 ,wesley says1 is merely prudential1 not essential1 not of divine institution4 ,i hope the day is not remote when the ,wesleyan ,church will be as scriptural in her every term of membership as she is in her doctrines of grace and labours of love4 ,to this letter of resignation1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood1 ,president of the ,conference1 replied on the #dth of ,january3-- ,to accept the enclosed documents would be assuming a responsibility at variance with my judgment and affections4 ,if the proposal you make of withdrawing from the ,methodist ministry be ever received1 it must be with the concurrence of the collective ,conference2 or1 should the question require immediate attention1 that of its executive committee4 ,i shall be glad to see the enactment of any regulation which will promote the usefulness of our ,church to the benefit of a large and intelligent class of adherents now receiving no recognition beyond their contributions to our institutions2 and also the adoption of practical measures by which the youth baptized by ,wesleyan ministers may be more personally cared for1 and affiliated to our ordinances4 ,your distinguished ability and matured experience eminently qualify you as a safe legislator and counsellor on such grave questions1 which by some cannot be separated from ancient usages greatly blessed to the growing spirituality of true believers1 without injury to the vital character of the ,church4 ,after so long and useful a career1 your separation from our ,conference and work would be a connexional calamity4 ,you stand among the few in ,canada to whom the present independent and legal position of the ,wesleyan ,church stands deeply indebted4 ,future generations of ministers and people will partake1 imperceptibly to themselves1 of the advantages a few of the more gifted and noble-minded brethren struggled and contended for against so many obstacles4 ,you are as capable of remedying anything wrong1 or supplying anything wanting within the ,church1 as you were many years ago1 to overcome impediments to her usefulness without4 ,nothing further was done in the matter until at the ,belleville ,conference of #ahed ,dr4 ,ryerson moved the following resolution3-- #a4 ,that no human authority has a right to impose any condition of membership in the visible ,church of ,christ1 which is not enjoined by1 or may be concluded from the ,holy ,scriptures4 #b4 ,that the ,general ,rules of the ,united ,societies of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church being formed upon the ,holy ,scriptures1 and requiring nothing of any member which is not necessary for admission into the kingdom of grace and glory1 ought to be maintained inviolate as the religious and moral standard of profession1 conduct and character1 in regard to all who are admitted or continued members of our church4 #c4 ,that the power1 therefore1 of expelling persons from the visible ,church of ,christ1 for other than a cause sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and glory1 which the fourth question1 and answers to it1 contained in the second section of the second chapter of our ,discipline1 confer and enjoin upon our ministers1 is unauthorized by the ,holy ,scriptures1 is inconsistent with the ,scriptural rights of the members of ,christ's ,church1 and ought not to be assumed or exercised by any minister of our ,church4 #d4 ,that the anomalous question and answers referred to in the foregoing resolution1 be1 and are hereby expunged from our ,discipline and are required to be omitted in printing the next edition of it4 7,see page #dgg47 ,these resolutions having been negatived by a considerable majority on the #abth ,june1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to the ,president3 ,the decision of the ,conference this afternoon on the scriptural rights of the members of our ,church1 and the power of our ministers in respect to them1 makes it at length my painful duty to request you to lay before the ,conference the letter which ,i addressed to you the #bnd of last ,january1 and that you will consider that letter as now addressed to the ,conference through you4 ,i hereby again enclose you my parchments of ordination4 ,i propose to do all in my power to promote those important measures in regard to the college and means for the regular training of received candidates for the ministry which have been recommended by the ,conference4 ,i cannot attempt to add anything more to what is contained in my letter of the #bnd ,january1 expressive of what ,i feel on the present occasion1 except to say that1 although ,i gave no intimation during the discussion of the result of the decision on this subject upon my own official relations to the ,conference1 ,i retire from it with feelings of undiminished respect and affection for my ,reverend ,brethren1 and my earnest prayer for their welfare and usefulness4 ,in reply to this letter ,dr4 ,wood said3-- ,the purpose you aim to accomplish can be effectually secured by a different resolution to that introduced yesterday2 if you will stay and hear what the brethren may say about the appointment of a large committee to take up this subject before ,i lay your resignation before them1 ,i shall feel much gratified4 ,i again say1 ,i look upon your proposed withdrawal with deep sorrow1 and must say1 ,i cannot bring myself to believe that on such grounds you can be justified in taking so serious a step4 ,dr4 ,ryerson did attend the ,conference as suggested1 after which he wrote to ,dr4 ,wood3-- ,i listened with delight and hope to the observations and recommendations which you made4 ,i anticipated happy results from the appointment of the very large committee which you nominated1 and which might be considered as representing the sentiments and feelings of the ,conference4 ,but from the lengthened meeting of that committee1 in the evening1 it was clear that no disposition existed to modify the power of ministers to expel persons from the ,church for non-attendance at a meeting which1 in the #abth section1 chap4 #ast1 page #dg1 of our own ,discipline1 taken from the writings of ,mr4 ,wesley1 is declared to be prudential1 even among ,methodists--that thus the highest and most awful penalty that the ,church can inflict--a penalty analagous to capital punishment in the administration of civil law--is to be executed upon members of the ,church for the omission of what our own ,discipline does not exalt to the rank of a prudential means of grace among ,christians1--only among ,methodists4 ,it was also clear that views of baptism prevailed 7,i cannot say how widely7 at variance with the #agth ,article of ,faith in our ,discipline1#aci and altogether opposite to those set forth by ,mr4 ,wesley in his sermons and in his ,treatise on ,baptism4 ,but that for which ,i was not prepared 7which ,i supposed to have been settled1 and which ,i therefore assumed71 was the obviously prevalent opinion against the ,church membership of children baptized by our ministry4 ,it will be recollected that ,i had not proposed any other condition or mode of admitting persons into our ,church from without1 than that which already exists amongst us2 but ,i urged in behalf of both parents and children1 the practical recognition of the rights and claims of children who were admitted and acknowledged as members of the ,church by baptism1 as implied in our ,form of ,baptism1 and according to our ,catechism1 and according to what the ,conference unanimously declared at ,hamilton1 in #ahec1 our ,church holds to be among the privileges of baptized persons1--namely1 that they are made members of the visible ,church of ,christ4 ,persons cannot1 of course1 be members of the visible ,church of ,christ without becoming members of some visible branch or section of it2 and it is not pretended that children baptized by our ministry are members of any other visible portion of the ,church of ,christ than the ,wesleyan4 ,to deny1 therefore1 that the baptized children of our people are members of our ,church1 and that they should be acknowledged as such1 and as such be impressed with their obligations and privileges1 and as such be prepared for1 and brought into1 the spiritual communion and fellowship of the ,church1 on coming to the years of accountability1 is1 it appears to me1 to make the ,sacrament of ,baptism a nullity1 and to disfranchise thousands of children of divinely chartered rights and privileges4 ,mr4 ,wesley1 in his ,treatise on ,baptism1 in stating the third benefit of baptism1 remarks3-- ,by baptism we are admitted into the ,church1 and consequently made members of ,christ1 its ,head4 ,the ,jews were admitted into the ,church by circumcision1 so are the ,christians by baptism4 ,mr4 ,wesley1 speaking of the proper subjects of baptism1 says3 ,if infants are capable of making a covenant1 and were and still are under the evangelical covenant1 then they have a right to baptism1 which is the entering seal thereof4 ,but infants are capable of making a covenant1 and were and still are under the evangelical covenant4 ,the custom of nations and common reason of mankind prove that infants may enter into a covenant1 and may be obliged by compacts made by others in their name1 and receive advantage by them4 ,but we have stronger proof than this1 even ,god's own word3 ,ye stand this day all of you before the ,lord1--your captains1 with all the men of ,israel2 your little ones1 your wives1 and the stranger1--that thou shouldst enter into covenant with the ,lord thy ,god4--,deut4 xxix4 #aj-ab4 ,now1 ,god would never have made a covenant with little children1 if they had not been capable of it4 ,it is not said children only1 but little children1 the ,hebrew word properly signifying infants4 ,and these may be still1 as they were of old1 obliged to perform1 in aftertime1 what they are not capable of performing at the time of their entering into that obligation4 ,the infants of believers1 the true children of faithful ,abraham1 always were under the ,gospel covenant4 ,they were included in it1 they had a right to it1 and to the seal of it2 as an infant heir has a right to his estate1 though he cannot yet have actual possession4--,vol4 x41 ,english ,edition1 pp4 #aic1 #aid4 ,vol4 vi41 ,american ,edition1 pp4 #af1 #ag4 ,again1 ,mr4 ,wesley's third argument on this subject is so clear1 so touching1 and so conclusive1 that ,i will quote it without abridgement1 as follows3-- ,if infants ought to come to ,christ1 if they are capable of admission into the ,church of ,god1 and consequently of solemn sacramental dedication to ,him1 then they are proper subjects of baptism4 ,but infants are capable of coming to ,christ1 of admission into the ,church1 and solemn dedication to ,god4 ,that infants ought to come to ,christ1 appears from his own words3 ,they brought little children to ,christ1 and the disciples rebuked them4 ,and ,jesus said1 ,suffer little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not2 for of such is the kingdom of heaven4--,matt4 xix4 #ac1 #ad4 ,st4 ,luke expresses it still more strongly3 ,they brought unto him even infants1 that he might touch them4--xviii4 #ae4 ,these children were so little1 that they were brought to him2 yet he says1 ,suffer them to come unto me3 so little1 that he took them up in ,his arms2 yet he rebukes those who would have hindered their coming to ,him4 ,and his command respected the future as well as the present4 ,therefore ,his disciples or ministers are still to suffer infants to come1 that is1 to be brought1 unto ,christ4 ,but they cannot now come to ,him1 unless by being brought into the ,church2 which cannot be but by baptism4 ,yea1 and of such1 says our ,lord1 is the kingdom of heaven2 not of such only as were like these infants4 ,for if they themselves were not fit to be subjects of that kingdom1 how could others be so1 because they were like them8 ,infants1 therefore1 are capable of being admitted into the ,church1 and have a right thereto4 ,even under the ,old ,testament they were admitted into it by circumcision4 ,and can we suppose they are in a worse condition under the ,gospel1 than they were under the law8 and that our ,lord would take away any privilege which they then enjoyed8 ,would ,he not rather make additions to them8 ,this1 then1 is a third ground4 ,infants ought to come to ,christ1 and no man ought to forbid them4 ,they are capable of admission into the ,church of ,god4 ,therefore they are proper subjects of baptism4--,vol4 x41 ,english ,edition1 pp4 #aie1 #aif4 ,vol4 vi41 ,american ,edition1 pp4 #ag1 #ah4 ,upon these ,wesleyan and ,scriptural grounds1 ,i believe that the promise and privileges of membership in the ,church belong to the baptized children of our people as well as to their parents2 that the parents have a right to claim this relationship and its privileges for their children until such children are excluded from the ,church by the lawful acts of its executive authorities4 ,otherwise1 the youth baptized by our ministry are in the most pitiful and degrading religious position of the youth of any ,church that recognizes the doctrine of infant baptism2 and it appears to me that we ought rather not to baptize infants at all1 or recommend their parents to take them to other churches for baptism1 than thus to treat the feelings of such parents1 and to regard their children as having no more membership and privileges in our ,church than the rest of the youth of the land1 or even the world at large4 ,it is happily true1 that many of the children of our people1 as well as those of other people1 are converted and brought into the ,church under the faithful ministrations of the ,word2 but how many ten thousand more of them would never wander from the ,church1 would more easily and more certainly be led to experience all the power of inward religion and the blessings of ,christian fellowship1 were they acknowledged in their true position and rights1 and taught the significancy1 and obligation1 and privilege of all that the outward ordinances and their visible relations involve were intended to confer4 ,it ought to make a ,christian heart bleed to think that our largest increase of members1 according to returns over which we are disposed to congratulate ourselves1 falls vastly short of the natural increase of population in our own community1 apart from the increase of the population of the country at large1 and1 therefore1 that perhaps five or more persons are sent out into the world1 as worldlings1 from the families of our ,church1 while one is retained or brought into it from the world by all our ministrations and agencies4 ,the prophets did not deny to a ,jew his membership in the ,jewish ,church1 in order to make him a ,jew inwardly4 ,mr4 ,wesley did not un-church the tens of thousands of baptized members of the ,church of ,england to whom he successfully preached salvation by faith3 he made their state1 and duties1 and privileges1 as baptized members of the ,church of ,christ1 the grounds of his appeals2 and this vantage ground was one great means of his wonderful success4 ,but ,i will not enlarge4 ,i will only add1 that as in former years1 ,i1 with others1 maintained what we believed to be the rights of ,canada and of our ,canadian ,church against pretensions which have long since been withdrawn1 and the erroneous information and impressions connected with which have long since been removed2 so1 ,i now feel it my duty to do what ,i can to secure and maintain the ,scriptural and ,wesleyan rights of members of our ,church against the exercise of ministerial authority which has no warrant in ,scripture nor in the writings of ,mr4 ,wesley2 and ,i feel myself specially called upon by my position in respect to the youth of the country1 as well as by my strong convictions1 to claim and insist upon the ,scriptural and ,wesleyan rights of church membership in behalf of the many thousands of children baptized by our ministry--believing upon both ,scriptural and ,wesleyan grounds1 it is due to such children and to their parents4 ,i have no object in view1 beyond what is avowed in this correspondence4 ,if ,i have had any personal ambition1 it has been more than satisfied both in the ,church and in the country at large4 ,i have nothing more to seek or desire1 than to employ the short and uncertain time that remains to me in striving to become more and more meet for the intercourse of the saints in light1 to mature and promote for my native country the great educational system in which ,i am engaged1 and to secure to all members of our ,church1 and to all parents and children baptized into it1 what ,i am persuaded are their sacred rights and privileges4 ,i am satisfied that ,scriptural and ,wesleyan truth will1 as heretofore1 prevail1 and that the ,conference and the ,church will yet rejoice in it1 however it may1 for the moment1 be clouded by error and misrepresentation1 or impeded by personal feelings1 groundless fears1 or mistaken prejudice4 ,on the #acth ,june ,dr4 ,ryerson made a request to the ,conference that the documents connected with his resignation be published in the ,guardian4 ,he said3-- ,i wish the church to know the reasons which have influenced me on this occasion--especially as ,i believe them to be both ,wesleyan and ,scriptural4 ,as ,i have for thirty years contributed to all the funds of the preachers and ,church1 without receiving or expecting to receive a farthing from them1 and from the period and kinds of labours ,i have performed in the ,church1 and from my wish to live in connexion with it1 ,i think my letters of resignation might at least not be withheld from the members of our ,church4 ,if any expense attend the publication of the correspondence between us1 ,i will defray every farthing of it4 ,i do not think any other member of the ,conference is called upon to do as ,i have done--my circumstances being peculiar4 ,but ,i do not wish to be wronged and blackened by misrepresentations2 ,i only desire that my brethren and old friends through the land may be permitted and enabled to read my own reasons and views on this the last occasion of my official intercourse with them4#adj ,this request was denied1 so that ,dr4 ,ryerson published the documents in a pamphlet himself4 ,in doing so he said3-- ,a more vitally important and deeply affecting subject can scarcely be laid before the ,wesleyan community2 but in order to present it to the pious judgment of that body at large1 ,i have had no other alternative than to assume the position ,i now sustain--otherwise being compelled to observe1 as in past years1 a strict silence beyond the walls of the ,conference room4 ,but from what ,i have witnessed and heard in that room1 ,i appeal to the calm consideration of the intelligent and devout members of the ,wesleyan ,church1 either in their closets with their ,bible before them1 or at their firesides with their children around them4 ,whether ,i have or have not overrated the importance of the question1 ,i leave everyone to decide after reading the following correspondence4 ,it will be seen that the question is not one of a personal nature--is not one which ought to excite any unkind feeling between persons who may take different views of it4 ,the question is as to whether1 on the ,wesleyan ,conference assuming the position and functions of a distinct and independent ,church1 a condition of membership has not been imposed which is a departure from the principles of ,mr4 ,wesley and the doctrine and practice of the ,apostolic and ,primitive ,church--a condition which ignores the church relation1 rights and privileges of the baptized children of the ,wesleyan body1 and excludes thousands from its membership upon unscriptural and un-,wesleyan grounds4 ,it will be seen by an extract on page #bj1 that ,mr4 ,wesley's disciplinary object in giving quarterly tickets was1 to separate the precious from the vile1 to remove any disorderly member2 but in vain have ,i sought for an instance of ,mr4 ,wesley ever excluding1 even from his private societies in a ,church1 an upright and orderly member for mere non-attendance at class-meeting4 ,that1 however1 he might have consistently done in a society in a ,church1 if he had thought it expedient to do so1 as it would not have affected the membership of any parties in the ,church to which they belonged4 ,the three paragraphs of our ,discipline1 containing three sentences against which ,i protest1 had no place in the ,minutes of ,conference finally revised and printed by ,mr4 ,wesley in the year of his death2 nor do they exist in the ,minutes of the ,british ,conference to this day4 ,from what is therefore modern and unauthorized by ,scripture1 by the practice of the ,primitive ,church1 or by ,mr4 ,wesley1 ,i go back to first principles1 and say1 as did ,mr4 ,wesley to ,dr4 ,coke and ,mr4 ,asbury1 when he sent them to organize the ,societies in ,america into a ,church1 let us simply follow the ,scriptures and the ,primitive ,church4 ,it is often said that nobody objects to attending class-meeting except those who have no religion4 ,persons who thus judge of others show more of the ,pharisaical1 than of the ,christian1 spirit1 and evince but little of the wisdom that cometh from above in thus measuring others by themselves4 ,the following correspondence shows that ,i am second to none in my appreciation of the value and usefulness of class meetings2 but ,i have had too much experience not to know that the best talkers in a class-meeting are not always the best livers in the world2 and ,i attach less importance to what a person may say of himself in a class-meeting1 than to uprightness in his dealings1 integrity in his word1 meekness in his temper1 charity in his spirit1 liberality in his contributions1 blamelessness in his life4 ,doings1 rather than sayings1 are the rule of ,divine judgment4444 ,it may not be improper for me to observe1 that there are ministers who loudly advocate attendance at class-meeting as a ,church-law1 and yet do not observe that law themselves perhaps once a year1 much less habitually1 as they insist in respect to private members2 and the most strenuous of such advocates pay no heed to the equally positive prohibitions and requirements of the discipline in several other respects1 especially in regard to band-meetings1 which were designed1 as the ,discipline expressly states1 to obey that command of ,god1 'confess your faults one to another1 and pray for one another1 that ye may be healed4' ,i am far from intimating1 or believing1 that there are many advocates of class-meeting tests of this description4 ,but history shows1 from our ,lord to the present time1 that the most vehement advocates for the mint1 annise and cummin of particular tests and forms1 are not proportionably zealous for the weightier matters of the law4 ,it is easier for men to impose and enforce law upon others than to observe it themselves4 ,but when a man's words and actions contradict each other1 the argument of his actions is the more forcible1 as well as the more honest and sincere4 ,it has likewise been alleged1 that if attendance at class-meeting be not made a church-law1 and the capital punishment of expulsion be not attached to its violation1 class-meetings will fall into disuse4 ,i answer1 this is beside the question4 ,the question is1 whether there is such a law in the ,bible8 ,has our ,lord or ,his ,apostles given authority to any conclave or conference to make such a law8 ,our ,lord and the ,apostles knew better than their followers what was essential to membership in the ,christian ,church1 as well as what was essential to its existence and prosperity4 ,i may also observe1 that if the existence of class-meetings cannot be maintained except by the terror of the scorpion-whip1 or rather executioner's sword1 of expulsion from the church1 it says little for them as a privilege1 or place of delightful and joyous resort4 ,my own conviction is1 that if class-meetings1 like love-feasts1 were maintained and recommended as a privilege and useful means of religious edification1 and not as a law1 the observance of which is necessary to membership in the visible ,church of ,christ1 but made voluntary1 like joining the ,missionary ,society1 class-meetings would be more efficient and useful than they are now1 and attendance at them would be more cordial and profitable1 if not as1 or even more1 general4 ,but what might be or not be in any supposed case1 is foreign to a question as to what is enjoined in the law and testimony of the ,holy ,scriptures as essential to discipleship with ,christ4 ,it is well known that meeting in class1 by a large portion of the members of the ,wesleyan ,church1 is very irregular--that their absence from class-meeting is the general rule of their practice1 and their attendance the exception4 ,yet such persons are not excluded1 as it would involve the expulsion of the greater part of the members of the body1 including several of its ministers4 ,it is1 therefore1 so much the more objectionable1 and so much the more wrong1 to have a rule which ignores at one sweep the membership of all the baptized children of the body1 which sends and keeps away the conscientious and straightforward1 who would not think of joining a religious community without intending habitually to observe all its rules1 and yet1 after all1 habitually disregarded by a large portion of both preachers and people1 and is made1 as far as my observation goes1 an instrument of gratifying individual hostility1 rather than a means of promoting the religious and moral ends of ,christian discipline4 ,it is1 however1 the bearing of this question upon the relationship and destinies of the youth of the ,wesleyan body that has most deeply impressed and affected my own mind1 as may be inferred from the correspondence on the subject4 ,it requires less scriptural zeal1 and an inferior order of qualifications1 and it is much more exciting and easy1 to minister or attend at special meetings1 and in the ordinary public services of the ,church1 than to pursue in season and out of season the less conspicuous and more detailed labour of teaching and training up children and youth in the knowledge and experience of the doctrines of ,christ1 and thus secure them to the ,church1 and to the ,saviour1 and secure to them the godliness which has the promise of the life that now is1 and of that which is to come4#ada ,and what is the result of the general adoption 7with a few fine exceptions71 of the former in preference to the latter--instead of the union of both8 ,it is the humiliating and most painful fact that the great majority of ,methodist youth are lost to the ,church1 if not lost to ,christ and to heaven--that in a large proportion of instances1 ,methodism is not perpetuated to the second generation of the same family--that in the great majority of instances it is only so perpetuated very partially1 and in very few instances to all the children of ,methodist parents2 while there is each year the conversion of only a few hundreds1 or thousands1 mostly from without4 ,the return of prodigals1 and the accession of strangers and aliens to the body1 are indeed causes of thankfulness and rejoicing2 but prevention is better than cure--piety from childhood is better than reformation in manhood4 ,the judgment of the ,apostle upon him who neglects to provide for his own house1 even in temporal matters1 is well known2 and must there not be a radical defect and wrong in any religious organization which loses the great majority of its own youth1 and depends largely on infusions from without for the recruit of its numbers8 ,such an organization may do much good1 and widely extend in many places for the time being1 especially in a new and unsettled state of society2 but the vital element of permanent strength and lasting prosperity is wanting1 where1 by its repulsion or neglect1 the great majority of its baptized youth are alienated from1 and lost to its communion4 ,it is not in the promise of ,god1 or in the genius of ,scriptural ,christianity1 that children trained up in the way they should go1 will1 in many instances1 much less generally1 depart from it in after years4444 ,impressed with the magnitude of the wrongs and evils above referred to1 dreading personal collision in the ,conference1 anticipating but little success from it1 and feeling uncertain as to how few were likely to be the days of my earthly career1 and believing that a special duty was imposed upon me in this respect by ,providential circumstances1 ,i addressed to the ,president1 the #bnd of ,january1 444 as the most likely means1 without collision with any person or body1 to draw practical attention to the subject1 on the part of both the ministry and the laity of the ,church4444 ,i have the satisfaction of knowing that1 if the first efforts of my pen1 after joining the ,conference in #ahbe1 were to advocate the right of the members of the ,church to hold a bit of ground in which to bury their dead1 and the right of its ministers to perform the marriage service for the members of their congregations1 my last efforts in connection with the ,conference have been directed to obtain the rights of ,christian citizenship to the baptized children and exemplary adherents of the ,church4 ,while ,i maintain that each child in the land has a right to such an education as will fit him for his duties as a citizen of the state1 and that the obligations of the state correspond to the rights of the child1 so ,i maintain1 upon still stronger and higher grounds1 that each child baptized by the ,church is thereby enfranchised with the rights and privileges of citizenship in it1 until he forfeits them by personal misconduct and exclusion1 and that the obligations of the ,church correspond to the rights of the child4 ,i also maintain that each member of ,christ's visible ,church1 has a scriptural right to his membership in it as long as he keeps the commandments and ordinances of ,god1 whether he attends or does not attend a meeting which ,mr4 ,wesley 7who instituted it71 declared to be merely prudential1 not essential1 not of divine institution1 and for not attending which he never excluded1 or presumed to authorize excluding1 a person from ,church membership4 ,it is a principle of ,st4 ,paul1 in the #adth chapter of ,romans1 of all true ,protestantism1 as well as of the writings of ,mr4 ,wesley1 in necessary things unity1 in non-essentials liberty1 in all things charity4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in a letter1 written from ,quebec to a dear friend in ,toronto1 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus refers to his religious experience at that time of personal trial on the class-meeting question4 ,he said3--,in compliance with the entreaties of the ,hon4 ,james ,ferrier and the ,rev4 ,wm4 ,pollard1 ,i preached here last ,sunday evening1 and perhaps seldom with so much effect--certainly1 never in ,lower ,canada4 ,the congregation was very large2 many members of the ,legislature were present2 and some were much affected4 ,i had felt condemned for not preaching in ,new ,brunswick when solicited2 and ,i have felt that ,i have done right in obeying the powers that be in this respect in ,quebec4 ,i am solicited to remain and preach here again next ,sunday1 as many public persons have expressed disappointment at not having heard me last ,sunday evening4 ,a leading member of the church from ,montreal was so comforted and edified1 that after having spent the evening in my room until after ten o'clock1 he went to write out all of the discourse he could remember4 ,the friends here seem delighted to think ,i will still preach1 and say that ,i would sin against ,god and man if ,i refused4 ,my discourse on ,sunday was the result of my reflections and prayer here without books or notes2 and ,i feel much better since ,i consented to do what all seemed to think ,i ought to do4 ,they are quite satisfied with the course ,i have adopted1 and think it will result in great good1 if ,i will not refuse to preach4 ,the words of ,st4 ,paul 7#ast ,cor4 ch4 #i1 verse #af71 in a chapter to which ,i opened the other day1 have affected me much2 and ,i know not that ,i can otherwise do so much good during the very few years at most that now remain to me1 as to preach when desired by those who have authority in the matter1 in any church or place4 ,i feel deeply humbled under a sense of my own unfaithfulness1 and am amazed at the great goodness1 long-suffering and compassion of ,god towards me4 ,,footnotes3 #ach ,mr4 ,wesley's own account of the origin of the office of class-leader and class-meetings1 illustrates the accuracy of what ,i have stated4 ,the office was first created at ,bristol1 #aeth ,february1 #agdb1 for financial purposes alone4 ,a few weeks afterwards1 it was instituted for religious purposes also2 and for the twofold object of religion and finance1 it was embodied in the ,general ,rules1 which were drawn up and signed by ,mr4 ,wesley1 #ast ,may1 #agdc2 but in which there is no mention made of class-meeting1 or of the duty of any member to meet in class4 ,in his ,plain ,account of the ,people called ,methodists1 ,mr4 ,wesley thus states the origin of the office of class-leader and the institution of class-meetings4 ,at length 7says he17 while we were thinking of quite another thing1 we struck upon a method for which we have had cause to bless ,god ever since4 ,i was talking with several of the ,society in ,bristol 7,feb4 #ae1 #agdb17 concerning the means of paying the debts there1 when one stood up1 and said1 ',let every member of the ,society give a penny a week till all are paid4' ,another said1 ',but many of them are poor1 and cannot afford to do it4' ',then1' said the other1 'put eleven of the poorest with me1 and if they can give anything1 well3 ,i will see them weekly2 and if they can give nothing1 ,i will give for them as well as for myself4 ,and each of you will call upon eleven of your neighbours weekly1 receive what they give1 and make up what is wanting4' ,it was done4 ,in a little while some of these informed me1 they found such and such an one did not live as he ought4 ,it struck me immediately1 ,this is the very thing we have wanted so long4 ,i called together the ,leaders of the classes 7so we used to term them and their companies17 and desired that each would make particular inquiry into the behaviour of those whom he saw weekly4 ,they did so4 ,many disorderly walkers were detected4 ,some turned from the evil of their ways4 ,some were put away from us4 ,many saw it with fear1 and rejoiced in ,god with reverence4 ,as soon as possible1 the same method was used in ,london1 and in all other places4 ,the following is ,mr4 ,wesley's account of the first appointment of class-leaders in ,london1 extracted from his ,journal1 ,thursday1 ,march #be1 #agdb3 ,i appointed several earnest and sensible men to meet me1 to whom ,i showed the great difficulty ,i had long found of knowing the people who desired to be under my care4 ,after much discourse1 they all agreed there could be no better way to come to a sure1 thorough knowledge of each person1 than to divide them into classes1 like those at ,bristol1 under the inspection of those in whom ,i could confide4 ,this was the origin of our classes at ,london1 for which ,i can never sufficiently praise ,god2 the unspeakable usefulness of the institution having ever since been more and more manifest4 ,in his ,plain ,account of the ,people called ,methodists1 ,mr4 ,wesley says1 ,at first they 7the ,leaders7 visited each person at his own house2 but this was soon found not so expedient1 and that on many accounts4 ,mr4 ,wesley assigns several reasons for this change1 and proceeds to answer several objections to class-meetings4 ,the following passage shows the exact ground on which ,mr4 ,wesley based the institution of class-meetings3 ,some objected1 ',there were no such meetings when ,i came into the society first2 and why should there be now8 ,i do not understand these things1 and this changing one thing after another continually4' ,it was easily answered3 ,it is a pity but they had been from the first4 ,but we knew not then either the need or the benefit of them4 ,why we use them1 you will easily understand1 if you will read over the ,rules of the ,society4 ,that with regard to these little prudential helps1 we are continually changing one thing after another1 is not a weakness or fault as you imagine1 but is a peculiar privilege which we enjoy4 ,by this means we declare them all to be merely prudential1 not essential1 not of divine institution4 ,now1 while it is proper for each person1 as far as may be consistent with his circumstances and views of duty1 to use every prudential means of doing and getting good1 yet the observance of nothing but what is ,divinely instituted should be imposed as a condition of membership in the ,church of ,god4 ,to make attendance at class-meeting that condition1 is to require what the ,lord hath not commanded1 and to change essentially the character and objects of a means of good which ,mr4 ,wesley 7with whom it originated7 declared to be merely prudential1 not essential1 not of divine institution4 ,that ,mr4 ,wesley conceived the basis of a church should be much more comprehensive than the rules he drew up and recommended in regard to the little prudential helps which were suggested to him from time to time1 is obvious from the eighth of his twelve reasons against organising a new church--reasons published many years after the preparation and adoption of all his society rules4 ,his words are as follows3 ,because to form the plan of a new church would require infinite time and care1 with much more wisdom and greater depth and extensiveness of thought than any of us are masters of4 #aci ,the following is the ,article of ,faith referred to3-- ,,xvii4 ,of ,baptism4 ,baptism is not only a sign of profession1 and mark of difference1 whereby ,christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized1 but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth4 ,the baptism of young children is to be retained in the church4 #adj ,i have understood1 nevertheless1 that a resolution was adopted expressing the sense of the ,conference as to my past labours in the ,church2 but the publication of it has been suppressed in the official organ1 as also in the printed minutes1 of the ,conference4 ,the correspondence in the subsequent pages shows with what feelings and sentiments ,i retired from the councils of the ,conference2 and ,i could not have supposed that any members of that body were capable of excluding from the public records of its proceedings what the ,conference had deemed a bare act of justice to an individual who had laboured nearly thirty years in connection with it1 and often performed most difficult services and labours in its behalf4 ,such a proceeding will reflect more dishonour upon its authors than upon me1 in the judgment of every honourable and ,christian mind in ,upper ,canada1 of whatever persuasion or party4 ,i am happy to believe that this poor imitation of the system of the ,index ,expurgatorius cannot blot from the memories of an older generation in the ,church recollections of labours and struggles of which the expurgators know nothing but the fruits--among which are the civil and religious privileges they enjoy4 ,i have also been credibly informed that1 while the real grounds of my resignation and the judgment of the ,conference upon my conduct and labours during many years' connection with it1 are withheld from the ,wesleyan public1 insinuations are circulated1 that my resignation has been dictated by ulterior political objects--an idea which ,i have never for one moment entertained1 and which is foreign1 as far as ,i know1 to the thoughts of every public man in ,canada4 #ada ,of the utter insufficiency of public ministrations alone1 even for grown up ,christians1 much more for children1 ,mr4 ,wesley thus speaks in his large and authorized ,minutes of ,conference3--,for what avails public preaching alone1 though we could preach like angels8 ,we must1 yea1 every travelling preacher must1 instruct them from house to house4 ,till this is done1 and that in good earnest1 the ,methodists will be little better than other people4 ,our religion is not deep1 universal1 uniform2 but superficial1 partial1 uneven4 ,it will be so1 till we spend half as much time in this visiting1 as we now do in talking uselessly4 ,for1 after all our preaching1 many of our people are almost as ignorant as if they had never heard the gospel4 ,i speak as plain as ,i can1 yet ,i frequently meet with those who have been my hearers many years1 who know not whether ,christ be ,god or man4 ,and how few are there who know the nature of repentance1 faith and holiness4 ,most of them have a sort of confidence that ,god will save them1 while the world has their hearts4 ,i have found by experience1 that one of these has learned more from one hour's close discourse than from ten years' public preaching4 ,let every preacher having a catalogue of those in each society1 go to each house4 ,deal gently with them1 that the report of it may move others to desire your coming4 ,give the children the instructions for children1 and encourage them to get them by heart4 ,indeed1 you will find it no easy matter to teach the ignorant the principles of religion4 ,so true is the remark of ,archbishop ,usher--',great scholars may think this work beneath them4 ,but they should consider1 the laying the foundation skilfully1 as it is of the greatest importance1 so it is the masterpiece of the wisest builder4 ,and let the wisest of us all try1 whenever we please1 we shall find that to lay this ground-work rightly1 to make the ignorant understand the grounds of religion1 will put us to all our skill4' ,unless we take care of the rising generation1 the present revival will be res unius aetatis 7a thing of one generation72 it will last only the age of a man4 ,there are several ministers who earnestly labour in the spirit of these extracts from ,mr4 ,wesley's ,minutes of ,conference--printed the year of his death4 ,but their labours are the promptings of individual zeal and intelligence1 and not dictated or backed by the authoritative example of the ministry and ,church at large1 or the recognition of the ,church relations of the interesting subjects of their instructions4 ,the effect of the general disuse or neglect of systematic individual instruction of children1 not speaking of such1 instruction of adult members1 and reliance upon public ministrations and meetings alone1 must be instability of religious profession1 want of clear and acute views of the grounds1 doctrines1 nature1 institutions and duties of religion1 indifference to all religion1 or wandering from denomination to denomination according to circumstances or caprice2 but in all cases the loss to the ,wesleyan ,church of the greater part of the harvest which she should and might gather into the garner of ,christ4 ,,chapter ,,lv4 #ahee4 ,dr4 ,ryerson ,resumes his ,position in the ,conference4 ,although the great majority of the ,conference of #ahed1 after much conflict of feeling--in which regret and sympathy were mingled--rejected the resolutions proposed by ,dr4 ,ryerson on the class-meeting question1 yet sorrow at the loss from their councils of so distinguished a man as ,dr4 ,ryerson prevailed amongst them4 ,this feeling deepened as the year advanced1 and much personal effort was made to induce him to consent to some honourable means by which his return to the ministerial ranks could be secured4 ,at length1 as the ,conference-year neared its close1 he yielded to the wishes of his friends1 and1 on the #bfth ,may1 #ahee1 addressed the following letter to ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood1 ,president of the ,conference3-- ,from the conversations which have taken place between you1 my brother1 and some others of our ministers and myself1 in reference to my present and future relations to the ,conference and to the ,church1 ,i think it but respectful and an act of duty to state my views in writing1 that there may be no misapprehension on the subject1 and that you may adopt such a course as you shall think advisable4 ,when ,i wrote my letters of resignation of office in the ,church1 the one dated #bnd ,january1 #ahed1 and the other the #abth day of ,june following1 ,i had but faint expectations of being in the land of the living at this time4 ,in what ,i wrote and did1 ,i acted under the apprehension of having no longer time for delay in attesting1 in the most decisive and practical way in my power1 what ,i believe to be the divine rights of members of the visible ,church of ,christ whether they are baptized children or professing ,christians4 ,since then ,i have reason to be thankful that the alarming symptoms in respect to my health have in a great measure subsided1 and that ,i have the prospect of being able to continue my labours with undiminished strength and vigor1 at least for some time to come4 ,in my first letter to you ,i stated and explained at length my belief that making attendance at class-meeting an essential condition of membership in the ,church of ,god1 is not only requiring what is not enjoined in the word of ,god1 but excluding1 on other than scriptural grounds1 exemplary persons from the ,church of ,christ1 and unchurching the baptized children of our people who1 as well as their parents1 are scripturally entitled to membership in the ,church4 ,having given the subject much further consideration during the last twelve months1 and having examined all the works on it within my reach1 ,i am1 if possible1 more fully confirmed in the views ,i expressed last year1 as both ,wesleyan and scriptural1 than when ,i penned them4 ,and it is not unworthy of remark1 that the only two newspapers in ,canada which have combatted my views have been ,the ,church and ,the ,catholic ,citizen2 and both of these papers have done so upon the ground that my views were not compatible with the due authority of the ,church to decree dogmas1 rites and ceremonies4 ,i acknowledge myself a heretic according to their creed of ecclesiastical authority2 and ,i confess that the position ,i have been unexpectedly compelled to assume during the last two or three years as to the right of every man to the ,bible1 and the rights of individuals and municipalities against compulsion in regard to taxation for the support of sectarian schools1 has more deeply impressed upon my mind than ever that the ,bible is the only safeguard of civil liberty1 and that the ,bible only ought to be the religion of ,protestants2 and especially in a matter so important as that which determines who are members and what are the conditions of membership in the ,church of ,christ4 ,i must1 therefore1 in all frankness and honesty1 still declare my conviction that there is no scriptural authority for the power which is given to a minister1 by the answers to the #dth question in the #bnd section of the #bnd chapter of our ,discipline1 to exclude a person from the ,church of ,god for what is expressly stated not to be immoral conduct1 namely1 not attending a meeting which is not ranked among the ordinances of the ,church in the ,general ,rules of our ,societies1 which the #abth section of the #ast chapter of our ,discipline does not enumerate among the prudential means of grace1 even among ,methodists1 and which ,mr4 ,wesley stated to be not spiritual1 not of divine institution4 ,i would never exercise such authority myself2 ,i never have exercised it2 but ,i will not assume to judge those who think and act otherwise4 ,i beg1 however1 that it may not be forgotten1 that while ,i thus speak and quote the authorities of the ,church in respect to class-meeting as a test or condition of ,church membership2 yet as a prudential means of grace and a mode and means of ,christian fellowship1 ,i regard class-meetings 7as stated in my former letters above referred to71 as well as love-feasts and prayer-meetings1 as of the greatest value and importance4 ,but when ,i think of class-meeting being converted into a condition of membership in the ,church of ,christ1 and thus made the occasion of excluding from its pale the whole early generation of our people and many other sincere ,christians1 ,i cannot view it as ,i would wish1 and as ,i could otherwise do1 with the same feelings that ,i view love-feasts and prayer-meetings4 ,in regard to the other aspect of the question1 as it applies to the baptized children of our people1 and in which the nature and office of ,baptism are involved1 ,i feel it to be of such vital importance that ,i must beg to make some observations which ,i hope may not be considered out of place1 or prove altogether useless4 ,the circumstances which have caused me to feel so strongly on this point were stated in my letter to you on the #bnd ,january1 #ahed1 and afterwards more fully justified in my letter of the #abth of ,june following2 and it is with no small degree of surprise that ,i have found my views misapprehended and pronounced unsound4 ,it has been alleged that they involve baptismal regeneration4 ,nothing can be further from the fact4 ,what ,i maintain is simply what is stated in the #agth ,article of ,faith professed by our ,church1 and by the catechism used in the ,methodist ,church on both sides of the ,atlantic1 and what is set forth at large in the writings of ,mr4 ,wesley and ,mr4 ,watson4 ,baptism1 like the ,lord's ,supper1 is an outward sign2 but1 of course1 neither can be that of which it is the sign4 ,baptism 7as the #agth ,article of our ,faith expresses it71 is not only a sign of profession1 and mark of difference whereby ,christians are distinguished from others that are unbaptized1 but it is also a sign of regeneration1 or the new birth4 ,what ,i maintain is1 that baptism is the outward and visible sign1 while regeneration1 or the new birth1 is the inward spiritual grace2 that by baptism we are born into the visible ,church of ,christ on earth1 while by the ,holy ,ghost we are born into the spiritual or invisible ,church of ,christ in heaven1 the same as in the ,lord's ,supper2 there is the visible act of the ,church and of the body of communicants1 and the invisible act of the ,saviour by the ,holy ,ghost and of the soul of the communicant4 ,the two are distinct2 the one may not accompany the other2 but they may1 and often do1 accompany each other4 ,the parent should bring his child in faith to the ,lord's baptism1 the same as the communicant should come in faith to the ,lord's ,supper4 ,the communion of the ,lord's ,supper is the act of a professed member of ,christ's visible ,church2 the receiving of the ,lord's baptism1 is receiving the seal of membership in ,christ's visible ,church1 that mark of difference whereby ,christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized4 ,hence in the ,wesleyan catechism1 the question is asked1-- ,what are the privileges of baptized persons8 ,the answer is1--,they are made members of the visible church of ,christ2 their gracious relation to ,him as the ,second ,adam1 and as the ,mediator of the ,new ,covenant1 is solemnly ratified by divine appointment2 and they are thereby recognized as having a claim to all the spiritual blessings of which they are the proper subjects4 ,i maintain1 therefore1 that the language of our ,articles of ,faith and ,catechism1 as well as of our ,baptismal ,service and the writings of ,mr4 ,wesley1 explicitly declares baptism an act of the ,church by which it receives the children baptized into its bosom--that all baptized children are truly members of ,christ's visible ,church1 although they be not communicants in it until they personally profess the ,faith of their ,baptism1 and evince their desire to flee from the wrath to come by the negative and positive proofs so briefly and fully enumerated in the ,general ,rules of our societies4 ,the ,church membership of baptized children is known to be the doctrine of all parties in the ,church of ,england1 as well as of ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,it is equally the doctrine of all sections of the ,presbyterian ,church1 in which the baptized children are regarded as members of the ,church1 but not communicants until they make a personal profession of conversion1 and receive a token or ticket of admission to the ,lord's ,supper4 ,on this point it is sufficient to cite the following passages from the fifteenth chapter of the fourth book of ,calvin's ,institutes4 ,baptism is a sign of initiation1 by which we are admitted into the society of the ,church1 in order that being incorporated into ,christ1 we may be numbered among the children of ,god4444 ,for as circumcision was a pledge to the ,jews1 by which they were assured of their adoption as the people and family of ,god1 and on their parts professed their entire subjection to ,him1 and1 therefore1 was their first entrance into the ,church2 so now we are initiated into the ,church of ,god by baptism1 are numbered among ,his people1 and profess to devote ourselves to his service4444 ,how delightful is it to pious minds1 not only to have verbal assurances1 but even occular proof1 of their standing so high in the favour of their heavenly ,father1 that their posterity also are the objects of his care6 ,this is evidently the reason why ,satan makes such great exertions in opposition to infant baptism3 that the removal of this testimony of the grace of ,god may cause the promise which it exhibits before our eyes gradually to disappear1 and at length to be forgotten4 ,the consequence of this would be an impious ingratitude to the mercy of ,god1 and negligence of the instruction of our children in the principles of piety4 ,for it is no small stimulus to our education of them in the serious fear of ,god1 and the observance of ,his law1 to reflect1 that they are considered and acknowledged by ,him as ,his children as soon as they are born4 ,wherefore1 unless we are obstinately determined to reject the goodness of ,god1 let us present to ,him our children1 to whom ,he assigns a place in ,his family1 that is1 among the members of ,his church4 ,richard ,watson1 the great expounder of ,wesleyan ,christian doctrine1 treats this subject elaborately in the third chapter of the fourth part of his ,theological ,institutes4 ,i will only quote the following sentences3-- ,infant children are declared by ,christ to be members of ,his ,church4 ,that they were members of ,god's ,church1 in the family of ,abraham1 and among the ,jews1 cannot be denied4444 ,the membership of the ,jews comprehended both children and adults2 and the grafting-in of the ,gentiles1 so as to partake of the same root and fatness1 will1 therefore1 include a right to put their children also into the covenant1 so that they1 as well as adults1 may become members of ,christ's ,church1 have ,god to be their ,god1 and be acknowledged by ,him1 in the special sense of the terms of the covenant1 to be ,his people4444 ,whosoever 7says ,christ7 shall receive this child in my name1 receiveth me2 but such an identity of ,christ with ,his disciples stands wholly upon their relation to ,him as members of ,his mystic body1 the ,church4 ,it is in this respect only that they are one with ,him2 and there can be no identity of ,christ with little children but by virtue of the same relation1 that is1 as they are members of ,his mystical body1 the ,church2 of which membership baptism is now1 as circumcision was then1 the initiatory rite4444 ,the benefits of this ,sacrament require to be briefly exhibited4 ,baptism introduces the adult believer into the covenant of grace and the ,church of ,christ2 and is the seal1 the pledge1 to him1 on the part of ,god1 of the fulfilment of all its provisions1 in time and in eternity2 whilst on his part1 he takes upon himself the obligation of steadfast faith and obedience4 ,to the infant child1 baptism is a visible reception into the same covenant and church1 a pledge of acceptance through ,christ--the bestowment of a title to all the grace of the covenant as circumstances may require1 and as the mind of the child may be capable of receiving it2 and as it may be sought in future life by prayer1 when the period of reason and moral choice shall arrive4 ,it conveys also the present blessing of ,christ1 of which we are assured by ,his taking children in ,his arms1 and blessing them2 which blessing cannot be merely nominal1 but must be substantial and efficacious4 ,it secures1 too1 the gift of the ,holy ,spirit in those secret spiritual influences1 by which the actual regeneration of those children who die in infancy is effected2 and which are a seed of life in those who are spared to prepare them for instruction in the word of ,god1 as they are taught by parental care1 to incline their will and affections to good1 and to begin and maintain in them the war against inward and outward evil1 so that they may be divinely assisted1 as reason strengthens1 to make their calling and election sure4 ,in a word1 it is1 both as to infants and adults1 the sign1 and pledge of that inward grace1 which1 though modified in its operations by the difference of their circumstances1 has respect to1 and flows from1 a covenant relation to each of the ,three ,persons in whose one name they are baptized1--acceptance by the ,father--union with ,christ as the head of ,his mystical body1 the ,church--and communion with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,to these advantages must be added the respect which ,god bears to the believing act of the parents1 and to their solemn prayers on the occasion1 in both of which the child is interested2 as well as in that solemn engagement of the parents which the rite necessarily implies1 to bring up their child in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord4 ,to these impressive words of ,richard ,watson1 ,i add the following equally impressive extract from the pastoral address of the ,wesleyan ,conference in ,england to the ,societies under its charge in #ahcg3-- ,by baptism you place your children within the pale of the visible ,church1 and give them a right to all its privileges1 the pastoral care of its ministers1 and as far as their age and capacity will allow1 the enjoyment of its ordinances and means of grace4 ,these children are not offshoots of the ,church1 enjoying only a distant relation to it1 but they are of it1 as a fact2 they are grafted into the body of ,christ's disciples2 they are partakers of an initiatory and provisional state of acceptance with ,god1 and can forfeit their right to the fellowship of the saints only by a course of sin4 ,besides1 when this sacred ordinance is regarded by parents in the spirit of prayer and faith1 it cannot be unaccompanied by the divine blessing4 ,grace is connected with every institution of the ,christian ,church2 and when children are constituted a part of the flock of ,christ by being placed within the fold1 they have a peculiar claim on the care of that good ,shepherd who gathereth the lambs with his arms and carries them in his bosom2 and they will receive instruction1 spiritual influences1 tender care1 and the exercise of mercy1 agreeing with the relation in which they stand to ,god4 ,on these grounds we affectionately exhort you to place your beloved offspring within the courts of the house of our ,god1 and amongst the number of ,his family1 by strictly attending to this divinely appointed ordinance of our ,saviour4#adb ,dr4 ,ryerson's views were1 therefore1 the same in #ahcd as they were in #ahed--that by ,baptism children stand in the relation of members of the ,church1 and should be enrolled in its registers1 and entitled to its privileges1 until they1 by their own voluntary irregularity or neglect1 forfeit them4 ,the coincidence mentioned1 and the consistency of the views expressed by ,dr4 ,ryerson twenty years before1 are very remarkable4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now what are these solemn and affecting words of ,john ,calvin1 of ,richard ,watson1 and of the ,british ,conference1 but a mockery and a snare1 if the baptized children are not to be acknowledged and treated as members of the visible church of ,christ8 ,ought not then children baptised by the ,wesleyan ministry to be recognized and cared for as members of the ,wesleyan ,church8 ,it is absurd1 and leaves them in a state of religious orphanage1 to say that they are members of the visible ,church of ,christ1 but not members of any particular branch of it4 ,as well might it be said1 that the children born in ,canada1 are members of the ,canadian family1 but not members of any particular family in ,canada4 ,to be the former without being the latter1 would indeed allow them a country1 but would leave them without a home1 without a parent1 without a protector1 without an inheritance--homeless1 houseless1 destitute orphans4 ,is this the relation in which the baptized children of our people are to be viewed to the ,church of their parents8 ,in doing so1 are not the most powerful considerations1 motives and influences brought to bear upon both parents and children8 ,in not doing so1 is not the greatest wrong inflicted upon both1 the ordinance of baptism virtually ignored1 and its blessings lost8 ,but in denying that any one is or can be a member of the ,church except one who meets in class1 are not the baptized children of our people refused a place within its pale8 deprived of their baptismal birthright1 before they are old enough to forfeit it by transgression8 shut out from the family of ,god's people1 and as practically unchurched as if they had never received a ,christian name1 in the name of the ,father1 of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost8 ,i cannot reflect upon the subject or contemplate its consequences1 without the deepest pain and solicitude4 ,i will pursue it no further1 but will leave it with you and those on whom the responsibility of deciding upon it devolves4 ,it will be remembered that ,i have never said anything as to the mode of receiving adult persons from without into the ,church2 nor as to the class of members who alone should be eligible to hold office in the ,church2 nor have ,i entertained the idea that any other than the scriptural summary of ,christian morality contained in the ,general ,rules of our ,societies should be applied to all members of the ,church1 whether in full communion or not4 ,nor have ,i other than supposed that all persons recognized as a part of the ,church1 would1 as far as circumstances can permit1 be registered as classes1 and called upon regularly by a leader or steward for their contributions in support of the ministry and other institutions of the ,church1 the same as persons meeting weekly in a class4 ,what ,i have said applies wholly and exclusively to the ,church relation and rights of the baptized children of our people1 and to the rights of persons otherwise admitted into the ,church1 who1 ,i believe1 ought not to be excluded from it except for what would exclude them from the kingdom of grace and glory4 ,anything appertaining to myself personally is unworthy of mention in such a connexion4 ,i banish from my mind and heart the recollection and feeling of anything ,i consider to have been uncalled for and unjust towards myself on the part of others4 ,though ,i have resigned the ecclesiastical or outward authority to exercise the functions of the ,christian ministry1 ,i have never regarded myself as a secular man2 ,i have felt1 and do feel1 and especially with improved health1 the inward1 and1 ,i trust1 divine conviction of duty to preach1 as occasion may offer and strength permit1 the unsearchable riches of ,christ to dying men4 ,and if after the past publication and foregoing statement of my convictions on the point of ,church ,discipline and its administration1 as affecting baptized children and other scripturally blameless members of the ,church1 and my purpose to maintain them on such occasions1 and in such manner as are sanctioned by the ,discipline1 the ,conference thinks it proper and desirable that ,i should resume my former relations to it and to the ,church1 ,i am willing to cancel my resignation1 and to labour1 as heretofore1 to preach the doctrines and promote the agencies of the ,church which ,i have sought by every earthly means in my power1 though with conscious unfaithfulness before ,god1 to advance during the last thirty years1 and which are1 ,i believe1 according to the ,scriptures1 and calculated to promote the present and everlasting well-being of man4 ,the reading of this letter at the ,london ,conference of #ahee led to a great deal of discussion and various explanations1 which unfortunately afterwards resulted in much misunderstanding and recrimination4 ,the ,conference1 however1 with a unanimity and heartiness which reflected great credit for its calm judgment and ,christian love of unity1 passed the following resolution by a nearly two-thirds majority3-- ,that while this ,conference declares its unaltered determination to maintain inviolate the position held respecting the views contained in ,dr4 ,ryerson's communications of last year1 and upon which his resignation was tendered and accepted2 yet upon the application which the latter part of ,dr4 ,ryerson's present communication contains1 this ,conference restores him to his former standing and relations to the ,conference and the ,church4 ,after the resolution was passed1 ,dr4 ,ryerson went to the ,conference at ,london1 and in a letter which he wrote to me1 dated ,january #ith1 he said3-- ,my entrance into the ,conference was cordially greeted4 ,i was very affectionately welcomed and introduced by the ,president1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood1 after which ,i briefly addressed the ,conference1 and ,i have since taken the same part in the proceedings as heretofore4 ,after a long discussion yesterday1 a very important change was made in the ,discipline4 ,by this change a minister may be stationed in the same circuit during five years1 if requested by the quarterly meeting4 ,a prominent member made a long and violent speech against it4 ,i replied at length1 and stated the general grounds on which ,i thought the change recommended by the ,stationing ,committee should be adopted4 ,after the adoption of the resolution1 ,i congratulated the ,conference on this indication of progress in a direction to what was regarded as heretical when ,i first introduced the proposition five years ago4 ,some preacher said ,i was a little too soon4 ,i said perhaps ,i had the misfortune of having been born a few years too soon4 ,another said that he supposed ,i expected that other changes would also follow4 ,i replied1 time would show4 ,i was informed that all 7even ,messrs4 ,jeffers and ,spencer7 expressed a desire for my return to the ,conference4 ,the lengthened discussion was based upon certain parts of my letter to ,mr4 ,wood1 which it was held were not courteous1 but a bearding of the ,conference4 ,on the other hand1 it was contended that my sentiments even on the class-meeting condition of membership were the practice of those very preachers who objected to them4 ,examples were given1 much to the surprise of certain parties1 who professed to be the greatest sticklers on the subject4 ,it was professed by all1 without exception1 that but for certain phrases in my letter 7to the sentiments of which1 it was maintained1 the ,conference would be committed by the resolution proposed7 the vote in regard to me would have been unanimous4 99 99 99 99 99 ,amongst other congratulatory letters received by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 none were more gratifying to him than the following characteristic letter from ,rev4 ,john ,black1 in township of ,rawdon1 written on the #afth of ,june3-- ,my good ,mr4 ,lever1 of ,sidney1 in a letter from the ,conference1 informs me that ,dr4 ,ryerson is once more among his brethren1 and1 as usual1 taking an active part in the affairs of ,conference4 ,although three of my children were confined to bed by sickness1 yet on hearing such news ,i was almost ready for a shout4 ,permit me to say that your departure from us at ,belleville1 twelve months ago1 lay heavy on my heart2 and now to hear the above intelligence is good to my soul4 ,for many years ,i have been much attached to ,mr4 ,egerton ,ryerson4 ,we were taken on trial at the same time1 and together were ordained to the great work of the ministry4 ,and although you1 ,mr4 ,r41 have been near the head1 and ,i1 ,mr4 ,b41 near the foot1 yet we are in the same ranks1 fighting the battles of the ,lord1 and exercising our talents in behalf of truth and righteousness4 ,i know that your time is precious1 yet ,i believe you will spare a minute or two in reading a few lines from your affectionate1 and now almost worn-out1 friend and well-wisher4 ,long may you live for the purpose of using your talents for the benefit of ,church and ,state6 ,this fervent wish stands at a distance from mere compliment and from flattery1 and is the free emotion of a ,methodist heart4 ,,footnotes3 #adb ,as early as #ahcd1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was deeply impressed with the correctness of these views4 ,having1 in the ,guardian of the #ith of ,april1 #ahcd1 called the attention of his ministerial brethren to the pressing duty of giving effect to the section of the ,discipline on the ,instruction of ,children1 he proceeded to point out in the ,guardian of the #bcrd of that month1 the privileges which baptism confers upon ,methodist children1 fortifying his views by the following quotation from ,rev4 ,r4 ,watson's ,institutes3--,baptism introduces the adult believer into the covenant of ,grace1 and the ,church of ,christ4444 ,to the infant child it is a visible reception into the same covenant and ,church4444 ,in a word1 it is both to infants and adults a sign and pledge of that inward grace1 which has respect to and flows from a covenant relation to each of the three persons1 in whose one name they are baptized--acceptance with ,christ as the ,head of ,his mystical body1 the ,church1 and of communion of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,,chapter ,,lvi4 #ahee-aheh4 ,personal ,episode in the ,class-,meeting ,discussion4 ,i have already referred to the character of the discussion which resulted in ,dr4 ,ryerson's restoration to the ,conference4 ,in the heat of that discussion some things may have been said by ,dr4 ,ryerson's friends which were not warranted by the terms of his letter of the #bfth of ,may2 or what was said may have been construed 7designedly or otherwise7 into an admission of assurance on ,dr4 ,ryerson's part that he would cease to agitate the question1 or that he would hold his opinions in abeyance4 ,the discussion on the ,class-meeting question was the chief event in the proceedings of the ,wesleyan ,conference of #ahee4 ,yet not the slightest reference to the subject1 or to ,dr4 ,ryerson's return to the ,conference was made in the report of the proceedings which were published in the ,guardian of the #acth and #bjth of ,june in that year4 ,it was not until some time after the adjournment of the ,conference1 and the departure of ,dr4 ,ryerson for ,europe1 that the subject was mentioned in that paper1 and what did appear was apparently an afterthought4#adc ,after ,dr4 ,ryerson had gone1 an editorial appeared in the ,guardian of the #bgth of ,june from which the following is an extract3-- ,we did not notice in our summary account of the proceedings of the ,conference the return of ,dr4 ,ryerson to his former position with that body1 but as erroneous statements have appeared in the paper respecting it we think proper to give the facts of the case4 ,a short time previous to the sitting of the ,conference ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed a letter to the ,president1 in which he stated that his views remained unaltered respecting the points of difference between himself and the ,conference2 he expressed a desire to resume his ministerial duties in the ,church4 ,the communication was accompanied with a verbal assurance that his own peculiar views on the questions at issue would be held in abeyance in deference to the determination of the ,conference to maintain inviolate those parts of the ,wesleyan ,discipline to which his communication referred4 ,this was the position in which the application of ,dr4 ,ryerson was presented to the ,conference1 and1 after a somewhat animated discussion on the subject1 the resolution for his re-admission was adopted by nearly a two-thirds majority4 ,immediately on the publication of this article1 ,i sent it to ,dr4 ,ryerson at ,boston1 where he was about to take the steamer for ,england4 ,he at once replied to the ,editor1 and sent the letter to me for insertion in the ,guardian4 ,in his private note to me1 dated #crd ,july1 he said3-- ,i think the ,guardian's statement is the most shameful attack that was ever made upon me--one that ,i did not expect even from him--one that ,i would not have believed had ,i not seen it4 ,what may be the end of this affair1 ,i cannot yet see4 ,but ,i am satisfied in my own conscience as to the course ,i have pursued1 and as to my present duty4 ,as to rescinding the clause of the ,discipline relating to the exclusion of persons for not attending class-meetings1 no determination was expressed to enforce it4 ,on the contrary1 it was declared to be a dead letter in many places4 ,what ,i maintained was1 that the practice and the rule should be in harmony4 ,you will see what ,i have said to the ,editor of the ,guardian in a private note4 ,remember me affectionately to all2 and may ,almighty ,god prosper you in your educational work during my absence4 ,the following is a copy of the private letter to ,rev4 ,j4 ,spencer1 which accompanied ,dr4 ,ryerson's reply to the editorial3 ,i was not a little surprised and pained at your unfair and unjust statement respecting me1 and especially after what passed on my leaving the ,conference1 and your careful silence on the subject until ,i had left home1 and would not therefore be likely to have it in my power to furnish an antidote until your injurious statement had accomplished its object as far as possible4 ,but ,i am thankful that1 through the prompt kindness of ,mr4 ,hodgins1 and by that means alone1 ,i have been furnished with a copy of the ,guardian in time to write a hasty reply before embarking for the other side of the ,atlantic4 ,i have requested ,mr4 ,hodgins to take a copy of my communication to you1 as ,i have not time to transcribe it4 ,you can as easily command my letter to the ,president of the ,conference as you did the resolution of the ,conference4 ,i ask for no indulgence or favour2 ,i ask for nothing but truth and justice4 ,i will thank you to inform ,mr4 ,hodgins as early as possible as to whether you intend to perpetuate the wrong you have done me1 by refusing to insert my letter to the ,president of the ,conference1 and the note ,i have this evening addressed to you in reference to your statement4 ,i wish ,mr4 ,hodgins to inform me of the result by the next mail to ,england1 and also to act otherwise by me as ,i would by him in like circumstances4#add ,having got ,dr4 ,ryerson's reply to the ,guardian's attack of #bgth ,june1 inserted in the ,toronto city papers1 ,i wrote to him to that effect4 ,his reply is dated1 ,london 7,eng417 #crd ,august3--,i thank you sincerely for the pains you have taken in regard to my letter to the ,guardian4 ,i am thankful that1 by your zeal and good management1 the ,methodist body1 as well as the public at large1 will have an opportunity of learning my own views from my own pen2 but considering the intended course of the ,guardian1 and what he alleges to be the feelings of many others1 ,i have great doubts whether ,i can be of any use to the ,wesleyan body1 or of much use to the interests of religion in connection with the ,conference1 and that ,i shall rather embarrass1 and be a burden to my friends in the ,conference1 than be a help to them4 ,my only wish and aim as a minister is1 to preach the evangelical doctrines ,i have always proclaimed1 and which are preached with power by many clergymen of the ,church of ,england and ,presbyterian ,churches1 and often more forcibly1 than by many ,methodist ministers4 ,i confess1 from what you state1 ,i see no prospect of effecting the changes in the relation and privileges of baptized children1 and the test of membership in the ,methodist ,church1 which ,i believe to be required by the ,scriptures1 and by consistency4 ,i apprehend that anything proposed by me on these subjects will be made the occasion of violent attacks and agitation1 and that personal hostility to me will be made a sort of test of orthodoxy among a large party in the ,conference and in the ,church--thus exposing my friends to much unpleasantness and disadvantage on my account1 and reducing1 if not extinguishing1 all opportunities on my part to preach1 as ,i should be 7as in times past7 wholly dependent upon the invitations of others4 99 99 99 99 99 ,from this incident a private and confidential correspondence on the subject was maintained for months between ,dr4 ,ryerson in ,europe and myself1 in ,canada4 ,it was clear to my mind at the time that the ,editor took an unfair advantage of ,dr4 ,ryerson's absence from the country to injure 7as he supposed7 his brother in the ministry4 ,in this he was mistaken2 and1 in his chagrin1 he attacked me personally in the ,guardian for my zeal on behalf of ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,events proved that my interposition was opportune and just2 and that1 had ,i not done so1 the ,methodist people would have been improperly and cruelly misled1 and irreparable injustice would have been done to the character and motives of a noble and generous man1 who1 in this instance1 ought not to have been held responsible for the utterances of warm hearts1 but of possibly indiscreet tongues4 ,i speak advisedly when ,i say that ,i understood perfectly well the two men with whom ,i had to deal4 ,rev4 ,james ,spencer was well known to me1 when ,i was a student at ,victoria ,college forty years ago4 ,he was a good man1 no doubt2 but no student at that ,college ever thought of comparing him with the ,principal of the ,college4 ,how he ever got to be ,editor of the ,guardian was always a mystery to me4 ,i never had the slightest difference with him--quite the reverse2 but no comparison could be instituted between ,james ,spencer and ,egerton ,ryerson4 ,in this matter ,i had no personal feeling4 ,both men were ,methodists1 while ,i am an ,episcopalian1 and both have gone to their final account4 ,moreover1 the question was not one of doctrine1 or of denominational preference4 ,it was one of simple justice and fair play between man and man4 ,hence1 ,i took the earliest opportunity of apprising ,dr4 ,ryerson of the unjust and anomalous position in which he had been placed by the ,editor of the ,guardian4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following private letters were successively received by me from ,dr4 ,ryerson while he was in ,europe3-- ,paris1 #bcrd ,august4--,i enclose my answer to ,rev4 ,james ,spencer4 ,i wish you would have it inserted in the ,globe and ,colonist4 ,as you are acquainted with all the circumstances in ,canada1 being on the spot1 if you think it best to abridge1 omit1 or modify the words of any part of my communication1 ,i would wish you to do so4 ,whatever course ,i may think it my duty to pursue in future1 ,i wish in this communication to preserve that tone of remark which can give no offence to any minister or member of the ,wesleyan ,church4 ,i will not be the offending party1 and the responsibility of a wider breach between the ,conference and myself will not be with me4 ,what course duty may require me to pursue1 ,i still leave to the direction of ,infinite ,wisdom1 and to future consideration4444 ,the ,queen is in ,paris this week1 during which all business in my way seems to be suspended4 ,she is received with great enthusiasm4 ,we have seen her and the ,emperor two or three times4 ,paris1 #cjth ,august4--,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood's denial of my having given him any pledge1 or any thing that would be so construed1 is full and decided1 and if my brother ,john says anything at all1 it will be1 ,i have no doubt1 less than ,i have stated in my letter4 ,but still the main question of my position in the ,conference is unaffected by these disclaimers4 ,it appears from ,mr4 ,spencer's statement 7in which he seems to be sustained by others7 that the terms of my letter were not acted upon or complied with by the ,conference1 but that the ,conference acted upon a verbal assurance that ,i never made1 or authorized4 ,the simplest and most natural way for me to act1 is1 to withdraw my letter on these grounds1 and to decline availing myself of1 or recognizing an act of1 the ,conference based upon what ,i never proposed or authorized4 ,thus the responsibility of this irregular and absurd proceeding will rest with others1 and ,i will stand1 in the maintenance of all that ,i have stated and done1 with the advantage of having acted a most conciliatory part4 ,but what ,i shall do must not be decided upon hastily1 as ,i act for life1 and finally4 ,if it ultimately appears to me1 as it does at present1 that there is no consistent or justifiable ground on which ,i can remain a member of the ,conference1 it will then be for me to consider whether ,i can occupy the position of a layman1 or enter the ministry of some other section of the ,christian ,church4 ,i would like to have your own impressions and views on this point1 in reference to my future standing and usefulness in ,canada4 ,paris1 #bjth ,september4--,in my reply to ,mr4 ,spencer ,i did not allude to the cases of ,montreal and ,quebec4 ,perhaps the disclaimer which has been adopted by quarterly meetings in those places may require from me a remark or two4 ,what ,i said was founded upon what was told me on reliable authority that no preacher had enforced1 or dare enforce1 the rule4 ,i understand the same at ,quebec4 ,i have been assured1 and ,i have no doubt the enquiry will establish the fact1 that there are men1 trustees of the ,churches1 in either or both ,montreal or ,quebec1 who do not meet in class1 and whose names are not1 and ,i think whose names never have been1 on any class book4 ,but ,i think the natural and necessary effect of the whole is1 to terminate my connection with the ,methodist ,church4 ,i still remain undecided2 but ,i see no other course on the ground of consistency1 propriety1 or duty1 as well as of religious enjoyment4 ,but this is only to yourself4 ,the remaining question will be whether ,i should remain a private member of a ,church1 or enter another ,church4 ,on this point ,i am quite undecided4 ,may ,i be divinely directed6 ,in a further letter directed to me from ,paris in ,september1 #ahee1 ,dr4 ,ryerson discussed the whole question at issue4 ,after pointing out the unfair conduct of the ,editor of the ,guardian in attacking and misrepresenting a member of the ,conference1 and then saying that his columns were closed against any further discussion of the subject1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,the ,editor of the ,guardian and others represent me as hostile to class-meetings4 ,this may do injury1 in the estimation of some persons1 to a means of religious edification which ,i regard as one of the most efficient human agencies for promoting spiritual-mindedness among religious people4 ,the responsibility of such a proceeding is with themselves4 ,the ,editor of the ,guardian represents this as a matter of dispute between the ,conference and myself4 ,this is wholly incorrect4 ,the resolution of the ,conference is avowedly based upon my letter1 and upon that alone4 ,that record cannot be falsified4 ,the variation between the wording of the resolution of the ,conference and the latter part of my letter referred to in it1 is not of the slightest consequence4 ,the acts of the ,conference1 as well as of the ,legislature1 are to be judged of1 not by what may have been said by individual members in the course of discussion1 but by its attested records and official papers4 ,now with the same truth and propriety that my assailants charge me with having written against class-meetings1 might ,i charge them with being opposed to prayer-meetings and love-feasts1 and even the ,lord's ,supper1 because they do not make the observance of all or of any one of these institutions 7though the latter is expressly instituted by our ,lord himself71 a condition of membership in the ,church of ,god4 ,because ,i have avowed my long-settled conviction that class-meetings ought not to be exalted above all the other ordinances and institutions of religion--giving as an authority the words of ,john ,wesley himself--am ,i to be charged with having written against class-meeting8 ,so far from having written against these meetings1 ,i have expressed myself in the strongest terms in their favour2 and ,i repeat that1 after the public preaching of the ,word1 and the ,lord's ,supper1 ,i believe class-meetings have been the most efficient means of promoting personal and vital piety among the members of the ,wesleyan ,societies4 ,yet ,i am not insensible to the fact that ,mr4 ,wesley found the prototype of this kind of religious exercises1 not in any institution or practice of the ,primitive ,church for fifteen hundred years1 but in a society of ,monks called ,la ,trappe1 whose ardent piety ,mr4 ,wesley greatly admired1 the lives of some of whose members 7such as the ,marquis de ,renty1 etc417 he wrote1 and whose manual of piety 7,imitation of ,jesus ,christ7 he translated and abridged1 for the use of his own ,societies1 and several of whose questions in conducting what may be called their weekly band or class-meetings1 ,mr4 ,wesley adopted1 translated and modified1 for conducting his own meetings of a similar character4 ,these weekly exercises in the ,societ de la ,trappe were eminently instrumental in reforming1 and kindling the name of devotional piety among its members2 and ,mr4 ,wesley found them equally useful among the members of his own ,societies1 and so they have continued till the present time4 ,but will any ,wesleyan minister in ,england or ,canada--will any man of intelligence and honesty--venture to assert that ,mr4 ,wesley ever intended that attendance at such weekly exercises should be an essential condition and fundamental test of membership in the visible ,church of ,god8 ,will any one assert1 or can he believe1 that ,mr4 ,wesley ever could have anticipated1 or supposed1 that such an application would1 or could1 be made of an institution which he expressly stated to be merely prudential1 not essential1 not of divine origin8 ,but ,i am again met with the charge1 on another ground1 of having departed from ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,it is said1 in substance3 ,mr4 ,wesley has committed class-meeting to us as a trust2 it is not for us to inquire into the origin of the institution2 it is our duty to maintain inviolably the trust committed to us--which trust ,dr4 ,ryerson has violated4 ,in reply1 ,i remark that the statement of the question itself is fallacious1 and the charge groundless4 ,in the first place1 the question assumes1 what is contrary to fact1 that ,mr4 ,wesley instituted and committed the trust of class-meetings as a condition of membership in the visible ,church of ,god1 whereas he instituted and transmitted it as a means of grace among the members of a private society in a church4 ,in the next place1 the trust of class-meetings was only one part of a system which ,mr4 ,wesley committed as a trust to his followers4 ,the one part of that trust was as sacred as another1 and the connection of one part with another is essential to the fulfilment of the obligation4 ,now one part of ,mr4 ,wesley's trust1 and that on which he insists ten times more voluminously and vehemently than he ever spoke of class-meetings1 was that his followers should attend the services of the ,church of ,england1 should receive the ordinances of ,baptism and the ,lord's ,supper in it1 should abide in the ,church of ,england1 and that whenever they separated from the ,church of ,england they separated from him4 ,these are so many trusts that ,mr4 ,wesley committed to his followers in ,england1 and on which he insisted as tests of membership in his ,society2 and in connection with these trusts1 he committed the trust of class-meetings--as the observance and practice of members of a private society in the ,church of ,england4 ,have ,dr4 ,bunting and others1 who charge me with being anti-,wesleyan1 fulfilled these trusts committed to them by ,mr4 ,wesley8 ,have they not wholly separated from the ,church of ,england--ordaining their own ministers1 administering the ordinances1 claiming and exercising all the attributes of a ,church1 as much as the authorities of the ,church of ,england herself4 ,and while ,mr4 ,wesley disclaimed exercising the office of excommunicating ,church members1 and denied that admission into or exclusion from his ,societies was admission into or exclusion from the visible ,church of ,christ1 my accusers exercise this authority in the highest degree--confessedly and avowedly admitting into and excluding persons from the visible ,church1 and making the attendance at class-meeting a test of ,church-membership--which ,mr4 ,wesley never believed1 much less authorized4 ,i leave it1 therefore1 to the judgment of every man of common sense to say whether there is the shadow of a reason for the pretensions and charges of my assailants4 ,i am not surprised that ,dr4 ,bunting and others should feel sensitive on the class-meeting test of church-membership1 as it so enormously increases clerical power--the ruling idea of ,dr4 ,bunting's legislation throughout his whole life4 ,it virtually places the membership of each member in the hands of the minister4 ,the quarterly class ticket1 signed by the minister1 is the only proof and title of membership for each member4 ,if the minister withholds this 7and he may be prompted to do so on many grounds1 personal and others1 irrespective of any suspicion1 much less charge1 against the moral or religious character of the member7 the member is deprived of his membership1 and this ,i believe has occurred in more than twenty thousand instances1 in ,england1 during the last six years1 during which period the connection has experienced the lamentable and unprecedented loss of nearly a hundred thousand members1 the fruits of the labours of an age4 ,london1 #eth ,october4--,i know that my brother ,john was not pleased with my letter to ,mr4 ,wood1 read in the ,conference4 ,he told me so on the way to the ,conference2 he wished me to write a short letter1 couched in general terms1 and that the affair might be passed over in the ,conference as quietly as possible--believing that to be the best way to accomplish the object ,i had in view4 ,in this ,i could not agree with him1 and stated that unless received in the terms of my letter1 ,i did not wish to be received at all2 nor did ,i wish the letter read if any opposition were apprehended4 ,what has transpired shows1 ,i think very clearly1 that had ,i not been as explicit as ,i have1 ,i should have been more grossly misrepresented1 and with some degree of plausibility4 ,i am exceedingly glad that ,i wrote as ,i did4 ,it has removed all uncertainty on the subject4 ,there can now be no mistake or misunderstanding4 ,i do not think my friends have been frank with me in not telling me all that has transpired in the ,conference4 ,but it is not worth while to refer to these things now4 ,the question is settled4 ,i shall write to ,dr4 ,beecham on the subject of the remarks reported to have been made in reference to me by ,dr4 ,bunting and ,mr4 ,methley1 in the ,english ,conference1 and respecting my settled and avowed convictions and position--affording him an opportunity of stating how far he and others think such views are consistent with the relations ,i sustain to the ,wesleyan ,body4 ,i shall also advert to the propriety of such men as ,mr4 ,methley1 or any member of the ,english ,conference1 assuming to exercise a censorship over the character of any members of the ,canada ,conference4 ,after receiving ,dr4 ,beecham's answer1 ,i shall finally decide as to my future course4 ,i look upon my connection with the ,wesleyan body as virtually terminated4 ,i have not been in one of their chapels1 or seen one of their ministers1 since ,i left ,america4 ,on seeing1 at ,boston1 what ,mr4 ,spencer had written1 and what was likely to occur1 ,i thought ,i would keep myself entirely aloof until the final issue of the whole affair4 ,london1 #ajth ,october4--,i wrote you on the #eth inst41 under the influence of strong and indignant feelings4 ,but ,i have since calmly1 and with much prayer and many tears1 for days considered the whole matter of ,church relations4 ,i have resolved to stand my ground in my present position1 and fight out the battle with my assailants4 ,in a letter to me1 written a few days afterwards1 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus states the conclusion which he had come to in regard to his remaining in the ,methodist ,church4 ,he said3--,last ,sunday ,i heard a very powerful sermon from ,dr4 ,cumming on1 ,no man liveth to himself1 and no man dieth to himself2 and ,i resolved1 by meditation and prayer1 to come to a conclusion on the subject of my ,church relations1 and future course4 ,i walked1 and wept1 and prayed over the subject from seven till twelve o'clock last night1 and the conclusion at which ,i have now arrived is to stand in my present position and relation1 and maintain my views1 and let my opponents do their worst1 and thrust me out if they will or can4 ,if ,i lived to myself1 that is1 if ,i consulted my taste1 feelings1 personal comforts1 and enjoyments1 ,i could not remain in the ,methodist ,church a week2 ,i have more views and sympathies with the evangelical clergy and members of any ,protestant church than ,i have with such men as ,mr4 ,spencer4 ,but still ,i have1 in the ,providence of ,god1 been called to labour in connection with the ,methodist ,church1 and have been prospered in it2 and ,i think1 all things considered1 ,i can do more good to stand my ground4 ,if ,i do nothing else than secure to ,methodist children and youth the recognition of their rights and privileges1 and the appropriate religious instruction and care1 that point alone will involve more good in the end than all ,i could do in any other section of the ,christian ,church4 ,if ,methodist pulpits should be closed against me1 others will be opened to me in abundance4 ,paris1 #ahth ,october4--,i feel very happy in my own mind since ,i have finally decided upon my future course1 and which1 ,i have no doubt you will think with me1 is1 under all the circumstances1 the best that ,i could take4 ,after the course which has been pursued towards me1 ,i shall be free from all restraints on the matters respecting which they hoped to impose silence4 ,i shall make the ,james ,methleys1 and the ,james ,spencers1 of both the ,english and ,canadian ,conferences1 feel very uncomfortable1 while ,i think ,i shall secure the respect and sympathies of various religious persuasions and parties in ,canada1 and the ultimate accomplishment of the great and divine end ,i have had in view4 ,mr4 ,spencer's remarks that you enclosed are very weak and flat--more so than ,i expected4 ,he speaks of a difference between the ,conference and me4 ,the difference is between him and his abettors 7as individuals7 and me1 not between the ,conference and me4 ,the ,conference has avowedly based its proceedings upon my letter--which is all ,i care for since my letter is published4 ,if the terms of the resolution of the ,conference are not in harmony with the terms of my letter1 that is of no consequence to me now--it is for the judgment or taste of those who wrote it4 ,i am glad to hear that my remarks on ,mr4 ,spencer are favourably received by all my friends4 ,mr4 ,malcolm ,cameron has said that if ,i never wrote another word on the subject ,i had mooted1 or were ,i even to leave the ,body1 the subject would not sleep--it would be taken up by others--it could not sleep--and their attacking me1 and ,i defending myself1 was1 in effect1 discussing the question in the most telling manner4 ,paris1 #hth ,november4--,i am glad to learn that at that period when ,i was undecided1 you entertained the views as to my relations and future course which ,i have at length decided to maintain and pursue4 ,i will stand my ground and battle the affair with my adversaries1 on both sides of the ,atlantic1 to the last4 ,in order to exclude me from the ,conference they must now bring charges against me2 and1 in attempting this1 they will raise a difficulty such as they have never yet encountered1 and will invest the whole question with an interest and importance that they little dream of4 ,indeed1 they have done so already4 ,paris1 #adth ,november4--,i am happy to learn that you also entirely concur in the course ,i have decided to pursue4 ,i care not a fig for all that the parties to whom you refer may do or try to do4 ,i have not a shadow of doubt as to the result4 ,it is most strange that rashness should be attributed to you in the matter4 ,it was the course best calculated to defeat the objects they wish to counteract4 ,i do not think my letters would have appeared at all in the ,guardian had you not pressed the matter as you did2 and had ,i not taken the course ,i did at ,belleville1 the questions could not have been brought before the body as they can and must4 ,i have written a reply to the ,guardian--it contains sixteen pages of letter paper4 ,but after your suggestion1 ,i will keep it another week1 and may1 perhaps1 substitute for it a note making my acknowledgements to the daily press of ,toronto1 and stating my position and intended course of proceedings4 ,i think something of this kind may be best to counteract the misrepresentations which they are no doubt industriously circulating4 ,possibly ,i may not say anything at all1 as you suggest4 ,paris1 #bith ,november4--,i cannot but smile at the pamphlet on the ,class-meeting question1 after it had been declared as the determination of the ,conference that the subject of my letters was not to be agitated4 ,i could not be more effectually aided in what ,i would wish to see accomplished than by such a publication1 as it will afford me an opportunity to re-consider the subject1 and to say what ,i please on the general subject1 and expose every petty sophism and absurdity of my opponents1 and to show what are really the rights of the members of the ,church in more senses than one4 ,the strength of the opposite side of the question is silence and ,conference authority2 the strength of my side is discussion4 ,for one on the opposite side to write and publish a pamphlet is to give up ,conference authority1 and to come upon the ground of reason and ,scripture4 ,it is also an abandonment of the pretence that the question is not a debatable or open one4 ,there being several writers on one side and only one on the other1 gives the latter an advantage4 ,he can point out the variations and weak points of the former1 illustrating the criteria of error and truth4 ,the whole will afford me an opportunity to deal with general principles1 and curiosity and enquiry will be attached to what ,i can say in reply to such efforts to prove me heretical4 ,i look upon all such occurrences as the ways of ,providence to open the way of truth and righteousness4 ,dr4 ,ryerson returned to ,canada in time to attend the ,conference at ,brockville4 ,while there he wrote to me1 on the #fth of ,june1 #ahef3--,mr4 ,spencer has given me notice that1 as ,i have denied and repudiated the terms upon which ,i had been re-admitted into the ,conference1 when my name comes up in the examination of character1 it will be moved that the resolution re-admitting me into the ,conference be rescinded4 ,i am glad of this4 ,it will afford me an opportunity of exposing the conduct of my assailants1 and of entering into the whole question4 ,to-day the subject of class-meetings came up1 by a philippic on the subject by one of the ministers1 in connection with the return of members1 and the manner of administering the ,discipline4 ,i at once accepted the challenge--reiterated my sentiments1 and stated when the time came ,i should be prepared to show that they were founded on the ,scriptures1 the primitive ,church1 the ,fathers of the ,protestant ,reformation1 and such men as ,baxter and ,howe1 down to the present time4 ,what ,i said seemed to be favourably received by a considerable portion of the ,conference4 ,i think the ,spencer clique 7and it is only a clique7 will be disappointed greatly when the affair comes up4 ,i feel that ,i stand upon the ,rock of ,truth4 ,i would that my soul were more fully baptized with the ,spirit of the ,truth1 the principles of which ,i maintain4 ,on the #ith of ,june1 he also wrote as follows3--,this afternoon1 on my name being called1 ,rev4 ,j4 ,borland moved1 seconded by ,rev4 ,w4 ,jeffers1 the following resolution3-- ,resolved1 ,that as ,dr4 ,ryerson has denied the authority of the verbal assurances given in his behalf at the ,conference in ,london1 and repudiated the basis upon which the resolution restoring him to his former standing in the ,conference was founded2 therefore1 all that part of the said resolution which relates to his re-admission be1 and is hereby1 rescinded4 ,when the ,president came to the question as to the examination of character1 he observed that that question was always considered with closed doors1 and intimated to strangers to withdraw4 ,i arose at once1 and said that as far as ,i was concerned1 notice had been given to me of a resolution to exclude me from the ,conference1 and that upon the ground of what had appeared in the public papers--that ,i had been misrepresented and maligned in the official organ of the ,conference--in professed reports of what had taken place in the ,conference1 and ,i demanded1 as a matter of right and equity1 that the proceedings of the ,conference should be public as far as ,i was concerned4 ,a discussion then took place in regard to reporting4 ,i at length moved an amendment that the proceedings of the ,conference should be public as far as ,i was concerned4 ,this was adopted by a large majority1 though voted against by the whole clique hostile to me4 ,several of them made speeches against me4 ,my brother ,john1 ,rev4 ,e4 ,wood1 ,rev4 ,r4 ,jones1 ,dr4 ,green1 as well as others1 stated what was said as to my pledge1 just what ,i had supposed and intended2 and my brother ,john made a most powerful speech1 and scathed ,mr4 ,spencer and others4 ,his references to me were warmly cheered by an evident majority of the ,conference4 ,the cheers to the remarks maligning me seemed to be made by about fifteen or twenty--many less than ,i had supposed4 ,i have no doubt they will be defeated by a very large majority4 ,when the hour of adjournment arrived1 the ,president asked me if ,i wished to make any remarks2 ,i stated to the ,conference ,i was willing to give my assailants the advantage of leaving their strong statements and attacks unrefuted and unnoticed until ,monday morning4 ,a large number of persons were present1 and a strong popular feeling seemed to be excited in my favour4 ,my opponents have themselves in the very position in which ,i have desired to get them1 and ,i shall now have the best possible opportunity of exposing them4 ,at the request of the friends here1 ,i have consented to preach to-morrow evening1 notwithstanding the opposition of the preachers hostile to me4 ,i feel as if ,god the ,lord would help me on this occasion1 notwithstanding my unfaithfulness and unworthiness2 ,he has never failed me in such an extremity4 ,on the following ,monday ,dr4 ,ryerson's case was brought up for discussion4 ,rev4 ,j4 ,borland made a strong appeal on behalf of his resolution4 ,the ,canadian ,independent1 of ,july #afth1 in speaking of the debate said3-- ,mr4 ,borland had not spoken long in support of this before he was interrupted by ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood1 the ,president1 who made this most important declaration1 that-- ,he gave no verbal assurance for1 or in behalf of ,dr4 ,ryerson2 that he received no such assurance from him2 that the document he received from ,dr4 ,ryerson was laid on the table1 and read before the ,conference1 unaccompanied by any verbal statements or assurances of any kind from him4 ,this he afterwards repeated1 when ,rev4 ,j4 ,spencer1 the ,editor of the ,guardian1 re-asserted the giving of such assurances4 ,the co-delegate1 ,rev4 ,j4 ,ryerson1 also said that-- ,he never thought of pledging ,dr4 ,ryerson to silence on any of these questions1 and he was sure the ,conference would not ask him to do so1 as the ,conference never gagged any man4 ,the ,independent then proceeds3-- ,dr4 ,ryerson has been most unfairly treated4 ,he has not denied having made application for re-admission1 but only an application with pledges of silence4 ,the resolutions of ,conference1 in #ahed1 accepting his resignation and warmly acknowledging his past services1 and1 in #ahee1 consenting to his re-admission1 were never communicated to him1 and were suppressed by the ,guardian4 ,this was most unmanly and unjust4#ade ,the matter now before the ,conference was introduced at the ,toronto ,district ,meeting in his absence1 and without notice being given him4#adf ,he uttered some memorable things in his eloquent defence4 ,i believe the true foundation or test of membership in the ,church of ,christ is not the acute angle of a ,class-meeting attendance1 but the broad bases of repentance1 faith1 and holiness4 ,i can have no sympathy with that narrow and exclusive spirit1 the breadth of whose catholicity is that of a goat's track1 and the dimensions of whose charity are those of a needle's point1 whether inculcated by the ,editor of ,the ,church on the one hand1 or by the ,editor of the ,guardian on the other4 ,he would give no pledges1 had no concessions or promises to make2 would be accountable to the rules of the ,church as others1 and would stand in that ,conference on the same footing as other members1 or not at all4 ,while he subscribed to all that had been said as to the utility of ,class-meetings1 and reiterated the grounds on which he had recommended and maintained them2 yet1 on the ground of ,scripture obligation he demurred1 and averred1 in the language of ,mr4 ,wesley1 with whom they originated and who best knew their true position in the ,church1 that they are merely prudential1 not essential1 not of ,divine institution4 ,the ,editor of the ,independent1 in conclusion1 said3-- ,we congratulate ,dr4 ,ryerson on his successful defence4444 ,we should esteem it a dire calamity1 could any dishonour be attached to his name4 ,he is one of the most devoted1 conscientious1 able and successful officers in the public service4 ,in the school system of ,upper ,canada1 he has built for himself an enduring monument1 as a benefactor of the ,province4 ,he is a brave yet courteous champion for some of our most precious rights4 ,may those who watch for his halting be confounded and put to shame6 ,after a reference to some personal matters1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in the course of his remarks1 showed that he was prepared to sacrifice much for the maintenance of the truth4 ,he said3 ,shortly after the occurrence to which ,i have just referred1 an act was got through the ,legislature at the end of the ,session of #ahdi1 which excluded clergymen from visiting the public schools in their official character1 and which would have excluded the ,bible from the schools4 ,what was my conduct on the occasion8 ,why1 ,i forthwith placed my office at the disposal of the ,head of the ,government sooner than administer such a law4 ,the result was the ,government authorized the suspension of the ,act1 and caused its repeal at the next ,session of ,parliament4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the debate lasted over two days1 and was finally closed by the adoption of an amendment by the ,rev4 ,a4 ,hurlburt1 recognizing the application of the previous year as admitted by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and as understood by the ,conference4 ,the amendment was passed by an immense majority1 only #bc out of #aej members present voting against it4 ,,footnotes3 #adc ,dr4 ,ryerson left ,toronto for ,quebec immediately after ,conference1 to confer with the ,government there on matters connected with his ,department4 ,while there he wrote to me a private letter as follows3-- ,at ,mr4 ,attorney-,general ,macdonald's suggestion ,i have been appointed ,honorary ,commissioner at the ,paris exhibition4 ,mr4 ,macdonald also endorsed my recommendation for your appointment as ,deputy ,superintendent with an increased salary4 ,his ,excellency appointed you yesterday according to my recommendation1 and you will be gazetted on ,saturday4444 ,sir ,edmund ,head has given me very flattering letters of introduction to ,lord ,clarendon and ,lord ,john ,russell4444 ,i leave here for ,boston on my way to ,england4444 ,i have no doubt but that you will do all things in the best manner1 and for the best4 ,i fervently pray ,almighty ,god greatly to prosper you1 as well as guide and bless you in your official duties4 #add ,the antagonism between ,mr4 ,spencer 7now ,editor of the ,guardian7 and ,dr4 ,ryerson was of long standing4 ,thirteen years before the date of this attack upon ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,mr4 ,spencer was proposed1 in #ahdb1 as a candidate for a ,mastership in ,victoria ,college4 ,dr4 ,ryerson advised him to attend the ,wesleyan ,university at ,middletown1 ,conn41 so as to fit himself for the post4 ,he did so4 ,but the ,board of ,victoria ,college refused to appoint him4 ,he was very indignant1 and so expressed himself to ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,he afterwards wrote to him a letter 7in #ahdb7 as follows3--,you were no doubt surprised at the remarks ,i made to you1 and perhaps you thought they were unnecessarily harsh and severe1 and made under the momentary impulse of excited feelings4 ,if so1 you are mistaken4 ,i spoke deliberately1 though strongly4 ,you know the circumstances under which1 at your request1 ,i went to the ,college1 and that the situation1 though congenial to my feelings1 was not sought for by me4 ,of the decision of the members of the ,board1 to give the ,principal permission to employ me part of the year1 ,i express my decided disapprobation4 ,now1 ,sir1 ,i consider such a resolution a downright insult4 ,had ,i come before that ,board as a stranger1 or under the character of a mercenary hireling1 and one concerning whose qualifications you were entirely ignorant1 then there would have been some appearance of propriety in making such a proposition1 as a safeguard1 and against imposition4 ,but ,i am a member of that ,conference under whose direction the affairs of that institution are placed2 its interests are closely connected with those of the ,church of which ,i am now1 and expect to remain1 a member4 ,i believed ,i could render greater service to the ,church in labouring to promote the prosperity of that institution4 ,i trust ,i have yet too much of public spirit1 and too ardent a desire for the prosperity of our ,college1 to wish to remain there if my labours were not conducive to its efficiency4 ,but what is the spirit of that resolution8 ,why1 we wish to get rid of you1 and the easiest way to do it is1 to employ you for a specified time1 and then we can dismiss you with propriety4 ,but the absurdity of that resolution is its most prominent feature4 ,i intend1 at the first opportunity1 to express my mind more fully to you personally upon this subject4 ,in one of his letters in this controversy1 ,dr4 ,ryerson thus refers to this ,victoria ,college episode4 ,he says3 ,in regard to ,mr4 ,spencer1 ,i am aware of his feelings toward me during these many years2 ever since he failed to procure an appointment to the ,chair of ,chemistry and ,natural ,philosophy in ,victoria ,college1 for which he had devoted a year of special preparation4 ,i believe he has attributed his disappointment to me1 and that ,i had not acted toward him in a brotherly way1 in not securing his appointment1 as he supposed ,i could have done from my connection with the ,college4 ,the fact was1 ,i recommended his appointment1 at least for a trial1 but my recommendation was not concurred in by any other member of the ,board1 as ,dr4 ,green and others know4 #ade ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in his speech at the ,brockville ,conference1 referring to this omission1 said3--,the ,conference passed a resolution complimentary and affectionate towards myself1 and expressive of its high sense of my long services in defending the rights and advocating the interests of the ,connexion4 ,the copy of that resolution has never been communicated to me to this day2 ,mr4 ,spencer suppressed the publication of it in the ,guardian1 and thus defeated the noble and generous intentions of the great majority of the ,conference in regard to myself4 #adf ,to this proceeding1 ,dr4 ,ryerson also referred in his speech as follows3--,how did my opponents bring up their charge against me8 ,did they inform the defendant of the approaching ordeal1 and secure his presence in an ecclesiastical court prior to his attempted execution8 ,no1 ,sir2 the defendant obeys the call of duty1 at personal sacrifice1 to attend to a meeting of the senate and annual public exercises of the students of ,victoria ,college2 and1 while absent1 these professed advocates of ,methodistic rule1 arraign him without notice1 and seek to get a resolution passed against him4 ,is that ,methodism8 ,is that old ,methodism8 ,if these1 my assailants1 believe1 as they say1 that the interests of the ,church will be greatly promoted by my expulsion1 then let them do it on ,methodistic principles4 ,now1 although ,i was well aware that they were opposed to me personally1 yet ,i thought1 though ,i was absent from the district meeting1 they would treat me1 at least1 honourably4 ,if ,i had done wrong1 let them accuse me--give me a specific charge and due notice of trial1 and let me prepare for my defence4 ,this would be the manly course--this would be ,methodism2 and if ,i had committed no offence1 if no charge could be brought against me1 why seek to exclude me from this body without a charge and without a crime8 ,is not this course opposed to all proceedings of civil and ecclesiastical tribunals1 and to every principle of civil and religious liberty--to true ,protestant freedom and to genuine ,methodism1 whether new or old8 ,,chapter ,,lvii4 #ahed-ahef4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,third ,educational ,tour in ,europe4 ,while in ,europe in #ahed and #ahef1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 under the authority of the ,government1 commenced the collection of objects of art for the ,educational ,museum in the ,education ,department4 ,while there he met ,hon4 ,malcolm ,cameron1 who after ,dr4 ,ryerson returned to ,canada1 wrote to him from ,london on the subject of his mission4 ,in a letter1 dated #crd of ,january1 #aheg1 ,mr4 ,cameron said3-- ,i have myself witnessed the result of the labour and reading which you must have gone through with in order to obtain the information and cultivation of judgment necessary to get the things our young ,canada can afford2 things1 too1 of such a character and description as shall be useful1 not only in elevating the taste of our youth1 but of increasing their historical and mythological lore1 as well as inform them of the facts of their accuracy in size and form4 ,i was much flattered to find that my humble efforts to begin1 in some degree1 a ,canadian gallery--by securing a few of ,paul ,kane's pictures in #ahea--;had been followed up by you in your universally-acknowledged enlightened efforts for education1 which 7in my bitterest moments of alienation from you1 for what ,i esteemed a sacrifice of ,canadian freedom1 and right to self-government71 ,i have ever cheerfully admitted4 ,your determination to obtain a few works of art and statuary1 a few paintings1 prints of celebrities1 and scientific instruments1 has cost you much labour1 anxiety and thought1 which ,i never would have conceived of had ,i not met you1 and gone with you1 and seen your notes and correspondence4 ,you have passed through many trials1 and in most of them ,i was with you4 ,the period that presses on my mind 7as ,lord ,elgin said of ,montreal71 ,i do not want to remember4 ,god grant that we may see1 in all matters for the rest of our few days1 eye to eye1 as we do now on all the subjects in which you are now engaged1 publicly and privately4 ,i think ,god is with you1 and directing you aright in that ,conference matter which is nearest to your heart1 and ,i am confident that you will have a signal triumph4 ,dr4 ,ryerson has written the following account of a distinguished physician whom he met at ,rome3-- ,one of the most remarkable men with whom ,i became acquainted in ,italy1 in my tour there in #ahef-g1 was ,dr4 ,pantelioni1 a scholar1 physician1 patriot1 and statesman2 to whose character and banishment from ,rome the ,london ,times' newspaper devoted about three columns4 ,prefatory to the circumstances of my acquaintance with this remarkable man1 ,i may observe1 that when in ,england in #ahej-a1 ,i had a good deal of correspondence with ,earl ,grey1 who was then ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 and through whom ,i was able to procure maps1 globes1 and essential text-books for ,canadian schools1 at a discount of forty-three per cent4 from the published selling prices4 ,earl ,grey was much pleased in being the instrument of so much good to the cause of public education in ,canada2 wrote to the ,english booksellers and got their consent to the arrangement1 shewed me much kindness1 and invited me to dine at his residence1 in company with some distinguished ,english statesmen1 among whom was ,sir ,charles ,wood 7afterwards a peer71 and the late ,marquis of ,lansdowne1 the ,nestor of ,english statesmen1 and beside whom ,i was seated at dinner4 ,the ,countess of ,grey shewed me many kind attentions1 and the ,marquis of ,lansdowne invited me to call the next day at ,lansdowne ,house1 and explain to him the ,canadian system of education1 as he was the ,chairman of the ,privy ,council ,committee on ,education1 and wished to know what had been done1 and what might be done for the education of the labouring classes4 ,i called at ,lansdowne ,house1 as desired1 and explained as briefly and clearly as possible the ,canadian school system1 its popular comprehensiveness and fairness to all parties1 its ,christian1 yet non-sectarian1 character4 ,at the conclusion of my remarks1 the noble ,marquis observed1 ,i cannot conceive a greater blessing to ,england than the introduction into it of the ,canadian school system2 but1 from our historical traditions and present state of society1 all we can do is to aid by ,parliamentary grants the cause of popular education through the agency of voluntary associations and religious denominations4 ,five years afterwards1 in another educational tour in ,europe1 myself and daughter spent some months at the ,paris ,exhibition in #ahee4 ,the ,earl and ,countess of ,grey1 seeing our names on the ,canadian ,book of the ,exhibition1 called and left their cards at our hotel4 ,we returned the call the following day1 when the ,earl and ,countess told us they had an aunt at ,rome devoted to the fine arts1 who would have great pleasure in assisting us to select copies of great masters for our ,canadian ,educational ,museum2 that they would write to her1 and1 if we left our cards with her on our arrival1 she would gladly receive us4 ,we did so1 and1 in less than an hour after1 we received a most friendly letter from ,lady ,grey1 saying that she had been expecting and waiting for us for some time1 and writing us to come to her residence that evening1 as she had invited a few friends4#adg ,in the course of the evening1 ,i was introduced to ,dr4 ,pantelioni with this remark1 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 if you should become ill1 you cannot fall into better hands than those of ,dr4 ,pantelioni4 ,i replied that ,i was glad to make his personal acquaintance1 but hoped ,i should not need his professional services4 ,but the very next day ,i was struck down in the ,vatican while examining the celebrated painting of ,raphael's ,transfiguration and ,dominichino's ,last ,communion of ,st4 ,jerome1 with a cruel attack of lumbago and sciatica1 rendering it necessary for four men to convey me down the long stairway to my carriage1 and from thence to my room in the hotel1 where ,i was confined for some three weeks1 requiring three men for some days to turn me in bed4 ,language cannot describe the agony ,i experienced during that period4 ,dr4 ,pantelioni was sent for1 and attended me daily for three weeks1 and never charged me more than a dollar a visit4 ,after two or three visits1 finding that ,i was otherwise well1 and had knowledge of government and civil affairs in ,europe and ,america1 he entered into conversation with me on these subjects4 ,i found him to be one of the most generally read and enlightened men that ,i had met with on the ,continent4 ,he frequently remained from one to three hours conversing with me2 and in the course of these frequent and lengthened visits1 ,dr4 ,pantelioni related the following facts3 #ast4 ,that he was one of the liberal party in ,rome that opposed the despotism of the ,papal government1 and contributed to its overthrow1 when ,garibaldi for a time became supreme at ,rome4 #bnd4 ,that he1 with many other liberals1 became convinced that the government which ,garibaldi would inaugurate1 would be little better than a mob1 and would be neither stable nor safe4 7,garibaldi was a bold and skilful party leader1 but no statesman4 ,i witnessed his presence in the ,italian ,legislature1 then held in ,florence2 he could declaim against government1 and find fault1 with individual acts2 but he seemed to have no system of government in his own mind1 and commanded little respect or attention after his first speech47 #crd4 ,dr4 ,pantelioni stated1 that under these circumstances1 he1 with several liberal friends1 agreed to go confidentially to the ,pope1 who was then an exile at ,gaeta1 and offer their offices and influence to restore him to power at ,rome1 provided he would establish a constitutional government1 and govern as a constitutional ruler4 ,the pope agreed to their propositions1 but when they reduced them to writing for his signature1 and those of the gentlemen waiting upon him1 he declined to sign his name2 in consequence of which ,dr4 ,pantelioni and his friends felt they had no sufficient ground upon their own individual word1 without a scrap of writing from the pen of the pope1 to influence their friends1 and risk their lives2 they1 therefore1 retired from the presence of his holiness1 disappointed but not dishonored4 #dth ,on my recovery ,dr4 ,pantelioni invited me to visit him at his residence4 ,i did so and found him possessed of the best private library ,i had seen in ,italy1 or even on the continent4 ,it filled three1 large rooms2 one of which contained books 7well arranged7 of general history and literature1 comprising the latest standard works in ,english 7published both in ,england and ,america71 ,french1 ,german1 ,italian and ,spanish4 ,the second room was equally filled with shelves and books1 beautifully arranged1 on medical and scientific subjects of the latest date1 and highest authority1 in ,english1 ,french1 ,italian1 ,german1 and ,spanish1 c4 ,the third room contained a fine and extensive collection of the latest standard works which had been published in ,england and the ,united ,states1 ,france1 ,spain1 ,germany1 and ,italy1 on ,civil ,government4 ,i was not before aware that the ,italian language was so rich in political literature4 ,i selected the titles1 and ordered several books in that language for myself4 #eth4 ,in the course of these conversations1 ,dr4 ,pantelioni related the efforts of himself and friends to establish a constitutional government1 despairing1 as they did1 of any competence of the ,garibaldi party to establish such a government4 ,a deputation 7of whom ,dr4 ,pantelioni was one7 went from ,rome to ,florence to consult the ,right ,honourable ,richard ,shiel1 then the ,british ,ambassador1 or representative of the ,british ,government1 at ,florence1 as the ,british ,government had no diplomatic relations with ,rome4 ,mr4 ,shiel asked them what they wanted8 ,they replied1 nothing more than the protection of the ,british ,government for twelve months1 during which time they could establish a just and safe government1 if protected from the interference of other governments4 ,mr4 ,shiel agreed to support their views1 and ,dr4 ,pantelioni and one or two others of the deputation took letters from ,mr4 ,shiel on the subject to the late ,viscount ,palmerston and ,lord ,john ,russell1 who encouraged their undertaking1 entirely agreeing with the recommendations of ,mr4 ,shiel1 who1 although a ,roman ,catholic1 was a constitutional liberal4 ,but it unfortunately happened that on the very day on which ,dr4 ,pantelioni and his friends1 after their mission to ,england1 had intended to carry their plans into operation1 the ,french army landed at ,civita ,vecchia1 and having subdued the ,garibaldi party at ,rome1 restored the ,pope to the ,vatican1 with all his former pretensions and power4 #fth4 ,some time afterwards1 when the ,king of ,italy overran the ,papal territories1 ,dr4 ,pantelioni was nominated to the ,italian ,legislature for one of the new electoral divisions1 but declined at once the acceptance of the nomination1 and sent his resignation by the first post1 well knowing the effect it might have upon his personal safety and interests at ,rome1 which was still under the rule of the ,pope4 ,but the partiality shown to ,dr4 ,pantelioni by his newly enfranchised fellow-countrymen enraged the ,court of ,rome1 which banished him from his city and country on a notice of only twenty-four hours6 ,the ,london ,times newspaper devoted some two articles to ,dr4 ,pantelioni's history and banishment1 eulogizing him in the strongest terms4 #gth4 ,dr4 ,pantelioni then took up his abode at ,nice1 in the south of ,france1 and there pursued his profession4 ,some years afterward1 when making my last educational tour on the ,continent in #ahfg1 ,i stopped a day with my son at ,nice1 and learned that there was an ,italian physician residing there1 an exile from ,rome4 ,i knew it must be my old physician and friend1 and immediately called upon him4 ,we were1 of course1 both delighted to see each other again2 and he invited myself and son to spend the evening at his house1 which we did4 ,he had1 since ,i saw him at ,rome1 married an ,english lady1 who seemed in every respect worthy of him4 ,when in the course of the evening ,i expressed my sympathy with him in his exile1 privation of his beautiful residence and fine library1 he replied with energy1 bringing his hand down strongly on the table1 ,i have such faith in the principles on which ,i have acted1 and in the providence of ,god1 that ,i shall just as surely go back to ,rome1 as that ,i am sure ,i am now talking to you4 ,some one or two years afterwards ,i learned from the newspapers1 that ,dr4 ,pantelioni had been recalled to ,rome by the ,king of ,italy1 and appointed to the head of all the ,roman ,hospitals4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in a letter from ,dr4 ,ryerson dated ,london1 #cjth ,october1 #aheg1 he said3 ,on the #bhth inst4 we witnessed the consecration of ,dr4 ,cronyn as ,bishop of ,huron1 and were afterwards invited to lunch with the ,archbishop of ,canterbury4 ,several bishops were present4 ,afterwards we went with ,dr4 ,cronyn to ,woolwich1 and dined with him at his son-in-law's 7,col4 ,burrows74 ,,footnotes3 #adg ,these evening parties are conversazioni on a small scale4 ,there were no suppers1 but cups of tea and biscuits1 chiefly for ladies2 the gentlemen did not take off their gloves or sit down1 but kept their hats in their hands or under their arms4 ,we were introduced to1 and conversed with various parties4 ,lady ,grey seemed to be ubiquitous1 and to know everybody1 and to make all feel at home4 ,she is the widow of ,general ,grey1 and is said to have been in early days a belle and bright star in the highest ,london society4 ,,chapter ,,lviii4 #ahei-ahfb4 ,denominational ,colleges and the ,university ,controversy4 ,one of the most memorable controversies in which ,dr4 ,ryerson was engaged was that on behalf of the ,denominational ,colleges of ,upper ,canada4 ,unfortunately1 at various stages of the discussion1 the controversy partook largely of a personal character4 ,this prevented that clear1 calm1 and dispassionate consideration of the whole of this important question to which it was entitled1 and hence1 in one sense1 no good result accrued4 ,such a question as this was worthy of a better fate4 ,for at that stage of our history it was a momentous one--worthy of a thoughtful1 earnest and practical solution--a solution of which it was then capable1 had it been taken up by wise1 far-seeing and patriotic statesmen4 ,but the opportunity was unfortunately lost2 and in the anxiety in some cases to secure a personal triumph1 a grand movement to give practical effect to somewhat like the comprehensive university scheme of the ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin1 of #ahdc1 failed4 ,mr4 ,baldwin's proposal of that year was defeated by the defenders of ,king's ,college1 as a like scheme of twenty years later was defeated by the champions of the ,toronto ,university4 ,the final result of the painful struggle of #ahei-ahfc was in effect as follows3-- #a4 ,things were chiefly left in statu quo ante bellum4 #b4 ,an impetus was given to the denominational college principle2 and that principle was emphasized4 #c4 ,colleges with university powers were multiplied in the province4 #d4 ,life and energy were infused into the denominational colleges4 #e4 ,apathy and indifference prevailed 7and1 to some extent1 still prevails7 among the adherents of the ,provincial ,university4 ,i have already stated that the issues raised in the memorable university contest of #ahei-ahfc were important4 ,so they were1 as after events have proved4 ,the question1 however1 was unfortunately decided twenty years ago1 not by an independent1 impartial and disinterested tribunal1 but by the parties in possession1 whose judgment in the case would naturally be in their own favour4 ,besides1 members of the ,government at the time felt no real interest in the question1 and were glad1 under the shelter of official statements and opinions1 to escape collision with such powerful bodies as the ,wesleyan ,methodists and the ,church of ,scotland4 ,this discussion originated in the presentation to the ,legislature of a memorial from the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,conference1 prepared by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,november1 #ahei1 to the following effect3-- ,that the ,legislature in passing the ,provincial ,university ,act of #ahec1 clearly proposed and avowed a threefold object4 ,first1 the creation of a ,university for examining candidates1 and conferring degrees in the ,faculties of ,arts1 ,law1 and ,medicine4 ,secondly1 the establishment of an elevated curriculum of ,university education1 conformable to that of the ,london ,university in ,england4 ,thirdly1 the association with the ,provincial ,university of the several colleges already established1 and which might be established1 in ,upper ,canada1 with the ,provincial ,university1 the same as various colleges of different denominations in ,great ,britain and ,ireland are affiliated to the ,london ,university--placed as they are upon equal footing in regard to and aid from the state1 and on equal footing in regard to the composition of the ,senate1 and the appointment of examiners4 ,in the promotion of these objects the ,conference and members of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church cordially concurred2 and at the first meeting after the passing of the ,university ,act1 the ,senatorial ,board of ,victoria ,college adopted the programme of collegiate studies established by the ,senate of the ,london ,university1 and referred to in the ,canadian ,statute4 ,but it soon appeared that the ,senate of the ,toronto ,university1 instead of giving effect to the liberal intentions of the ,legislature1 determined to identify the ,university with one college1 in contradistinction and to the exclusion of all others1 to establish a monopoly of senatorial power and public revenue for one college alone2 so much so1 that a majority of the legal quorum of the ,senate now consists of the professors of one college1 one of whom is invariably one of the two examiners of their own students1 candidates for degrees1 honors1 and scholarships4 ,the curriculum of the ,university studies1 instead of being elevated and conformed to that of the ,london ,university1 has been revised and changed three times since #ahec1 and reduced by options and otherwise below what it was formerly1 and below what it is in the ,british ,universities1 and below what it is in the best colleges in the ,united ,states4 ,the effect of this narrow and anti-liberal course is1 to build up one ,college at the expense of all others1 and to reduce the standard of a ,university degree in both ,arts and ,medicine below what it was before the passing of the ,university ,act in #ahec4 ,instead of confining the expenditure of funds to what the law prescribed--namely1 the current expenses1 and such permanent improvements or additions to the buildings as might be necessary for the purposes of the ,university and ,university ,college--new buildings have been erected at an expenditure of some hundreds of thousands of dollars1 and the current expenses of the ,college have been increased far beyond what they were in former times of complaint and investigation on this subject4 ,your memorialists therefore submit1 that in no respect have the liberal and enlightened intentions of the ,legislature in passing the ,university ,act been fulfilled--a splendid but unjust monopoly for the city and college of ,toronto having been created1 instead of a liberal and elevated system1 equally fair to all the colleges of the country4 ,a ,provincial ,university should be what its name imports1 and what was clearly intended by the ,legislature--a body equally unconnected with1 and equally impartial to every college in the country2 and every college should be placed on equal footing in regard to public aid according to its works1 irrespective of place1 sect1 or party4 ,it is as unjust to propose1 as it is unreasonable to expect1 the affiliation of several colleges in one ,university except on equal terms4 ,there have been ample funds to enable the ,senate to submit to the ,government a comprehensive and patriotic recommendation to give effect to the liberal intentions of the ,legislature in the accomplishment of these objects2 but the ,senate has preferred to become the sole patron of one college to the exclusion of all others1 and to absorb and expend the large and increasing funds of the ,university1 instead of allowing any surplus to accumulate for the general promotion of academical education1 as contemplated and specifically directed by the statute4 ,not only has the annual income of the ,university endowment been reduced some thousands of pounds per annum by vast expenditures for the erection of buildings not contemplated by the ,act1 but a portion of those expenditures is for the erection of lecture-rooms1 c41 for the ,faculties of which the ,act expressly forbids the establishment6 ,but whilst your memorialists complain that the very intentions of this ,act have thus been disregarded and defeated1 we avow our desire to be the same now as it was more than ten years ago1 in favour of the establishment of a ,provincial ,university1 unconnected with any one college or religious persuasion1 but sustaining a relation of equal fairness and impartiality to the several religious persuasions and colleges1 with power to prescribe the curriculum1 to examine candidates1 and confer degrees1 in the ,faculties of ,arts1 ,law1 and ,medicine4 ,we also desire that the ,university ,college at ,toronto should be efficiently maintained2 and for that purpose we should not object that the minimum of its income from the ,university ,endowment should be even twice that of any other college2 but it is incompatible with the very idea of a national ,university1 intended to embrace the several colleges of the nation1 to lavish all the endowment and patronage of the state upon one college1 to the exclusion of all others4 ,at the present time1 and for years past1 the noble ,university ,endowment is virtually expended by parties directly or indirectly connected with but one college2 and the scholarships and prizes1 the honors and degrees conferred1 are virtually the rewards and praises bestowed by professors upon their own students1 and not the doings and decisions of a body wholly unconnected with the college4 ,degrees and distinctions thus conferred1 however much they cost the country1 cannot possess any higher literary value1 as they are of no more legal value1 than those conferred by the ,senatus ,academicus of the other chartered colleges4 ,it is therefore submitted that if it is desired to have one ,provincial ,university1 the corresponding arrangement should be made to place each of the colleges on equal footing according to their works in regard to everything emanating from the state4 ,and if it is refused to place these colleges on equal footing as colleges of one ,university1 it is but just and reasonable that they should be placed upon equal footing in regard to aid from the state1 according to their works as separate ,university colleges4 ,it is well known that it is the natural tendency1 as all experience shows1 that any college independent of all inspection1 control1 or competition in wealth--all its officers securely paid by the state1 independent of exertion or success--will in a short time1 as a general rule1 degenerate into inactivity1 indifference1 and extravagance4 ,in collegiate institutions1 as well as in the higher and elementary schools1 and in other public and private affairs of life1 competition is an important element of efficiency and success4 ,the best system of collegiate1 as of elementary education1 is that in which voluntary effort is developed by means of public aid4 ,it is clearly both the interest and duty of the state to prompt and encourage individual effort in regard to collegiate1 as in regard to elementary1 education and not to discourage it by the creation of a monopoly invidious and unjust on the one side1 and on the other deadening to all individual effort and enterprise1 and oppressive to the state4 ,we submit1 therefore1 that justice and the best interests of liberal education require the several colleges of the country to be placed upon equal footing according to their works4 ,we ask nothing for ,victoria ,college which we do not ask for every collegiate institution in ,upper ,canada upon the same terms4 ,we desire also that it may be distinctly understood that we ask no aid towards the support of any theological school or theological chair in ,victoria ,college4 ,there is no such chair in ,victoria ,college2 and whenever one shall be established1 provision will be made for its support independent of any grant from the state4#adh ,we claim support for ,victoria ,college according to its works as a literary institution--as teaching those branches which are embraced in the curriculum of a liberal education1 irrespective of denominational theology4 ,we also disclaim any sympathy with the motives and objects which have been attributed by the advocates of ,toronto ,college monopoly1 in relation to our ,national ,school system4 ,the fact that a member of our own body has been permitted by the annual approbation of the ,conference to devote himself to the establishment and extension of our school system1 is ample proof of our approval of that system3 in addition to which we have from time to time expressed our cordial support of it by formal resolutions1 and by the testimony and example of our more than four hundred ministers throughout the ,province4 ,no religious community in ,upper ,canada has1 therefore1 given so direct and effective support to the ,national ,school system as the ,wesleyan community1 but we have ever maintained1 and we submit1 that the same interests of general education for all classes which require the maintenance of the elementary school system require a reform in our ,university system in order to place it on a foundation equally comprehensive and impartial1 and not to be the patron and mouthpiece of one college alone2 and the same consideration of fitness1 economy and patriotism which justify the state in co-operating with each school municipality to support a day school1 require it to co-operate with each religious persuasion1 according to its own educational works1 to support a college4 ,the experience of all ,protestant countries shows that it is1 and has been1 as much the province of a religious persuasion to establish a college as it is for a school municipality to establish a day school2 and the same experience shows that1 while pastoral and parental care can be exercised for the religious instruction of children residing at home and attending a day school1 that care cannot be exercised over youth residing away from home and pursuing their higher education except in a college where the pastoral and parental care can be daily combined4 ,we hold that the highest interests of the country1 as of an individual1 are its religious and moral interests2 and we believe there can be no heavier blow dealt out against those religious and moral interests1 than for the youth of a country destined to receive the best literary education1 to be placed1 during the most eventful years of that educational course1 without the pale of daily parental and pastoral instruction and oversight4 ,the results of such a system must1 sooner or later1 sap the religious and moral foundations of society4 ,for such is the tendency of our nature1 that with all the appliances of religious instruction and ceaseless care by the parent and pastor2 they are not always successful in counteracting evil propensities and temptations2 and therefore1 from a system which involves the withdrawal or absence of all such influence for years at a period when youthful passions are strongest1 and youthful temptations most powerful1 we cannot but entertain painful apprehensions4 ,many a parent would deem it his duty to leave his son without the advantages of a liberal education1 rather than thus expose him to the danger of moral shipwreck in its acquirement4 ,this danger does not so much apply to that very considerable class of persons whose home is in ,toronto2 or to those young men whose character and principles are formed1 and who1 for the most part1 are pursuing their studies by means acquired by their own industry and economy2 or to the students of theological institutions established in ,toronto1 and to which the ,university ,college answers the convenient purpose of a free ,grammar ,school1 in certain secular branches4 ,but such cases form the exceptions1 and not the general rule4 ,and if one college at ,toronto is liberally endowed for certain classes who have themselves contributed or done nothing to promote liberal education1 we submit that in all fairness1 apart from moral patriotic considerations1 the state ought to aid with corresponding liberality those other classes who for years have contributed largely to erect and sustain collegiate institutions1 and who while they endeavour to confer upon youth1 as widely as possible1 the advantages of a sound liberal education1 seek to incorporate with it those moral influences1 associations1 and habits which give to education its highest value1 which form the true basis and cement of civil institutions and national civilization1 as well as of individual character and happiness4 ,the various statements and propositions in this memorial were fully and ably discussed on both sides at the time before a ,committee of the ,legislature4 ,the discussion itself and voluminous papers and documents on either side were published in pamphlet form and in the newspapers1 so that no further reference to them is necessary4 ,the only other point raised in the discussion which is not mentioned in the memorial1 is one on which ,dr4 ,ryerson has expressed himself clearly4 ,that is the relations of denominational colleges to the national system of public schools4 ,on that point he says3-- ,the denominational collegiate system which ,i advocate is in harmony with the fundamental principles of our ,common ,school system4444 ,the fundamental principle of the school system is two-fold4 ,first1 the right of the parent and pastor to provide religious instruction for their children2 and to have facilities for that purpose4 ,while the law protects each pupil from compulsory attendance at any religious reading or exercise against the wish of his parent2 it also provides that within that limitation pupils shall be allowed to receive such religious instruction as their parents and guardians shall desire1 according to the general regulations which shall be provided according to law4 ,the general regulations provide that the parent may make discretionary arrangements with the teacher on the subject2 and that the clergyman of any ,church shall have the right to any school house being within his charge for one hour in the week between four and five1 for the religious instruction of the pupils of his own ,church4 ,be it observed1 then1 the supreme right of the parent1 and the corresponding right of the pastor in regard to the religious instruction of youth1 even in connexion with day schools1 where children are with their parents more than half of each week day1 and the whole of each ,sunday1 is a fundamental principle of the ,common ,school system4 ,the less or greater extent to which the right may be exercised in various places1 does not affect the principles or right itself1 which is fundamental in the system4 ,the second fundamental principle in the school system is the co-operation and aid of the ,state with each locality or section of the community as a condition of1 and in proportion to local effort4 ,this is a vital principle of the school system1 and pervades it throughout1 and is a chief element of its success4 ,no public aid is given until a school house is provided1 and a legally qualified teacher is employed1 when public aid is given in proportion to the work done in the school2 that is1 in proportion to the number of children taught1 and the length of time the school is kept open2 and public aid is given for the purpose of school maps and apparatus1 the prize books and libraries1 in proportion to the amount provided from local sources4 ,to the application of that principle between the ,state and the inhabitants of localities there is no exception whatever1 except in the single case of distributing a sum not exceeding #ejj per annum in aid of poor school sections in new townships1 and then their local effort must precede the application for a special grant4 ,such are the two fundamental principles of the school system1 on which ,i have more than once dwelt at large in official reports4 ,now apply these principles to the collegiate system of the country4 ,first1 the united right and duty of the parent and pastor4 ,should that be suspended when the son is away from home1 or should it be provided for8 ,let parental affection and conscience1 and not blind or heartless partisanship1 reply4 ,if1 then1 the combined care and duty of the parent and pastor are to be provided for as far as possible when the son is pursuing the higher part of his education1 for which he must leave home1 can that be done best in a denominational or non-denominational ,college8 ,but one answer can be given to this question4 ,the religious and moral principles1 feelings1 and habits of youth are paramount4 ,scepticism and partisanship may sneer at them as sectarian1 but religion and conscience will hold them as supreme4 ,if the parent has the right to secure the religious instruction and oversight of his son at home1 in connection with his school education1 has he not a right to do so when his son is abroad8 and is not the ,state in duty bound to afford him the best facilities for that purpose8 ,and how can that be done so effectually--nay1 how can it be effectually done at all--except in a college which1 while it gives the secular education required by the ,state1 responds to the parent's heart and faith to secure the higher interests which are beyond all human computation1 and without the cultivation of which society itself cannot exist8 ,it is a mystery of mysteries1 that men of conscience1 men of religious principle and feeling1 can be so far blinded by sectarian jealousy and partizanship1 as to desire for one moment to withhold from youth at the most feeble1 most tempted1 most eventful period of their educational training1 the most potent guards1 helps1 and influences to resist and escape the snares and seductions of vice1 and to acquire and become established in those principles1 feelings1 and habits which will make them true ,christians1 at the same time that they are educated men4 ,even in the interests of civilization itself1 what is religious and moral stands far before what is merely scholastic and refined4 ,the ,hon4 ,edward ,everett has truly said in a late address1 ,it is not political nor military power1 but moral sentiments1 principally under the guidance and influence of religious zeal1 that has in all ages civilized the world4 ,what creates civilization can alone preserve and advance it4 ,the great question1 after all1 in the present discussion1 is not which system will teach the most classics1 mathematics1 etc4 7although ,i shall consider the question in this light presently71 but which system will best protect1 develop1 and establish those higher principles of action1 which are vastly more important to a country itself--apart from other and immortal considerations--than any amount of intellectual attainments in certain branches of secular knowledge4 ,colleges under religious control may fall short of their duty and their power of religious and moral influence2 but they must be1 as a general rule1 vastly better and safer than a ,college of no religious control or character at all4 ,at all events1 one class of citizens have much more valid claims to public aid for a ,college that will combine the advantages of both secular and religious education1 than have another class of citizens to public aid for a ,college which confers no benefit beyond secular teaching alone4 ,it is not the sect1 it is society at large that most profits by the high religious principles and character of its educated men4 ,an efficient religious ,college must confer a much greater benefit upon the ,state than a non-religious ,college can1 and must be more the benefactor of the ,state than the ,state can be to it by bestowing any ordinary amount of endowment4 ,it is1 therefore1 in harmony with the first fundamental principle of the ,common ,school system1 as well as with the highest interests of society at large1 that the best facilities be provided for all that is affectionate in the parent and faithful in the pastor1 during the away-from-home education of youth2 and that is a ,college under religious control1 whether that control be of the ,church of the parent or not4 ,i have already given on page #cdd1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's opinions in regard to the provisions of ,hon4 ,robert ,baldwin's ,university ,bill of #ahdc4 ,from the extract there inserted it will be seen that the practical objection which he raised in #ahei1 to the administration of the ,university ,act of #ahec1 was in general harmony with the views and opinions on ,university matters which he had expressed fifteen or sixteen years before4 ,a fuller expression of these opinions was given in a letter which ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to the ,british ,colonist on the #adth of ,february1 #ahdf4 ,from that letter ,i make the following extracts3-- ,the ,board of ,victoria ,college took no part in the ,university question until after the introduction of a ,bill into the ,legislature which affected the chartered rights and relations of ,victoria ,college4 ,on that occasion a special meeting of the ,board was called1 to decide whether it would1 under any circumstances1 acquiesce in that ,bill1 and upon what terms4 ,the ,board expressed a strong opinion in favour of the general terms of the ,bill1 but expressed an unfavourable opinion respecting some of its details1 especially the project of the ,extra mural ,board1 and the non-recognition of ,christianity4 ,the ,board also objected to the smallness of the amount proposed to be given to ,victoria ,college4 ,it stated that ,victoria ,college1 having been erected by public subscription1 for the purpose of teaching the various branches of science and literature upon ,christian principles1 could not cease to be a literary institution1 as some supposed the ,bill contemplated2 it stated the peculiar hardships of the aspect of the ,bill to the ,methodist institution1 under all the circumstances 7which it explained71 and submitted them to the honourable and generous consideration of the ,government4444 ,mr4 ,baldwin's ,bill proposed to grant the sum of #ejj per annum each for several years to no less than four seminaries besides the ,university4444 ,it was objected to on the part of both ,presbyterians and ,methodists1 that its application to them was not liberal enough2 it was objected to on the part of ,king's ,college ,council that it gave even a farthing to any of them4 ,afterwards ,king's ,college ,council objected to the ,bill1 and employed counsel to oppose it1 on the ground that the ,legislature had no right to interfere with their charter1 or to divert any portion of ,king's ,college funds in aid of other institutions4 ,to this plea of the ,king's ,college ,council an individual member of the ,victoria ,college ,board offered an argumentative reply1 contending that the endowment of ,king's ,college was the property of the ,province1 and upon legal1 constitutional1 and equitable grounds1 came within the limits of ,provincial legislation4 ,this principle1 ,i believe1 is now generally admitted4 ,from this summary of well known facts it is evident--#a4 ,that ,mr4 ,baldwin's ,bill did contemplate giving aid to other institutions than the ,toronto ,university4 #b4 ,that the friends of ,queen's1 ,regiopolis1 ,victoria and ,king's ,colleges did expect to derive assistance from the ,university funds4 #c4 ,that the objections to ,mr4 ,baldwin's ,bill on the part of the ,presbyterians and ,methodists were1 not that any portion of the ,university funds should be applied in aid of their institutions1 but that the portion proposed was entirely too small4 #d4 ,that those who supported ,mr4 ,baldwin's ,bill cannot consistently object to aid being given from the ,university funds to institutions in connection with the ,church of ,england1 ,roman ,catholics and ,methodists4 ,the amount and duration of such aid is a mere prudential consideration2 the principle is the same1 whether the amount of aid be five hundred or five thousand pounds1 whether the duration be five years or five hundred years4444 ,that there should be a ,provincial ,university1 furnishing the highest academical and professional education1 at least in respect to law and medicine2 that there should be a ,provincial system of common school education1 commensurate with the wants of the entire population2 that both the ,university and the system should be established and conducted upon ,christian principles1 yet free from sectarian bias or ascendancy2 that there should be an intermediate class of seminaries in connection with the different religious persuasions1 who have ability and enterprise to establish them1 providing on the one hand a theological education for their clergy1 and on the other hand a thorough ,english and scientific education1 and elementary classical instruction for those of the youth of their congregations who might seek for more than a common school education1 or who might wish to prepare for the ,university1 and who1 not having the experience and discretion of ,university students1 required a parental and religious oversight1 in their absence from their parents2 that it would be economy and patriotic on the part of the ,government to grant liberal aid to such seminaries1 as well as to provide for the endowment of a ,university or a common school system2--these are views which ,i explained and argued at length when the ,university question was under discussion1 from #ahbh to #ahcd2 these are the views on which the ,methodists asked in establishing the ,upper ,canada ,academy1 now ,victoria ,college2 these are views1 by pressing which1 a royal charter and government aid were obtained for that institution2 these are the views which received strong confirmation in the recommendation of a despatch from ,lord ,goderich to ,sir ,john ,colborne in #ahcb1 and which greatly encouraged the friends of the ,upper ,canada ,academy in their commencing exertions4 ,that institution was not originally intended to be a ,university ,college2 nor was it sought to be made so until after the establishment of a ,presbyterian ,university ,college at ,kingston2 when1 prompted by example and emulation1 and encouragement of aid1 it was thought that the operations of a ,university might be grafted upon those of the academy1 without interfering with the more extended objects of the latter4444 ,more than a thousand youth have received more or less instruction at the ,cobourg ,institution2 very few of them1 apart from other considerations1 have gone from it without forming a high standard of education1 and a deeper conviction of its importance than they had before entertained2 it has prevented hundreds of youth from going out of the country to be educated1 upon whom1 and upon hundreds of others1 it has conferred the benefits of a good practical education4 ,its buildings present the most remarkable monument of religious effort and patriotic energy which was ever witnessed in any country of the age and population of ,upper ,canada4444 ,the ,wesleyan ,methodists have not1 like the ,churches of ,england1 ,scotland and ,rome1 derived any assistance from the clergy reserve fund1 or other public aid to their clergy or churches4 ,it is much easier to figure upon a platform than to establish educational institutions1 or to preach the ,gospel throughout new countries4 ,those who have been in ,canada twelve months can do the former1 and sneer at the latter4 ,the flippant allusions of certain speakers at the late ,toronto meeting to the ,methodists and to ,victoria ,college 444 were as unfounded as they were unbecoming4 ,the discussions on the ,university question at ,quebec in #ahfj were1 as ,i have intimated1 bitter and largely personal4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 being in the fore front of the ,university reformers1 was singled out for special attack by some of the ablest defenders of the ,university4 ,i shall not enter into detail1 but will give the opening and concluding parts of ,dr4 ,ryerson's great speech1 which he made before the ,committee of the ,legislature on the #beth and #bfth of ,april1 #ahfj3-- ,i am quite aware of the disadvantage under which ,i appear before you to-day4 ,i am not insensible of the prejudices which may have been excited in the minds of many individuals by the occurrences of the last few days2 444 ,i am not at all insensible of the fact that the attempt has been made to turn the issue1 not on the great question which demands attention1 but upon my merits or demerits1 my standing as a man1 and the course which ,i have pursued4 ,this subject1 of very little importance to the ,committee1 444 possesses a great deal of importance to myself4 ,no man can stand in the presence of the ,representatives of the people2 no man can stand1 as ,i feel myself standing this morning1 not merely in the presence of a ,committee1 but1 as it were1 in the presence of my native country1 the land of my birth1 affections1 labours1 hopes1 without experiencing the deepest emotion4 ,but how much more is that the case when attempts have been made1 of the most unprecedented kind1 to deprive me of all that is dear to me as a man1 as a parent1 as a public officer1 as a minister of the ,christian ,church4 ,more especially do ,i thus feel because reading and arranging the papers on this subject1 to which my attention has been called1 occupied me until five o'clock this morning4444 ,sir1 the position of the question which demands our consideration this day1 is one altogether peculiar1 and1 ,i will venture to say1 unparalleled in this or any other country4 ,the individuals connected with myself--the party unconnected with what may be called the ,national ,university of the country1 stand as the conservators of a high standard of education1 and appear before you as the advocates of a thorough course of training that will discipline1 in the most effectual manner1 the powers of the mind1 and prepare the youth of our country for those pursuits and those engagements which demand their attention as men1 ,christians1 and patriots1 while the very persons to whom has been allotted this great interest1 this important trust1 stand before you as the advocates of a reduction1 of a puerile system which has never invigorated the mind1 or raised up great men in any country2 which can never lay deep and broad the foundations of intellectual grandeur and power anywhere1 but which is characterized by that superficiality which marks the proceedings of the educational institutions in the new and ,western ,states of the neighbouring ,republic4 ,sir1 ,i feel proud of the position ,i occupy2 that if ,i have gone to an extreme1 ,i have gone to the proper extreme2 that even if ,i may have pressed my views to an extent beyond the present standing1 the present capabilities of the ,province1 my views have been upward1 my course has been onward1 my attempt has been to invigorate ,canada with an intellect and a power1 a science and a literature that will stand unabashed in the presence of any other country1 while the very men who should have raised our educational standard to the highest point1 who should have been the leaders in adopting a high and thorough course1 have confessed during the discussion of this question1 that the former standard was too high1 and that they have been levelling it down1 incorporating with it speculations which have never elevated the institutions of any country1 and adopting a course of proceedings which never advanced any nation to the position to which ,i hope in ,god my native country will attain4 ,the resolutions on which these proceedings have taken place1 were adopted by the ,wesleyan ,conference in ,june1 #ahfj4 ,now1 whatever other changes may have taken place1 ,i still adhere to the people of my youth1 who were the early instruments of all the religious instruction ,i received until ,i attained manhood4 ,whether they are a polished and learned or a despised people1 ,i still am not ashamed of them1 nor of the humblest of their advocates or professors4 ,i stand before you without a blush1 in the immediate connection1 and identified with that people4 ,the resolutions that were adopted by the ,conference1 in pursuance of which the ,conference appointed a large ,executive ,committee1 consisting of nearly one hundred of the most experienced members of their body1 to prepare the memorial which has been presented to ,parliament1 are these3-- ,resolved4 #ast4 ,that it is the conviction of a large proportion1 if not a large majority of the inhabitants of ,canada1 that their sons1 in pursuing the higher branches of education 7which cannot be acquired in day schools1 and rarely without the youth going to a distance from the paternal roof and oversight71 should be placed in institutions in which their religious instruction and moral oversight1 as well as their literary training1 are carefully watched over and duly provided for2 a conviction practically evident by the fact that not only the members of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church1 and other ,methodists1 but the members of the ,churches of ,england1 ,scotland and ,rome have contributed largely1 and exerted themselves to establish colleges and higher seminaries of learning for the superior education of their children4 #bnd4 ,that no provision for instruction in secular learning alone1 can compensate for the absence of provision1 or care1 for the religious and moral instruction of youth in the most exposed1 critical1 and eventful periods of their lives4 #crd4 ,that it is of the highest importance to the best interests of ,canada that the ,legislative provision for superior education1 shall be in harmony with the conscientious convictions and circumstances of the religious persuasions1 which virtually constitute the ,christianity of the country4 #dth4 ,that the exclusive application of the ,legislative provision for superior education1 to the endowment of a college for the education of the sons of that class of parents alone who wish to educate their sons in a non-denominational institution1 irrespective of their religious principles and moral character1 to the exclusion of those classes of parents who wish to educate their sons in colleges or seminaries where a paternal care is bestowed upon their moral and religious interests1 at the same time that they are carefully and thoroughly taught in secular learning2 is grossly illiberal1 partial1 unjust and unpatriotic1 and merits the severest reprobation of every liberal and right-minded man of every religious persuasion and party in the country4 #e4 ,that the ministers and members of the ,wesleyan ,methodist ,church1 aided by the liberal co-operation of many other friends of ,christian education1 have largely and long contributed to establish and maintain ,victoria ,college1 in which provision is made for the religious instruction and oversight of students1 independent of any ,legislative aid--in which there are fifty-nine students in the ,faculty of ,arts1 besides more than two hundred pupils and students in preparatory and special classes--in which no religious test is permitted by the charter in the admission of any student1 or pupil1 and in which many hundreds of youths of different religious persuasions1 have been educated and prepared for professional and other pursuits1 many of whom have already honourably distinguished themselves in the clerical1 legal and medical professions1 as also in mercantile and other branches of business4 #fth4 ,that ,victoria ,college is justly entitled to share in the ,legislative provision for superior education1 according to the number of students in the collegiate and academical courses of instruction4 #gth4 ,that we affectionately entreat the members of our ,church1 to use their influence to elect1 as far as possible1 public men who are favourable to the views expressed in the foregoing resolutions1 and do equal justice to those who wish to give a superior religious education to the youth of the country1 as well as those who desire for their sons a non-religious education alone4 ,dr4 ,ryerson concluded his speech on the #bfth ,april4 ,towards its close he said3--,one of the speakers thought to amuse the ,committee1 by a reference to an expression of mine1 used in a letter written by me several years since1 that ,i had meditated my system of public instruction for this country--7for ,i contemplated the whole system from the primary school to the ,university7--on some of the highest mountains in ,europe1 and said1 using a very elegant expression1 it must therefore be rather windy4 444 ,no one can have read the history of ,greece or ,scotland1 or the ,northern and ,western parts of ,england1 without knowing that1 from elevated and secluded places1 some of the finest inspirations of genius have emanated which have ever been conceived by the mind of man4 ,there are mountains in ,europe where the recluse may stand and see beneath him curling clouds1 and roaring tempests spending their strength1 while he is in a calm untroubled atmosphere1 on the summit of a mountain of which it may be said1 ,though round his breast the rolling clouds are spread1 ,eternal sunshine settles on his head4 ,and ,i ask whether it was unphilosophical for an individual who had examined the educational systems of various countries1 and who was crossing the ,alps1 to retire to a mountain solitude1 and there1 in the abode of that eternal sunshine1 and in the presence of ,him who is the fountain of light1 to contemplate a system which was to diffuse intellectual and moral light throughout his native country1 to survey the condition of that country as a whole1 apart from its political-religious dissensions1 and ask what system could be devised to enable it to take its position among the civilized nations of the world8444 ,after giving expression to his views on what he conceived to be a proper and suitable ,university system for the ,province1 he concluded with these words3--,it is perfectly well known to the ,committee that its time1 for the last four or five days1 has been occupied1 not in the investigation of these principles1 but by attempts to destroy what is dearer to me than life1 in order to crush the cause with which ,i am identified2 and a scene has been enacted here1 somewhat resembling that which took place in a certain committee room1 at ,toronto1 in regard to a certain ,inspector-,general4 ,every single forgetfulness or omission of mine has been magnified and tortured in every possible way1 to destroy my reputation for integrity1 and my standing in the country4 ,a newspaper in ,toronto1 whose editor-in-chief is a man of very great notoriety1 has said1 since the commencement of this inquiry1 that1 in my early days1 ,i made mercenary approaches to another church1 but was indignantly repelled1 and hence my present position4 ,i showed the other day that ,i might have occupied the place of ,vice-,chancellor of the ,university which ,mr4 ,langton now holds1 had ,i desired 7and the proposal was made to me after my return from ,europe in #ahef71 and ,i have similar records to prove that in #ahbe1 after the commencement of my ,wesleyan ministry1 ,i had the authoritative offer of admission to the ministry of the ,church of ,england 7see pages #da and #bjf74 ,my objection1 and my sole objections was1 that my early religious principles and feelings were wholly owing to the instrumentality of the ,methodist people1 and ,i had been providentially called to labour among them2 not that ,i did not love the ,church of ,england4 ,those were saddlebag days1 and ,i used to carry in my saddlebags two books1 to which ,i am more indebted than to any other two books in the ,english language1 except the ,holy ,scriptures1 namely1 the ,prayer ,book and the ,homilies of the ,church of ,england4 ,at this very day1 ,sir1 though ,i have often opposed the exclusive assumptions of some members of the ,church of ,england1 ,i only love it less than the ,church with which ,i am immediately associated4 ,i have been charged with being the leader of the present movement4 ,i am entitled to no such honour4 ,if ,i have written a line it has been as the amanuensis of my ecclesiastical superiors2 if ,i have done anything1 it has been in compliance with the wishes of those whom ,i love and honour2 and my attachment to the ,wesleyan body1 and the associations and doings of my early years1 have been appealed to1 as a ground of claim for my humble aid in connection with this movement4 ,sir1 the ,wesleyan people1 plain and humble as they were1 did me good in my youth1 and ,i will not abandon them in my old age4 ,i have only further to add1 that whatever may be my shortcomings1 and even sins1 ,i can say with truth that ,i love my country2 that by habit of thought1 by association1 by every possible sympathy ,i could awaken in my breast1 ,i have sought to increase my affection for my native land4 ,i have endeavoured to invest it with a sort of personality1 to place it before me as an individual1 beautiful in its proportions1 as well as vigorous in all the elements of its constitution1 and losing sight of all distinction of classes1 sects1 and parties1 to ask myself1 in the presence of that ,being1 before whom ,i shall shortly stand1 what ,i could do most for my country's welfare1 how ,i could contribute most to found a system of education that would give to ,canada1 when ,i should be no more1 a career of splendour which will make its people proud of it4 ,i may adopt the words of a poet--though they may not be very poetical3-- ',sweet place of my kindred1 blest land of my birth1 ,the fairest1 the purest1 the dearest on earth2 ,where'er ,i may roam1 where'er ,i may be1 ,my spirit instinctively turns unto thee4' ,whatever may have been the course of proceeding adopted towards me in this inquiry1 ,i bear enmity to no man2 and whatever may be the result of this investigation1 and the decision of the committee1 ,i hope that during the few years ,i have to live1 ,i shall act consistently with the past1 and still endeavour to build up a country that will be distinguished in its religious1 social1 moral1 educational1 and even political institutions and character2 to assist in erecting a structure of intellectual progress and power1 on which future ages may look back with respect and gratitude1 and thus to help1 in some humble degree1 to place our beloved ,canada among the foremost nations of the earth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following private letters1 written to me at the time from ,quebec and ,kingston1 by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 throw additional light upon the nature of the contest in which he was engaged4 ,they also reveal what the character of his personal feelings and the exercise of his mind during that eventful time were4 ,on the #bjth ,april1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,i have had a very painful and laborious week2 but ,i hope to-morrow to be able by divine help1 to answer two of my principal opponents effectually4 ,one of these gentlemen made a very plausible speech yesterday in defence of the ,university1 and in reply chiefly to me1 but full of fallacies and misquotations4 ,april #bgth4--,i finished my defence yesterday in the presence of a densely crowded room--consisting of a large number of ,legislative ,councillors and members of the ,house of ,assembly--several of whom1 ,i was told1 were quite moved when ,i closed1 and cheered me heartily when ,i sat down4 ,i was congratulated on all sides by them in the afternoon1 upon the manner in which ,i had triumphantly defended myself4 ,i can only say1 to ,god be all the praise4 ,i felt myself as weak as water4 ,i was so depressed and affected the night before1 and the morning of commencing my defence1 that ,i could not speak without emotion and tears2 but ,i prayed and relied upon ,him who had never failed me in the hour of trial1 and my personal friends were also engaged in prayer in my behalf4 ,as soon as ,i commenced1 ,i felt as if an army of such assailants were as so many pigmies1 and1 my friends say1 ,i handled them as such4 ,the remarks of members of both ,houses are various1 and some of them amusing--all agreeing in the completeness of the defence4 ,all agree also as to the extravagance and defects of the system1 and the unquestionable claims of denominational colleges4 ,i cannot review the great goodness of ,god to me during this mortifying week without an overflowing heart and tears of gratitude4 ,more conscious and manifold help from above ,i never experienced4 ,i hope ,i may never be called to pass through such another conflict4 ,i spoke two hours and forty minutes on the day before yesterday1 and one hour and three-quarters yesterday4 ,may #hth4--,i shall be able to send you to-morrow a copy in slips of my reply to my two principal opponents4 ,i know not what will be the result1 but ,i trust in ,god1 who has done better for us than all our fears or our hopes thus far4 ,i hear that the general conviction of members is with me4 ,one of the ,senators told me that he had heard but one opinion on the subject4 ,there are some who are satisfied that ,i have gained in the contest1 but who are not in favour of dividing the endowment4 ,all seem to feel that the present system is bad1 and that something must be done1 and that denominational colleges must be sustained4 ,i think the ,house will refuse to do anything until the evidence1 etc41 on the subject is laid before the country4 ,i thank you for your very kind sympathy in my conflicts4 ,kingston1 ,june #gth4--,the ,conference met yesterday1 and seems to be in a very good spirit4 ,a ,committee was appointed1 named by myself1 and moved by ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood--to arrange for proceedings on the ,university question4 ,the ,committee met last night1 and agreed to have a public meeting2 and myself and one or two more to draw up resolutions to be submitted to it4 ,i am desired to address the meeting in the evening1 when it is expected there will be a great gathering4 ,i find the preachers to be very cordial and grateful4 ,kingston ,june #hth4--,the official lay members of the ,church in the city of ,kingston presented a congratulatory address to the ,conference this forenoon1 in which they referred with great feeling and force to the ,university question1 also to the representatives of the ,conference at ,quebec1 and especially to myself--requesting that the ,guardian might be more and more the medium of furnishing the connexion with facts and information on the subject1 and that my ,defence should be inserted in it for the information of our people4 ,rev4 ,g4 ,r4 ,sanderson1 seconded by ,rev4 ,w4 ,jeffers1 moved a vote of thanks to the official members of ,kingston for their address4 ,rev4 ,j4 ,spencer1 ,editor of the ,guardian1 regarded the address as an attack upon himself1 and said the lay members had been instigated to make the attack upon him4 ,dr4 ,wood showed that the address simply made a request4 ,mr4 ,spencer was considered to have made a great mistake for himself4 ,the feeling of ,conference in regard to myself is very cordial and very enthusiastic on the ,university question4 ,the article in ,the ,canadian ,church is much admired4 ,a copy of it has been sent to the ,montreal ,gazette1 also to the ,kingston ,daily ,news4 ,it is an able and most scholarly article4 ,kingston1 ,june #acth4--,yesterday afternoon1 the ,conference considered and unanimously and cordially adopted a series of resolutions on the ,university question--thanking those who were at ,quebec1 especially myself--endorsing the memorial pamphlet4 ,my name was received with cheers1 whenever mentioned in the resolutions4 ,in the evening1 a public meeting was held1 and it was a perfect ovation to myself4 ,some of those present thought that that was the object of the meeting4 ,rev4 ,w4 ,jeffers1 the new editor1 made an excellent speech4 ,rev4 ,lachlan ,taylor read extracts in a most amusing and effective manner from the ,hamilton ,spectator1 ,colonist1 ,echo1 and ,church ,press4 ,the ,hon4 ,mr4 ,ferrier spoke most happily on the effect of the discussion1 and also of the effect of my speech on the members of both branches of the ,legislature4 ,i was cheered throughout1 and sat down with four long rounds of cheers4 ,there was much laughter1 and occasional deep feeling during my criticisms on the variations1 and some of the topics of the speeches of my opponents at ,quebec1 especially the after-dinner speeches at the ,toronto ,university gathering4 ,,footnotes3 #adh ,since established and supported1 as is the one in ,montreal1 by contributions from the ,methodist people4 ,,chapter ,,lix4 #ahfa-ahff4 ,personal ,incidents4--,dr4 ,ryerson's ,visits to ,norfolk ,co4 ,during the years of #ahfa-ahff1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was chiefly engaged in his official duties1 and part of the time with the ,university question4 ,there is1 therefore1 little to record during these years except personal matters4 ,the following letters from two of his brothers indicate how strong was their attachment to him3-- ,brantford1 #dth ,october1 #ahfa4--,rev4 ,john ,ryerson writes3 ,i have derived more benefit from reading ,milner's ,history this time than ,i ever did before2 especially the experience1 writings1 c41 of ,st4 ,augustine1 ,cyprian1 ,bernard1 ,luther and ,zwingle4 ,st4 ,augustine's conversion and confessions have been much blessed to me4 ,i have been led to examine with more care and prayerful attention than ever before1 the power1 influence1 and fruits of vital godliness1 as experienced and manifested in the hearts and lives of both the ,greek and ,latin ,fathers2 and also the principal instruments of the ,reformation in the sixteenth century4 ,o6 the power1 wisdom1 and goodness of ,god2 displayed in all these scenes1 matters and lives6 ,kingston1 ,may #hth1 #ahfb4--,the ,rev4 ,geo4 ,ryerson writes3 ,we arrived here safely this morning4 ,i write this by the first mail because ,i feel anxious concerning you4 ,i fear that if you undertake a journey to ,quebec in your present state of weakness and disease1 that it will be fatal to you4 ,you are providentially unable to bear the bodily and mental exertion4 ,god does not send a sick man to labour in any good work1 and he requires us to use ourselves tenderly1 when he weakens us4 ,brantford1 ,may #ith4--,rev4 ,john ,ryerson writes3 ,i had no idea that you had been so seriously ill4 ,it is1 however1 gratifying now to learn that you are convalescent1 and the loss of a little of your fleshly substance may prove no great calamity4 ,were ,i to lose forty pounds1 as you have1 there would be very little of me left6 ,brantford1 ,december #bbnd4--,rev4 ,john ,ryerson writes3 ,during my long missionary tour ,i preached about ten times1 always with liberty and freedom4 ,since ,i returned home ,i have resumed all of my domestic and private devotional exercises1 and after my missionary labours realize the return of quiet peace and spiritual communion4 ,recently1 after much prayer1 ,i received a great blessing to my soul1 the peace of ,god coming down upon my heart and going all over me1 and ,i still have peace4 ,god is my portion1 my righteousness1 and my salvation all the day long4 ,in ,september1 #ahfd1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote the following account of visits which he made to his native county of ,norfolk3-- ,in compliance with many requests1 ,i have thought it would not be improper1 and might be acceptable to my ,norfolk friends1 for me to give an account of my visits during the last two years to my native place1 and to the ,island within ,long ,point1 which my father obtained from the ,crown1 and which now belongs to me--marked on old maps as ,pottahawk ,point1 but designated on later maps1 and more generally known1 as ,ryerson's ,island4 ,i may remark1 by way of preface1 that for more than thirty-five years of my public life my constitution and brain seemed to be equal to any amount of labour which ,i might impose on them2 but of late years1 the latter has been the seat of alarming attacks and severe pain1 under any protracted or intense labour2 and the former has been impaired by labour and disease4 ,change of scene and out-door exercise have proved the most effectual remedy for both4 ,my first adoption of this course 7apart from foreign travel7 was two years since1 when a month's daily sea-bathing1 boating and walking1 at ,cape ,elizabeth1 near ,portland1 ,state of ,maine1 contributed greatly to the improvement of my health and strength4 ,after again resuming my usual work for several weeks1 ,i found that my relief1 if not safety1 required a further suspension of ordinary mental labour1 and diversion of my thought by new objects4 ,i determined to visit the place of my birth and the scenes of my youth4 ,at ,port ,ryerse ,i made myself a little skiff after the model of one ,i had seen at the sea-side1 and in which ,i rowed myself to and from ,ryerson's ,island1 a distance of some thirteen miles from ,port ,ryerse1 and about four miles from the nearest mainland--the end of ,turkey ,point4 ,last autumn ,i lodged two weeks on the farm on which ,i was born1 with the family of ,mr4 ,joseph ,duncan1 where the meals were taken daily in a room the wood-work of which ,i1 as an amateur carpenter1 had finished more than forty years ago1 while recovering from a long and serious illness4 ,when invited to meet and address the common schools of the county of ,norfolk1 at a county school picnic held in a grove near ,simcoe1 the #bdth of last ,june1 ,i determined to proceed thither1 not by railroad and stage1 as usual1 but in a skiff fifteen feet and a half long1 in which ,i had been accustomed for some months to row in ,toronto ,harbour1 between six and eight o'clock in the morning4 ,providing1 as far as possible1 against the double danger of swamping and capsizing1 by a canvas deck1 proper ballast1 and fittings of the sail1 ,i crossed ,lake ,ontario alone from ,toronto to ,port ,dalhousie in nine hours2 had my skiff conveyed thence to ,port ,colborne on a ,canadian vessel1 through the ,welland ,canal1 and proceeded along the north shore of ,lake ,erie1 rowing in one day1 half-way against head wind1 from the mouth of ,grand ,river to ,port ,dover1 a distance of forty miles1 taking refreshments and rest at farm houses1 and bathing three times during the day4 ,the following day scarcely conscious of fatigue1 ,i delivered two addresses2 the one to a vast assemblage of school pupils and their friends1 in a grove2 the other a lecture to teachers and trustees in the evening4 ,after visiting my island and witnessing the productive and excellent garden of the family that occupies it1 ,i returned to ,toronto in my skiff1 by the way of ,niagara river1 sailing in one day between sun-rise and sun-set 7stopping for three hours at ,port ,colborne7 from ,grand ,river to ,chippewa1 within two miles of the ,falls4 ,i had my skiff conveyed on a waggon over the portage from ,chippewa to ,queenstown 7ten miles71 and started from ,niagara to ,toronto about noon of the first ,friday in ,july4 ,when a little more than half way across the lake1 ,i encountered a heavy north-east storm of rain and wind1 and a fog so thick as to completely obscure the ,toronto light-house1 which was within a mile of me4 ,when it became so dark that ,i could not see my compass1 ,i laid my course1 with the sail reefed1 by the wind and waves1 reaching 7a mile west of my due course7 the east side of the ,humber ,bay1 between ten and eleven in the evening1 and making my way1 by a hard pull1 to the ,toronto ,yacht ,club ,house a little before midnight4 ,about four weeks since my son and myself made the voyage in the same skiff from ,toronto to ,long ,point1 but proceeding by railroad from ,port ,dalhousie to ,port ,colborne1 intending to spend a week or two on the farm1 and two or three days on the ,island4 ,i conclude this epitomised sketch with three remarks4 ,i am satisfied of the truth of what ,i have long believed1 that a small boat is as safe1 if not safer1 than a large one1 if properly constructed1 fitted out1 trimmed1 and managed4 ,i believe that many a large open boat1 if not capsized by the wind1 would have been swamped by the waves over which my little craft rode in safety4 ,i have never experienced the benefit of out-door exertion and the comfort of retirement to the same degree as during these excursions1 besides daily riding on horseback and preparing all the wood consumed at my cottage4 ,between two and three years ago ,i found it painful labour to walk one mile1 ,i have since walked twelve miles in a day1 besides attending to other duties--an improvement of my general system1 which is already acting sensibly and encouragingly on the seat of thought and nervous influence4 ,in my lonely voyage from ,toronto to ,port ,ryerse1 the scene was often enchanting1 and the solitude sweet beyond expression4 ,i have witnessed the setting sun amidst the ,swiss and ,tyrolese ,alps1 from lofty elevations1 on the plains of ,lombardy1 from the highest eminence of the ,appenines1 between ,bologna and ,florence1 and from the crater summit of ,vesuvius1 but ,i never was more delighted and impressed 7owing1 perhaps1 in part to the susceptible state of my feelings7 with the beauty1 effulgence1 and even sublimity of atmospheric phenomena1 and the softened magnificence of surrounding objects1 than in witnessing the setting sun the #bcrd of ,june1 from the unruffled bosom of ,lake ,erie1 a few miles east of ,port ,dover1 and about a mile from the thickly wooded shore1 with its deepening and variously reflected shadows4 ,and when the silent darkness enveloped all this beauty1 and grandeur1 and magnificence in undistinguishable gloom1 my mind experienced that wonderful sense of freedom and relief which come from all that suggests the idea of boundlessness--the deep sky1 the dark night1 the endless circle1 the illimitable waters4 ,the world with its tumult of cares seemed to have retired1 and ,god and ,his works appeared all in all1 suggesting the enquiry which faith and experience promptly answered in the affirmative-- ,with glorious clouds encompassed round ,whom angels dimly see2 ,will the unsearchable be found2 ,will ,god appear to me8 ,my last remark is the vivifying influence and unspeakable pleasure of visiting scenes endeared to me by many tender1 and comparatively few painful recollections4 ,amid the fields1 woods1 out-door exercises1 and associations of the first twenty years of my life1 ,i have seemed to forget the sorrows1 labours and burdens of more than two score years1 and to be transported back to what was youthful1 simple1 healthy1 active1 and happy4 ,i can heartily sympathise with the feelings of ,sir ,walter ,scott when1 in reply to ,washington ,irving1 who had expressed disapprobation in the scenery of the ,tweed1 immortalized by the genius of the ,border ,minstrel1 he said1-- ,it may be partiality1 but to my eyes these gray hills and all this wild border country have beauties peculiar to themselves4 ,i like the very nakedness of the land4 ,it has something bold1 and stern1 and solitary about it4 ,when ,i have been for some time in the rich scenery of ,edinburgh1 which is ornamented garden land1 ,i begin to wish myself back again among my honest gray hills1 and if ,i did not see the heather at least once a year ,i think ,i should die4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was very bold and skilful in the management of a sail boat1 as may be inferred from the foregoing incidents4 ,on one occasion1 a few years ago1 while sailing on the ,toronto bay in his skiff1 he was overtaken by a gale1 during which the steeple of ,zion ,church was blown down1 but1 through ,god's goodness1 he reached terra firma in safety4 ,he frequently sailed his little craft1 as he has mentioned1 from ,port ,ryerse and ,port ,rowan to his ,long ,point cottage--a distance of thirteen and nine miles respectively--and that1 too1 in all sorts of weather1 and sometimes when much larger boats would not venture outside of the harbour4 ,for many years ,dr4 ,ryerson was considered one of the best shots at ,long ,point4 ,when over seventy years of age1 he killed from seventy to eighty duck in one day in his punt and with his own gun4 ,in the spring of #ahhj1 when in his seventy-eighth year1 he was overtaken by darkness1 and1 not being able to reach his cottage1 was compelled to remain all night in the marsh4 ,rolling himself up in his blankets1 in his boat1 he quietly went to sleep4 ,in the early morning he was rewarded by capturing nine wild geese4 ,he crossed ,lake ,ontario1 between ,toronto and ,port ,dalhousie1 four times alone in his skiff 7only sixteen feet long71 and three times accompanied by his son4 ,fear was unknown to him1 and he never lost his presence of mind1 even in the most perilous circumstances4 ,another favourite recreation of his was riding4 ,he was often seen before six o'clock in the morning enjoying a canter in the suburbs of ,toronto4 99 99 99 99 99 ,writing to me from ,ridgeway in ,august1 #ahff1 he said3-- ,to-day ,i left ,toronto in my little skiff for ,port ,dalhousie4 ,the lake was as smooth as glass the greater part of the day1 and the latter part of the day there was not a breath of wind1 so that ,i had to row4 ,i got into ,port ,dalhousie in the evening4 ,i was at the ,queen's ,own camp at ,thorold yesterday4 ,i visited a large number of tents1 and examined the whole mode of living1 and especially of cooking4 ,it was amusing1 among other cases of the same kind1 to see several young gentlemen of ,toronto cooking1 and others assisting4 ,i saw them cutting their meat1 etc4 ,they have the reputation of being the best cooks in the battalion4 ,i go to ,port ,colborne in the rail cars1 and will proceed in my skiff to ,port ,ryerse1 or rather to ,port ,dover first4 ,i hope to get there to-morrow4 ,i went over the battle-ground here last evening4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as many people were curious to know how ,dr4 ,ryerson spent his time at his ,long ,point cottage1 the following letter1 written to his cousin1 ,major ,ryerse1 in ,april1 #ahgc1 will supply the information4 ,it relates to one day's experience1 and was about the average of these experiences there3--,on leaving the island cottage1 ,i paddled and pushed my boat about six miles in the marsh1 ,monday forenoon4 ,i rowed all the way to ,port ,ryerse against a head wind1 one part of the way so strong that ,i shipped a good deal of water1 and got wet4 ,i was from two to eight o'clock rowing from my cottage to ,port ,ryerse4 ,i was too wet and fatigued to walk to your house1 but went to bed at nine1 got up at five1 and started for ,simcoe at six4 ,i walked eight miles out of ten on the ice1 from ,port ,rowan over--going the other two miles by water1 in a skiff which we took with us on a hand-sled4 ,during the first eight days ,i did not go out in the marsh at all1 but devoted myself wholly to my papers and books4 ,the second week ,i went out three times1 about three hours each1 got a little game1 but not enough to leave any on the way1 except to a few friends4 ,i am now beginning to enjoy rest more than exertion2 and am not certain when ,i shall come again1 or whether ,i shall come at all again4 99 99 99 99 99 ,while on his educational tour in #ahff1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to me from ,napanee1 and said3--,there was a very large meeting in ,picton on ,saturday and another here to-day1 and both went with me in everything1 with showers of compliments and almost enthusiastic feeling4 ,a large number of the oldest settlers and ,methodists were invited to meet me last night at ,mr4 ,dorland's1 in ,adolphustown4 ,the service in the evening was to them a feast of fat things1 and some of them spoke of it as the happiest occasion of their lives4 ,i felt very happy with them4 ,they said it reminded them of old times4 ,,chapter ,,lx4 #ahfg4 ,last ,educational ,visit to ,europe4--,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon4 ,in #ahfg ,dr4 ,ryerson made his last educational tour to ,europe4 ,on his return he prepared two elaborate reports--one on ,systems of ,education in ,europe1 and the other on the ,education of the ,deaf and ,dumb4 ,he also went to ,paris as an ,honorary ,commissioner to the ,international ,exhibition held in that city in #ahfg4 ,while absent he constantly wrote to me4 ,from his letters ,i make the following selections3-- ,paris1 ,january #bbnd1 #ahfg4--,the pretended concessions of the ,emperor of ,france to the ,french nation was not much thought of in ,paris1 as it is regarded here of little value4 ,his announcement of his concessions1 as being final1 will do him more harm1 than the concessions themselves will do good4 ,the ,attorney-,general told me to-day that ,i had won the the heart of ,mr4 ,adderly1 ,m4,p41 ,under-,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 who is an able man4 ,the ,attorney-,general gave me a note of introduction to him 7in the absence of ,lord ,carnarvon7 in order to introduce me to ,lord ,stanley1 which ,mr4 ,adderly did4 ,he asked me many questions about our school system1 and told the ,attorney-,general ,i had given him an immense deal of information in a short time4 ,nice1 ,february #be4--,we left ,paris ,wednesday evening1 and reached ,marseilles ,thursday noon--passing ,lyons1 ,vienne1 ,avignon1 etc41 in the valley of the ,rhone1 by daylight4 ,the scenery was very beautiful1 vine-yards on the hillsides1 cultivated fields1 trees and shrubs green1 almonds in blossom4 ,in the afternoon we did ,marseilles1 visiting the ,exchange1 the ,palais de ,justice1 the ancient and modern port with its thousands of ships1--#bh1jjj entering it per year--ascended the lofty mount1 with garden walls on its sides1 to the ,notre ,dame church which surmounts it--a small church of the sailors hung with innumerable characteristic mementoes of their escapes from shipwreck1 through the intercession of their ,mother-protector6 ,the view of the city and surrounding country1 all dotted with villas1 is magnificent4 ,next morning we started for ,nice4 ,toulon1 the ,mediterranean naval station of ,france1 is about thirty-six miles this side of ,marseilles--about one-third of the way to ,nice4 ,it is strongly fortified2 its port1 which is admirable1 contains many ,french ships of war4 ,the population is about #ej1jjj4 ,between ,toulon and ,nice lies the town of ,cannes--a rival to ,nice as a resort for invalids4 ,the scenery from ,marseilles to ,nice is beautiful1 and sometimes grand--the sea on one side1 and the gardens1 fields1 olive and orange orchards1 hillsides and mountain slopes1 dotted with hamlets and villas1 on the other4 ,in the back-ground of ,nice are seen the maritime ,alps4 ,oranges are here seen on the trees2 and the trees1 shrubs and flowers are green1 and some of them in blossom4 ,the breezes gentle1 the sun bright and warm1 the sky clear1 and the atmosphere soft and balmy1 one seems to inhale healthful vigour with every breath1 and to behold cheerful beauty on every side4 ,i have here met my old friend1 ,dr4 ,pantelioni1 who attended me when ,i was ill in ,rome1 who was employed by ,count ,cavour to negotiate with ,prince ,napoleon and the ,emperor the treaty of the #aeth ,september1 by which the ,french troops have evacuated ,rome2 but he is now an exile from ,rome1 but hopes soon to return thither4 ,he has the first medical practice here1 as he had at ,rome4 ,florence1 ,march #aith4--,since ,i wrote to you from ,rome1 we went to ,naples1 in ten hours1 by railway2 spent three days there1 and returned1 the fourth1 here--in #bc hours from ,naples--arriving here ,sunday morning1 in time to dress1 get breakfast1 and go to church1 where we heard the liturgy read evangelically1 and a good evangelical sermon4 ,the ,church at ,rome is ,high ,church2 that at ,florence is evangelical4 ,but ,i heard an excellent service from the ,dean of ,ely 7,mr4 ,goodwin71 at ,rome4 ,i can give you no particulars of our tour4 ,i do not enjoy it4 ,i have wished a good many times that you were in my place1 and that ,i had a week's quiet on my ,island4 ,rome was dirty1 as well as almost wholly given to superstition1 though there is a strong and widespread hostility among the masses to the temporal power of the ,pope4 ,naples was dirty1 but evinced much business activity4 ,florence is clean1 industrious1 and all the people cleanly and well-dressed1 except some beggars--an old legacy4 ,but the general hostility to the priesthood is remarkable1 though not surprising4 ,the ,government had gained in the recent elections1 but has a difficult part to play1 between the ,church and ,anti-,church parties1 and keeping up a large army1 and imposing heavy taxes1 of which all complain4 ,venice1 ,march #bhth4--,at ,florence1 the ,british ,minister introduced me to ,count ,usedon1 the ,prussian ,minister at ,florence1 formerly at ,paris1 a most delightful and variously learned man1 who invited me to go to his villa1 but ,i had not time1 and who told me all about the working of the ,prussian ,system of ,public ,instruction1 in each neighbourhood--saying that the law had not been changed at all since ,i was in ,prussia2 that the ,government did nothing but inspect1 and see that each locality had a school of a certain kind1 and that each person educated his children2 but that each locality taxed itself for the support of its school4 ,he told me ,i could find nothing suitable to my purpose in ,prussia1 in respect to the militia organization in connection with the school system1 as there was no connection between the one and the other1 and that the military system was expensive1 and much interfered with the ordinary employments2 but that ,switzerland was the place for me to learn and study the blending of the school system with military training1 in consequence of which every ,swiss had a good education1 understood the use of arms and military drill1 and was yet practical1 industrious1 and sober1 while the whole system was very inexpensive4 ,he gave me a letter of introduction to a friend of his in ,switzerland1 who could give me every information ,i might desire1 and all needful documents4 ,lake ,como1 ,april #ast4--,this is the first place of rest and retirement that we have had since we came to ,europe4 ,we are inhaling fresh country air every day4 ,we are in the centre of a natural magnificence1 beauty1 and grandeur such as ,i have never witnessed--before us the little1 deep1 ,y-shaped lake1 abounding in fish1 dotted with skiffs1 skirted with flower gardens1 walks1 shrubs1 and villas1 and overhung on either side by snow-capped mountains--roses and plants and green flowers at the bottom of the mountains--craggy rocks and deep snow at the top1 and all apparently within a mile's distance4 ,here where we stop is the villa of the ,duke of ,meiningen1 and the palace-residence of the late ,queen ,caroline of ,england 7now an hotel71 and the villa of the ,king of the ,belgians--a favourite place of retirement of the late ,king4 ,what ,i have witnessed here1 in the quiet ,sabbath of yesterday1 has given me more impressive views of the varied beauty and magnificence of the works of ,god than ,i ever had before1 though ,i had travelled much1 and finished my sixty-fourth year the ,sabbath before4 ,london1 #cjth ,april4--,i was present two hours at the anniversary of the ,church ,missionary ,society--heard the report 7a very good one7 read1 and heard ,lord ,chichester 7,president71 the ,lord ,bishop of ,norwich1 ,dean of ,carlisle1 and the ,lord ,bishop of ,cork4 ,the speaking was evangelical--,methodistically experimental1 but nothing like so able and effective as that at the ,wesleyan ,missionary meeting yesterday4 ,i attended a meeting this afternoon at ,city ,road ,chapel1 to hear an address from ,lord ,shaftesbury on ,ragged ,schools1 and to witness the laying of the corner-stone of a chapel school-house in an alley about six minutes' walk from ,city ,road ,wesleyan ,chapel--one of the most wretched neighbourhoods in ,london4 ,i never knew before what the ragged poor of ,london1 in the lanes and alleys1 were4 ,i never witnessed such a sight of squalid wretchedness--the neighbourhood literally swarming with children--every window of the houses around full of heads--all indicating that lowest degradation1 but many of the children had good features and bright eyes sparkling through the encrustation of dirt4 ,we have no such class in ,canada1 and ,i hope we never may4 ,lord ,shaftesbury's remarks were of the highest type of ,scriptural and experimental truth--eminently practical and suggestive4 ,his address to the poor creatures1 at the laying of the corner-stone of the edifice1 was full of kindness and affection--adopting even the very style of address common among the class whom he addressed4 ,as a specimen1 his ,lordship said3--,i just heard a boy say behind me1 'which is him8' ,now1 ,i am him2 you want to see him2 and ,i want to see you1 and to talk to you1 and to do you good4 ,we have all come here to do you good1 because we love you1 and the poorer you are1 and the more you suffer1 the more we wish to help you1 and to do you good4 ,he reminded me of the ,saviour going about doing good1 and of the words of ,job 7chap4 #bi71 ,when the ear heard me1 then it blessed me1 and when the eye saw me it gave witness to me1 because ,i delivered the poor that cried1 and the fatherless1 and him that had none to help him1 etc4 7verses #aa1 #ac1 #ae1 and #af74 ,it was to me an impressive1 affecting1 and1 ,i trust1 a useful lesson4 ,london1 #ast ,may4--,we attended to-day the annual meeting of the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society4 ,the ,report was admirably read1 and was most gratifying and encouraging4 ,the speeches were excellent1 and some parts of them produced a wonderful effect4 ,the ,lord ,bishop of ,carlisle spoke nobly and scripturally2 the ,dean of ,carlisle spoke fervently and affectingly2 the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,miller spoke very ably and effectively2 but ,mr4 ,calvert 7of ,fiji mission71 spoke irresistibly to the heart2 and ,dr4 ,phillips spoke with surpassing beauty1 and charming power4 ,the latter two are both ,welshmen1 and ,methodists--the former a ,wesleyan1 and the latter a ,whitfield ,welsh ,methodist4 ,the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,nolan spoke with great excellence2 ,lord ,shaftesbury speaks as a matter of business1 naturally1 simply1 but with dignity1 and great force4 ,but the speeches of clergymen to-day1 as well as yesterday1 painfully impressed me with the divided1 and deplorable state of the ,church of ,england4 ,indeed1 ,i thought to-day that it was hardly in good taste1 or even politic1 for clergymen to give such prominence to the internal heresies and divisions of the ,church1 at a non-denominational meeting1 and before their brethren of other denominations1 and before the world4 ,but they feel that the evil and danger is so great that they should speak out1 and do so on all occasions4 ,there have been disputes and divisions among the ,methodists1 on personal and political quasi-ecclesiastical grounds1 but never of the grave character of those which agitate the ,church of ,england4 ,it is the opinion of many of the clergymen and laymen of the ,church1 that a formal and great separation will ere long take place between the opposing parties4 ,but1 still1 ,i think that the heart of the ,church is sound--that neither the ritualists nor the neologists touch the masses of the labouring and middle classes--only some speculative minds1 and imaginary spirits1 seeking for excitement in religion1 as they do in reading novels1 and at the theatre4 ,but1 after all1 ,i believe1 as ,i hope1 the ,church will come out of this fiery trial1 better1 stronger1 and more qualified to do good1 and with a deeper baptism of the ,divine ,spirit for its promotion4 ,so far as ,i have had opportunity to mingle with the ministers and members1 and to witness services and meetings1 ,i think ,i never saw the ,wesleyan body in so good a state2 so perfectly at peace and united1 and so devoted to their one great work2 and with a fervour and depth of spirituality not excelled even in ,mr4 ,wesley's day4 ,the personal example and influence of the most eloquent and leading men in the ,connexion is highly spiritual and practical4 ,london1 #eth ,may4--,during my present visit to ,england ,i have been so deeply impressed with the vast benefit to my native land by a visit to it of ,rev4 ,william ,morley ,punshon that ,i have written to him on the subject1 and have got others to speak to him about it4 ,i was rejoiced1 therefore1 to get from him a note to-day1 dated ,bristol1 #dth ,may1 as follows3--,the more ,i think about your proposition the more ,i am impressed that it is in the order of ,providence that ,i should accept it4 ,i have always hoped that ,i might some day see your great continent and have the opportunity of acquainting myself with the capabilities of your country1 and with the work which has been done in it2 and on many accounts the present seems to be the most favourable time4 ,if1 therefore1 you should honour me with an invitation1 and the ,british ,conference shall see good to appoint me1 ,i shall place no hindrance in the way1 but shall endeavour to regard it as the wish of the ,lord4 ,london1 #fth ,may4--,i have gratefully replied to ,mr4 ,punshon1 and shall now return to ,canada1 satisfied that ,i have1 with ,god's help1 accomplished a great work for her1 and that we shall reap a rich reward from the services of this honoured minister of ,christ4 ,london1 #aeth ,may4--,in a kind parting note from ,rev4 ,dr4 ,elijah ,hoole to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,mission ,house1 ,may #aeth1 the former says3 ,i have written to ,dr4 ,wood to-day1 and have informed him how grateful it has been to us to renew our personal intercourse with you4 ,when you have once taken your departure we may hardly hope to meet again1 but ,i shall always thankfully retain the impression of the ability and purity1 and ,christian love1 and missionary zeal1 which have always distinguished your personal intercourse with us4 ,london1 #aith ,june4--,this day ,i had the pleasure of writing to ,rev4 ,william ,morley ,punshon1 inviting him to my house when he comes to ,toronto4 ,i said to him1--,you have probably learned1 ere this reaches you1 that the ,canadian ,conference1 7now consisting of altogether #fab ministers and preachers71 has most cordially and warmly solicited your appointment as its next ,president1 with the request that you will visit and travel through ,canada the current year4 ,i assume that you will accept this appointment1 and ,i understood from ,rev4 ,gervase ,smith that you would probably come to ,canada1 in ,september or ,october next4 ,as ,toronto is the centre of ,methodism in ,canada1 as well as the largest city1 and capital of ,canada ,west1 ,i assume1 for reasons ,i have stated in a letter this day addressed to your friend1 ,mr4 ,gervase ,smith1 that you will make ,toronto your home4 ,i shall be most happy to entertain you and yours1 on your arrival there4 ,i shall be happy to do all in my power to consult your wishes1 and promote your comfort1 as well as usefulness1 in ,canada4 ,i pray that the ,lord will direct your steps1 and prosper your way1 to us in this country4 ,london1 ,july #agth4--,in a note from ,rev4 ,gervase ,smith to ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated ,july #agth1 he says3--,we all seemed to feel from your first call at our house1 that we were adding another valuable friendship to our list1 and we followed you over the water with many kind feelings and remembrances4 ,i am very glad to hear so cheering an account of your ,conference4 ,as far as ,i can see1 the way is opening out for ,mr4 ,punshon's visit to ,canada1 as clearly as you or his friends in this country could wish4 ,his removal from us1 even for a space1 will be a great loss to us2 and on grounds of friendship1 especially so to myself2 but ,i hope it is all right4 ,it is our earnest prayer that he1 and the ,conference in his case1 may be guided rightly4 ,i should very much like to accompany him4 ,i do not give up the hope of seeing you and the ,canadian world1 during his residence among you4 ,i have formed a secret resolution to steal away for a few weeks within the next year or two4 ,but perhaps it is wrong to anticipate4 ,ye know not what shall be on the morrow4 ,toronto1 #bdth ,july4--,i was thankful this day to receive from ,rev4 ,wm4 ,morley ,punshon a letter dated ,bristol1 #ajth ,july1 acknowledging mine to him of the #aith ,june4 ,he says3--,it brought me the only intimation which ,i have yet received of the request of the ,canadian ,conference that ,i should be appointed to preside over its next session4 ,i feel humbled and thankful for this mark of the confidence of my brethren over the water1 and1 if ,providence opens my way1 shall regard myself as favoured with no mean opportunity of getting and doing good4 ,no step in this whole matter has been of my own motion4 ,i am simply passive in the hands of ,god and of ,his ,church4 ,you have very truly interpreted my wishes and feelings in what you have said to some of my brethren4 ,all our affairs are in higher hands than our own2 and if by ,god's overruling providence1 ,i shall be assured of welcome in ,canada1 and enabled to work for ,christ upon that continent1 which ,i have so often longed to see1 ,i shall regard the disruption of all older ties1 and the sacrifice of present position in this country1 as a small price to pay--the more1 if ,i can aid in the establishment of a grand ,methodist confederacy which shall be one of the great spiritual powers of the ,new ,world4 ,dr4 ,ryerson adds1 ,with a grateful heart at ,god's goodness in this matter1 ,i replied to the letter on the #ast of ,august1 #ahfg4 ,while ,i was in ,england in #ahfg1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to me 7,toronto1 ,august #ast17 to say that3--,the ,rev4 ,w4 ,m4 ,punshon1 ,m4,a41 is coming out to ,canada1 in ,october1 with his family4 ,he has addressed me several inquiries1 which ,i answer by this mail2 but ,i wrote him to say who you were1 what your address was in ,london1 and that you could give him every needful information and suggestion as to his best mode of proceedings4 ,i told him ,i would write you1 and request you to write him a line--also telling him your address1 and where you could see him1 if he came to ,london1 and offering him every information in your power1 that he might desire4 ,all things go on as usual in the ,office4 ,rev4 ,gervase ,smith1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated at the ,bristol ,conference1 #dth ,august said3--,we have had many important conversations and decisions4 ,some of which will be interesting to you1 and the ,canadian friends4 ,mr4 ,punshon's appointment to ,canada was made by the ,conference4 ,i need not say that we are all sorely grieved at even the temporary loss of his presence and service4 ,but the call from ,canada was loud1 and ,providence seemed to indicate the way thither4 ,i need not say that you will take care of him1 and let us have him back again as soon as practicable4 ,i am sure that his sojourn among you will be made a great blessing to multitudes1 and ,i doubt not that the future of ,methodism in ,canada will be influenced by it4 ,he is also heartily appointed as our ,representative to the ,general ,conference in ,america4 ,i judge that the ,conference now being held here will be regarded in the future as a very important one4 ,,chapter ,,lxi4 #ahfg4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,address on the ,new ,dominion of ,canada4 ,while ,i was in ,england1 in #ahfg1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to me late in ,july1 to say3--,some of our leading public men were anxious that ,i should do something to assist in placing government upon the right foundation in our new civil state4 ,but before communicating with them ,i determined to write boldly1 an ,address to the people of ,upper ,canada4 ,these friends were delighted when they learned my determination1 after ,i had written about half my address4 ,it was printed last evening4 ,it will1 of course1 draw upon me a great deal of abuse4 ,but ,i have counted the cost1 and thought ,i ought to issue it under the circumstances4 ,i think a reaction is already beginning4 ,i have thought it my duty to make one more special effort to save the country from future wretchedness1 if not ruin1 caused by the bitter party spirit of the press1 whatever it might cost me4444 ,i am wonderfully well2 but take some exercise every day1 and do not work very long at a time4 ,the ,address was issued in pamphlet form in ,july1 #ahfg1 and under the title of ,the ,new ,canadian ,dominion3 ,dangers and ,duties of the ,people in regard to their ,government4 ,from it ,i make the following extracts3 ,while ,i heartily unite in your rejoicings over our new birth as a nation1 ,i beg to address you some words on our national duties and interests4 ,i do so because my opinions and advices have been requested by many persons deeply interested in the public welfare2 because ,i am approaching the close of a public life of more than forty years1 during which ,i have carefully observed the hindrances and aids of our social progress1 and have taken part1 since #ahbe1 in the discussion of all those constitutional questions which involved the rights and relations of religious denominations and citizens1 and which have resulted in our present system of free government and of equal rights among all religious persuasions2 because my heart's desire and prayer to ,god is1 that the new ,dominion of ,canada may become prosperous and happy1 by beginning well1 by avoiding those errors which have in time past been injurious to ourselves1 and which have impeded the progress and marred the peace of other peoples1 and by adopting those maxims of both feeling and conduct which the best and most experienced public men of ,europe and ,america have enjoined as essential to the strength and happiness1 the advancement and grandeur of a nation4444 ,we are passing from an old into a new state of political existence4 ,the alleged evils of former civil relations have induced the creation of new ones2 and the denounced evils of a former system of government have led to the establishment of a new system4444 ,we have been raised from a state of colonial subordination to one of affectionate alliance with the mother country4 ,then the first act of wisdom and duty is1 to note and avoid the evils which marred our peace and prosperity in our former state1 and cultivate those feelings and develop those principles of legislation and government which have contributed most to the promotion of our own happiness and interests as well as those of other nations4 ,if you will call up to your recollection the events of our country's history for the last twenty years1 ,i am sure you will agree with me that personal hostilities and party strife have been the most fatal obstacles to our happiness and progress as a people--an immense loss of time and waste of public money in party debates and struggles--a most fruitful source of partiality and corruption in legislation and government4444 ,during the last two years that there has been a cessation of party hostilities and a union of able men of heretofore differing parties for the welfare of the country1 there has been an economy1 intelligence and impartiality in legislation1 and in the whole administration of government1 not equalled for many years past1 a corresponding improvement in the social feelings and general progress of the country1 as well as an elevation of our reputation and character abroad1 in both ,europe and ,america4444 ,in no respect is the education of a people more important than in respect to the principles of their government1 their rights and duties as citizens4 ,this does not come within the range of elementary school teaching2 but ,i have sought to introduce1 as much as possible1 expositions on the principles1 spirit and philosophy of government1 in my annual reports1 and other school addresses and documents1 during the last twenty years1 and so to frame the whole school system as to make its local administration an instrument of practical education to the people1 in the election of representatives1 and the corporate management of their affairs--embracing most of the elementary principles and practice of civil government1 and doing so to a greater extent than is done in the school system of any country in ,europe1 or of any ,state in ,america4 ,and the strength and success of the school system in any municipality have been in proportion to the absence of party spirit1 and the union of all parties for its promotion4444 ,what is true in school polity is true in civil polity2 and what is true in the educational branch of the public service1 is true in every branch of the public service4 ,i am aware that many good and intelligent men1 of different views and associations1 regard partyism as a necessity1 a normal element1 in the operations of free civil government4444 ,i think they are in error1 at least in the ,canadian sense of the term party2 and that this error has been at the bottom of most of our civil discords and executive abuses4 ,i think that partyism is a clog in the machinery of civil government1 as in that of school or municipal government2 in which there is free discussion of measures1 and of the conduct of ,trustees and ,councillors2 and there have been elections and changes of men as well as of measures4444 ,when party assumptions and intolerance have gone so far as to interfere with the proper functions of government1 with the constitutional rights of citizens1 or of the ,crown1 ,i have1 at different times1 in former years1 being trammelled by or dependent upon no party1 endeavoured to check these party excesses1 and oppressions1 sometimes to the offence of one party1 and sometimes to the offence of another1 just as one or the other might be the transgressor4 ,i was1 of course1 much assailed by the parties rebuked2 but no consideration of that kind should prevent the public instructor--whether educator or preacher--from 444 teaching what he believes to be true and essential to the advancement of society1 please or offend whom it may1 or however it may affect him personally4 ,i have rejoiced to observe1 that many who have heretofore been men of party and of party government have resolved to inaugurate the new system of government1 not upon the acute angle of party1 but1 upon the broad base of equal and impartial justice to all parties1 the only moral and patriotic principle of government1 according to my convictions1 and the only principle of government to make good and great men1 and make a progressive and happy country4444 ,thankful to find that the new system of civil government was to be established upon the same principles as those on which our school system has been founded and developed to the satisfaction of the country1 and to the admiration of all foreign visitors2 and believing that the present was the juncture of time for commencing a new and brighter era in the history of ,canada--,i have felt that it had a claim to the result1 in epitome at least1 of my fifty years reading and meditation1 and more than forty years occasional discussion1 respecting these first principles of government1 for the freedom1 unity1 happiness1 advancement and prosperity of a people4444 ,i believe there is a judgment1 a conscience1 a heart in the bosom of a people1 as well as in that of an individual1 not wholly corrupted--at least1 so ,i have in time past found it in the people of ,upper ,canada--and to that judgment1 and conscience1 and heart1 ,i appeal4 ,if what ,i have written is true1 and if what ,i have suggested is wise1 just1 and patriotic1 ,i am not concerned as to what any deceptive or dishonest art can do to the contrary2 for1 as ,robert ,hall beautifully said1 on a similar occasion1 ,wisdom and truth1 the offspring of the sky1 are immortal2 but cunning and deception1 the meteors of the earth1 after glittering for a moment1 must pass away4 ,after devoting several pages to illustrate the evils of partyism in government1 ,dr4 ,ryerson proceeds3--,this partyism in government is contrary to the avowed principles and objects of reformers in the true heroic age of ,canadian reform4 ,equal rights and privileges among all classes1 without regard to sect or party1 was the motto of the reformers of those days1 and was repeated and placed upon their banners in almost every variety of style and form4 ,and what was understood and meant by that expressive motto1 in the whole administration of government1 will be seen from the following facts3--,the reformers and reform press of ,upper ,canada1 hailed and rejoiced in the principles of the government of ,lord ,durham1 ,lord ,sydenham and ,sir ,charles ,bagot4 ,the ,earl of ,durham1 in his reply to the address of the citizens of ,toronto1 ,july1 #ahch1 said3 ,on my part1 ,i promise you an impartial administration of government4 ,determined not to recognize the existence of parties1 provincial or imperial1 classes or races1 ,i shall hope to receive from all ,her ,majesty's subjects those public services1 the efficiency of which must ever mainly depend upon their comprehensiveness4 ,extend the veil of oblivion over the past1 direct to the future your best energies1 and the consequences cannot be doubted4 ,the favourite phrase and avowed doctrine of ,lord ,sydenham was equal and impartial justice to all classes of ,her ,majesty's subjects4 ,after the union of the ,canadas1 ,lord ,sydenham appointed ,mr4 ,draper ,attorney-,general1 and the late ,mr4 ,r4 ,baldwin1 ,solicitor-,general--the first coalition in ,upper ,canada4 ,he also intimated at the time that he attached equal importance to the return of ,mr4 ,draper and ,mr4 ,baldwin2 and that opposition to the one as well as to the other1 under whatever pretence it may be got up1 is equally opposition to the ,governor-,general's administration4 ,parties and party spirit have nearly ruined the country2 the object of the ,governor-,general is to abolish parties and party feelings by uniting what is good in both parties4444 ,lord ,sydenham's two years administration of the ,canadian government proved the greatest boon to ,upper ,canada1 and the principles and policy of it were highly approved by ,reformers and the ,reform press generally4444 ,judge ,story1 in his ,commentaries on the ,constitution of the ,united ,states1 says3-- ,the best talents and the best virtues are driven from office by intrigue and corruption1 or by the violence of the press or of party4 ,in harmony with the statement of the great ,judge ,story1 the famous ,french writer1 ,m4 de ,tocqueville1 in his ,democracy in ,america1 observes3-- ,it is a well authenticated fact that1 at the present day1 the most talented men in the ,united ,states are very rarely placed at the head of affairs1 and it must be acknowledged that such has been the result in proportion as democracy has outstripped its former limits4 ,the race of ,american statesmen has evidently dwindled most remarkably in the course of the last fifty years4 ,these remarks of ,m4 de ,tocqueville apply to some extent to ,canada where there has been a manifest decline in the standing and ability of our public men4 ,there are exceptions1 but what instances have we now of the representatives or equals of the ,robinsons1 the ,macaulays1 the ,bidwells1 the ,jones'1 the ,lafontaines1 the ,hagermans1 the ,baldwins1 the ,drapers1 the ,willsons1 and many other political men of forty and twenty years ago8#adi ,to what is this decline in public men1 in an otherwise advancing country1 to be ascribed but to the unscrupulous partizanship of the press and politics1 which blacken character instead of discussing principles1 which fight for office instead of for the public good1 and that by a barbarous system of moral assassination1 instead of public men respecting and protecting each other's standing1 and rivalling each other's deeds of greatness and usefulness4 ,in ,england1 the character of public men is regarded as the most precious property of the nation2 and if the personal character of any member of ,parliament1 or other public man1 is assailed by the public press or otherwise1 you will see opponents as well as friends rallying round the assailed1 and sustaining and shielding him by their testimony1 as a matter of common or national concern4 ,when ,sir ,robert ,peel1 in the last great debate of his life1 objected to ,lord ,palmerston's ,grecian policy1 he referred to ,lord ,palmerston's character and abilities--not to depreciate and calumniate his great rival1 but to exclaim1 amid the applause of the ,house of ,commons1 ,we are proud of the man6 ,and ,england is proud of the man6 ,but in ,canada1 the language of a partizan press and politician is down with the man2 execrate and execute the man as a corruptionist and traitor6 ,it is with a view to the best interests of our whole country1 that ,i have thus addressed my fellow countrymen1 contributing the results of my best thoughts and experience to your beginning well1 that you may do well and be well under our new ,dominion1 though ,i cannot expect long to enjoy it4 ,my nearly half a century of public life is approaching its close4 ,i am soon to account for both my words and my deeds4 ,i have little to hope or fear from man4 ,but ,i wish before ,i go hence to see my fellow citizens of all sects and parties unite in commencing a new system of government for our country and posterity1 ,that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours1 upon the best and surest foundations1 that peace and happiness1 truth and justice1 religion and piety1 may be established among us for all generations4 ,on the publication of this ,address1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received commendatory letters from various gentlemen throughout the ,province4 ,i select three4 ,the first is from ,mr4 ,jasper ,j4 ,gilkison1 ,brantford1 dated ,august #ajth3-- ,as a ,canadian and ,british subject1 permit me to thank you for the admirable pamphlet which you have had published1 as it is the one thing wanted for the instruction and guidance of the people of the ,dominion1 aye1 and for the world4 ,it should be circulated free throughout the land4 ,never in the history of any country did a more favourable opportunity arise to test the fallacy that good government can alone emanate from that of party4 ,we have1 in fact1 had an illustration of no-party government during the past few years productive of peace and quiet among us1 and it could be continued indefinitely1 were it not for bad-hearted men4 ,were men actuated solely for the welfare and progress of our country1 the ,government could most successfully be carried on1 much in the same way as a great company2 the ,executive and ,parliament being somewhat analagous to a board of directors and shareholders4 ,your pamphlet cannot fail to be productive of immense good1 for it will cause reflection on a subject but little thought of by many with a vast amount of ignorance as to the true form of government calculated to confer the greatest benefits and happiness on a people1 and which1 ,i think1 you have clearly pointed out4 ,in our present position1 were the ,government to try the experiment1 and take ,parliament into its counsels1 ,i fancy it would succeed1 by all uniting for the common good4 ,the second was from ,mr4 ,wm4 7now ,judge7 ,elliot1 dated ,london1 ,august #bjth3-- ,allow me to express to you a sense of gratitude1 which ,i feel in common1 ,i trust1 with all reasonable people1 on the occasion of your address on the political aspect of the ,dominion of ,canada4 ,i have had some limited connection with political contests in this part of the ,province1 and what ,i have seen and learned impels me to offer you my humble thanks for this contribution to our political treasury4 ,whether we have arrived at such a condition of society as entirely to discard party political conflict may1 ,i suppose1 admit of serious doubt4 ,but that at this juncture your admonitions are most valuable1 all who reflect on the future will1 ,i think1 acknowledge4 ,in more than one electoral contest already1 ,i have referred1 ,i believe with good effect1 to your remarks1 and ,i beg of you to allow me the pleasure of thus acknowledging the value of your counsel4 ,that you may long be spared to advance the educational interests of the country1 and to allay the discord and acrimony of faction1 is the sincere prayer of yours faithfully1 ,william ,elliot4 ,the third from a gentleman in ,matilda3-- ,permit me to thank you for the seasonable pamphlet you have issued on the ,dominion1 and the sound advice it contains1 addressed to the people of this country4 ,i have read it with pleasure1 and am of opinion that it should be scattered broadcast1 for the consideration of electors at this very important juncture4 ,,footnotes3 #adi ,it affords me pleasure to remark1 and ,i do so without any reference to the political opinions or relations of the gentlemen concerned1 that some of our rising ,canadians have entered1 and others are seeking an entrance into ,parliamentary life upon the ground of their own avowed principles1 personal character and merit1 as free men1 and to exercise their talents as such1 and not as the articled confederates1 or protegs1 or joints in the tail of partizanship4 ,free and independent men in the ,legislature1 as in the country1 are the best counterpoise to faction1 and the mainspring to a nation's progress and greatness4 ,faction dreads independent men2 patriotism requires them4 ,,chapter ,,lxii4 #ahfh-ahfi4 ,correspondence with ,hon4 ,george ,brown4--,dr4 ,punshon4 ,on the #bdth of ,march1 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed the following letter to the ,hon4 ,george ,brown3-- ,i desire1 on this the #feth anniversary of my birth1 to assure you of my hearty forgiveness of the personal wrongs which1 ,i think1 you have done me in past years1 and of my forgetfulness of them so far1 at least1 as involves the least unkindness and unfriendliness of feeling4 ,to express free and independent opinions on the public acts of public men1 to animadvert severely upon them when considered censurable1 is both the right and duty of the press2 nor have ,i ever been discourteous1 or felt any animosity towards those who have censured my official acts1 or denounced my opinions4 ,had ,i considered that you had done nothing more in regard to myself1 ,i should have felt and acted differently from what ,i have done in regard to you--the only public man in ,canada with whom ,i have not been on speaking and personally friendly terms4 ,but while ,i wish in no way to influence your judgment and proceedings in relation to myself1 ,i beg to say that ,i cherish no other than feelings of good will1 with which ,i hope to 7as ,i soon must7 stand before the ,judge of all the earth--imploring1 as well as granting forgiveness for all the wrong deeds done in the body4 ,on the same day ,mr4 ,brown replied as follows3-- ,i have received your letter of this day1 and note its contents4 ,i am entirely unconscious of any personal wrong ever done you by me1 and had no thought of receiving forgiveness at your hands4 ,what ,i have said or written of your public conduct or writings has been dictated solely by a sense of public duty1 and has never1 ,i feel confident1 exceeded the bounds of legitimate criticism1 in view of all attendant circumstances4 ,what has been written of you in the columns of the ,globe newspaper1 so far as ,i have observed1 has been always restrained within the limits of fair criticism toward one holding a position of public trust4 ,as to your personal attacks on myself--those who pursue the fearless course as a politician and public journalist that ,i have done for a quarter of a century1 cannot expect to escape abuse and misrepresentation2 and assuredly your assaults have never affected my course toward you in the slightest degree4 ,your series of letters printed in the ,leader newspaper some years ago1 were not1 ,i am told1 conceived in a very ,christian spirit1 but ,i was ill at the time they were published1 and have never read them4 ,your dragging my name into your controversy with the ,messrs4 ,campbell--on a matter with which ,i had no personal concern whatever--was one of those devices unhappily too often resorted to in political squabbles to be capable of exciting more than momentary indignation4 ,the following letter from ,dr4 ,ryerson to ,mr4 ,brown1 dated ,toronto1 ,april #acth1 closed the correspondence3--,your note of the #bdth ult41 did not reach me until ,saturday evening--night before last4 ,i wrote my note of that date with the view of forgetting1 rather than reviving1 the recollection of past discussions4 ,i never objected to the severest criticisms of my public conduct or writings4 ,my remarks had sole reference to your personal attacks and assaults1 made over your own name1 and involving all that was dear to me as a man1 and a father1 and a ,christian--personal attacks and assaults to which my letters in the ,leader referred to by you1 and which you had engaged to insert in the ,globe1 but afterwards refused1 were a reply2 in the course of which ,i convicted you not only of many misstatements1 but of seven distinct forgeries--you1 by additions1 professing to quote from me in seven instances the very reverse of what ,i had written1 and your having done all this to sustain personal attacks and assaults upon me4 ,besides this1 on at least two subsequent occasions1 you charged me with what involved an imputation of dishonesty2 and when ,i transmitted to you copies of official correspondence relating to the subject of your allegations1 and refuting them1 you refused to insert it in the ,globe1 and left your false accusations unretracted to this day4 ,it was to such personal attacks and assaults on your part against me1 and not to any legitimate criticisms upon my public conduct or writings1 that ,i referred in my letter of the #bdth ult4 ,i admit the general fairness of the ,globe towards me during the last few months2 but that does not alter the character of your former personal attacks and assaults upon me1 and to which alone what you call my personal attacks and assaults upon you were but defensive replies and rejoinders4 ,i certainly have no reason to be dissatisfied with the results of such personal attacks and replies1 notwithstanding your great advantage in having a powerful press at your disposal2 and ,i am prepared for the future1 as ,i have been for the past1 though ,i wish1 if possible1 to live peaceably with all men4 99 99 99 99 99 ,dr4 ,ryerson having been appointed delegate 7with ,dr4 ,punshon7 to the ,american ,general ,conference of #ahfh1 at ,chicago1 he wrote to me from that city on the #adth of ,may3-- ,on our way here we stopped at ,london1 where ,mr4 ,punshon lectured nobly4 ,we reached here ,tuesday evening1 and were most heartily welcomed by ,bishop ,janes1 and by our hosts4 ,we were introduced to the ,conference to-day1 and were most cordially received4 ,mr4 ,punshon was introduced by ,bishop ,janes1 and made a touching and noble address1 which won the hearts of the ,conference1 and vast audience1 and was frequently and loudly cheered4 ,i was introduced heartily and eulogistically by ,bishop ,simpson1 and addressed the ,conference4 ,the latter part of my address was warmly cheered4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,richey1 ,president1 and ,representative of the ,eastern ,conference of ,british ,america1 was introduced by ,bishop ,simpson1 and made a very excellent address to the ,conference4 ,mr4 ,punshon preached powerfully and gloriously before the ,conference and an immense crowd to-day2 all were delighted1 and seemed deeply affected4 ,on the #ahth of ,may1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote again to me3-- ,mr4 ,punshon has made a wonderful impression here by his addresses and discourses1 beyond any thing they have ever heard from the pulpit and the platform4 ,he is to lecture to-morrow evening in the ,opera ,house--the largest room in ,chicago--and there is a great rage to get tickets4 ,he preached there yesterday afternoon to several thousand persons1 a great part of whom were affected to tears several times4 ,i trust that many sinners were awakened1 while believers were greatly comforted and encouraged4 ,we went out on ,saturday on an excursion train to ,clinton1 in ,iowa1 #ade miles west of this1 crossing the ,mississippi there1 by railroad1 and crossing the prairies4 ,the people of ,clinton--,presbyterians1 etc41 and ,methodists--united1 and prepared an excellent dinner for three hundred and six persons1 after which speeches were delivered4 ,the ,north-,west ,railroad ,company prepared the excursion gratuitously for the ,general ,conference4 ,dr4 ,ryerson having addressed a request to the ,british ,conference for the re-appointment of ,rev4 ,w4 ,m4 ,punshon to ,canada1 ,rev4 ,gervase ,smith replied on the #agth of ,august3-- ,your first request was complied with without much debate4 ,mr4 ,punshon is transferred to you for a term4 ,the second request raised a long discussion2 the result of which was that you should be left to elect your own ,president next year4 ,mr4 ,arthur1 ,drs4 ,waddy and ,rigg1 and others1 pleaded for ,mr4 ,punshon's appointment on the ground that the preceding vote placed him under ,canadian jurisdiction4 ,but there were others who were influenced by the consideration that to leave you to elect your own ,president1 would doubtless lead to ,mr4 ,punshon's election4 ,i pray that you all may be guided rightly at this important juncture4 ,dr4 ,punshon's continued residence in ,canada was a source of great delight to ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,of the wonderfully beneficial effects upon ,canadian ,methodism of that memorable visit1 it is not necessary that ,i should speak4 ,the hallowed memories of those days are engraven on thousands of hearts on both sides of the lines4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,r4 ,f4 ,burns1 of the ,fort ,massey ,presbyterian ,church1 ,halifax1 in a letter to the ,presbyterian ,witness1 gives the following graphic account of the visit of ,drs4 ,ryerson1 ,punshon1 and ,richey to the ,general ,conference at ,chicago4 ,the ,wesleyan1 of ,halifax1 speaking of ,dr4 ,burns' letter1 says3--,the reminiscence is of special interest to the editor of this paper1 as he was one of the party who lunched with ,dr4 ,ryerson at ,dr4 ,burns' on the occasion mentioned4 ,dr4 ,burns says3-- ,a memory of the worthy man comes up which you will excuse me for jotting down4 ,in the summer of #ahfh1 during my residence in ,chicago1 the ,quadrennial ,convention of the ,methodist ,episcopal ,church was held4 ,it was then that ,i first made the acquaintance of ,dr4 ,punshon1 who came out as delegate from the ,english ,conference to that great gathering4 ,dr4 ,matthew ,richey was there representing the ,methodism of ,eastern1 and ,dr4 ,ryerson of ,western ,canada4 ,quite a colony of ,canadian ,methodists came over1 including my old friend ,rev4 ,a4 ,f4 ,bland1 to whom the celebrated ,robert ,collyer expressed himself more indebted than to any other living man4 ,i invited several of the ,methodist brethren to luncheon--,drs4 ,ryerson and ,richey of the number--7,punshon had a prior engagement74 ,ryerson had given his speech that forenoon1 and ,richey too1 with characteristic ability1 representing the two ,canadian ,conferences4 ,dr4 ,richey had1 a little before1 met with the accident1 but yet though he had aged and failed considerably since the days when ,i counted him the beau-ideal of elegance in manner and style in pulpit and on platform1 he bore himself with much of his former stately demeanour and fine felicity of diction4 ,ryerson was hale and hearty as of yore1 and with perhaps less of the old tendency to tremble while speaking which surprised me so much when ,i first witnessed it1 for1 under the influence of strong feeling1 and a sort of constitutional timidity1 linked in him with indomitable pluck1 his limbs--indeed often his whole massive frame--so shook that ,i have felt the platform quiver4 ,the ,rev4 ,george ,goodson told me in an undertone of an unkind remark made by a distinguished member of the ,conference to his neighbour as ,dr4 ,ryerson got up to speak1 and that he had rebuked him for it1 not knowing at the time who he was4 ,this gentleman1 it came out in course of conversation1 was closely related to ,elder ,henry ,ryan1 a well-known minister in the old ,canada ,methodist ,church1 with whom ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in his early days1 carried on a keen warfare4 ,the ,ryan-,ryerson controversy is one with which the older ,canadian ,methodists are familiar4 ,without hinting at the rudeness of his relative1 ,i alluded to ,elder ,ryan when conversing with ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and got from him in graphic detail1 the history of that ancient controversy in which he was a principal party4 ,it was very keen while it lasted1 but there was no bitter animus in the recital--though the old war horse pricked up his ears and seemed to hear the sound of battle from afar4 ,i then discovered a reason for the sharp tone of the gentleman's remarks1 aforesaid1 which drew forth ,brother ,goodson's rebuke4 ,though but four years of age when he left ,canada1 he had imbibed a dislike to his old relative's chief antagonist1 and to the very people amongst whom the ,ryerson party had proved victorious4 ,hence his remark on another occasion to a lady friend of mine1 with reference to his early connection with ,canada1 to the effect that he was ashamed of being born there1 which so roused her patriotic spirit that she promptly retorted3 ,well1 ,i am ashamed of you for saying so4 ,the gentleman was then one of the rising hopes of that great denomination1 and has since risen to a foremost rank in it4 ,when this little incident was mentioned to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 he richly enjoyed it1 and before leaving the house1 with his native gallantry1 he expressed a desire to use the privileges of an old man towards the fair defendress of her country's honour1 saying1 naively1 as we all stood1 before parting in the hall1 ,i would like to kiss you for your patriotism8 7,see chapter vii47 ,while at ,peake's ,island1 near ,portland1 ,maine1 in #ahfi1 ,dr4 ,ryerson met with a serious accident1 which nearly proved fatal4 ,in a letter to me1 he said3-- ,on ,monday a plank from the wharf to a vessel1 on the outside of which lay our boat1 fell and precipitated me some feet on the deck of the vessel2 ,i falling on my head1 shoulder1 and side4 ,i was stunned and much injured1 and have suffered much from my side2 but ,i am now getting better and am able to dress myself1 and to use my right arm4 ,my head came within six inches of the band which surrounds the hatchway4 ,there was thus but six inches between me and sudden death6 ,i am truly thankful for my deliverance1 and for my blessings4 ,,chapter ,,lxiii4 #ahgj-ahge4 ,miscellaneous ,closing ,events and ,correspondence4 ,on the #bcrd of ,april1 #ahgj1 ,rev4 ,drs4 ,punshon1 ,wood and ,taylor1 ,chairman and ,secretaries of the ,central ,board of ,wesleyan ,missions1 addressed a letter to ,sir ,george ,cartier1 ,minister of ,militia1 on the subject of sending a ,methodist chaplain with the ,red ,river expedition under ,general ,lindsay and the present ,lord ,wolseley4 ,in their letter they said3-- ,believing that many who will volunteer to complete this enterprize will be members of our own church1 we are desirous of securing your official sanction to the appointment of a ,wesleyan ,minister as ,chaplain to that portion of the military expedition who are professedly attached to our doctrines and ordinances1 upon such terms as may be agreed upon1 affecting personal rights and military operations and duties4 ,this letter was merely acknowledged1 and no action was taken upon it4 ,in the following ,june ,conference1 the subject was brought up1 and much feeling was evoked at ,sir ,george ,cartier's apparent want of courtesy to the ,missionary ,board4 ,sir ,alexander ,campbell1 on seeing a report of the ,conference proceedings on the subject1 wrote a very kind note to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in which he expressed his opinion that some mistake must have occurred in the matter1 and that he was sure no discourtesy was thought of on the part of ,sir ,george ,cartier4 ,to this note ,dr4 ,ryerson replied on the #ahth of ,june3-- ,i yesterday received your very kind letter of the #acth inst4 ,i think you know too well my high respect1 and even affection for you1 and my expectations long since formed of your success and usefulness to the country1 as a public man1 to doubt my implicit confidence in any statement made by you1 and my desire to meet your views as far as possible4 ,in the matter as relating to ,sir ,george ,e4 ,cartier1 ,i may remark1 that the ,president of the ,wesleyan ,conference stated to me the week before its annual meeting1 that a communication had been addressed by himself1 and the ,missionary ,secretaries1 to ,sir ,george ,cartier respecting our sending a ,wesleyan ,minister with the ,red ,river expedition1 to supply the spiritual wants of many members of our own congregations1 and proposing to confer with him 7,sir ,g4 ,c47 as to the arrangement2 that he regarded the treatment of their letter by ,sir ,george as discourteous1 and that he thought the ,conference should be informed of it1 and that it should take some action on the subject4 ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood1 senior ,missionary ,secretary1 read to the ,conference the correspondence and the draft of four resolutions1 on the subject of which he gave notice4 ,i was not in the ,conference when this took place4 ,on reading ,dr4 ,wood's resolutions1 ,i suggested some modifications of them1 and prepared resolutions which he preferred to his own1 and which ,i proposed for adoption the day after giving notice of them4 ,as to ,sir ,george's courtesy1 ,i may observe that the letter addressed to him1 proposed a conference with him on the subject3 that his ,deputy1 in reply1 by direction of ,sir ,george ,cartier1 as he says1 acknowledged the receipt of the letter addressed to him1 but though that letter was dated at ,toronto1 and signed officially1 the answer to it was addressed simply to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,punshon1 ,montreal1 and no further notice taken of it to this day4 ,and it seems that ,sir ,george did not think it worth his while even to mention1 much less submit the letter1 to you and your colleagues from ,upper ,canada4 ,in regard to the question of chaplain1 our view is1 and the proposal contemplated by our ,president and ,missionary ,secretaries was1 that the ,government should not pay any salary to the chaplain1 but simply provide his rations and accommodations4 ,it is our view that the ,government should not pay or appoint any chaplain1 but leave to each denomination the right of doing so1 if it should think proper4 ,each chaplain thus nominated and paid1 to be recognized by the military authorities1 and be subject1 of course1 to the military regulations4 ,in such circumstances1 it is probable there would have been three ,protestant chaplains--,church of ,england1 ,presbyterian1 and ,methodist4 ,i infer or assume this on the ground of experience4 ,in our ,normal ,school of one hundred and fifty students1 each is asked his religious persuasion1 and the chief minister of that persuasion is furnished with a list of the names of students adhering to or professing his ,church1 and the day1 and hour1 and place where he can give them religious instruction4 ,the result is1 that by mutual consultation and agreement of ministers1 all the ,presbyterians1 including even the ,congregationalists and ,baptists1 meet in one class1 and receive religious instruction from one minister1 the ministers agreeing to take the labour in successive sessions--one minister performing all the duty one session4 ,the arrangement voluntarily exists among the different classes of ,methodists--though ,wesleyan ministers do all the work4 ,a ,church of ,england minister attends to the instruction and religious oversight of the ,church of ,england students1 and the chief ,roman ,catholic priest does the same in regard to the ,roman ,catholic students4 ,nothing can be more fair1 practical1 and satisfactory than a similar arrangement in regard to the ,red ,river expedition4 ,what may be the peculiar views1 habits1 etc4 of the ,church of ,england chaplain appointed and salaried by the ,government1 ,i know not2 but you know as well as ,i do that a man being a clergyman of the ,church of ,england is no longer a guarantee that he does not entertain and teach views and practices more subversive of unsophisticated ,protestant principles and feelings than could be as successfully done by a ,roman ,catholic priest4 ,besides1 as a general rule1 men1 especially young men1 do not regard1 and are not controlled1 as to their own worship and pastorate1 except by the services and pastoral oversight to which they are accustomed and attached2 and without such influence and aid to the preservation and strengthening of moral principles1 habits1 and feelings1 more young men are liable to be demoralized and ruined in military expeditions1 such as that of the ,red ,river1 than are likely to be killed in battle or die of disease4 ,this is the view for which the ,methodist body will contend1 whatever may be the result4 ,the ,secretaries of the ,bible ,society went among the volunteers1 while at ,toronto1 and proffered a ,bible to each one that would accept of it1 and found on inquiry1 that four-fifths of the volunteers1 even from ,lower ,canada1 were ,protestants1 and a much larger proportion of the volunteers of ,upper ,canada1 and a large number of them not members of the ,church of ,england but ,methodists and ,presbyterians4 ,of course1 it answers the ,roman ,catholic purpose1 and will doubtless be acceptable to many members of the ,church of ,england1 for the ,government to appoint and pay chaplains of those persuasions2 but ,i am persuaded there will be little difference of a contrary opinion on the subject among the ministers and members of the excluded persuasions4 ,i wish ,i could share with you in your expressed confidence in ,sir ,george ,cartier1 but ,i have no such confidence in him1 and especially in the ecclesiastical influence under the dictation of which he acts4 ,wherein ,i may have been misinformed1 and may not have stated matters correctly1 ,i shall be prepared to correct any such errors1 when ,i come to reply to the various attacks which have been made upon me1 in vindication of myself1 and the ,wesleyan ,conference in regard to the complaint made1 and the position assumed in respect to ,sir ,george ,e4 ,cartier1 and the ,red ,river business4 ,on the #cjth ,june1 ,mr4 ,james ,wallace1 of ,whitby1 addressed ,dr4 ,ryerson a letter on the subject1 in which he said3-- ,a stranger to you personally1 although not so to your many able1 pungent1 and truthful letters1 connected with public matters1 that have from time to time appeared in the public press3 ,i trust you will excuse this liberty1 and accept my congratulations on your last effort in that connection as published in the ,globe4 ,i have some knowledge of the ,red ,river matter1 having been there during the first stages of the rebellion1 and had1 therefore1 chances of becoming acquainted with its origin and progress that few men had2 and when ,i see one in your position come forward so bravely and lay bare the origin of that infamous revolt1 ,i must say that ,i feel proud of you as a ,canadian1 and not only of you1 but of the body with which you are connected1 who so nobly sustained you4 ,on the #bdth ,august1 #ahgj1 the corner stone of the ,metropolitan ,church1 ,toronto1 was laid4 ,dr4 ,ryerson felt that it was a memorable day in the annals of ,methodism in ,toronto4 ,i was honoured 7he said7 by being selected to lay the corner stone of the ,metropolitan ,church4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon1 ,president of the ,conference was present1 and delivered an admirable address4 ,he also read one which ,i had prepared1 but which ,i was unable to deliver myself4 ,the auspicious event of the day amply repaid me for the anxiety which ,i had so long felt in regard to the success of the enterprise1 and for the responsibility which1 with other devoted brethren1 ,i had personally assumed to secure the site1 and carry to a successful issue the erection of a building which would be an honour to ,methodism1 and a credit to the cause in ,toronto4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the #agth ,march1 #ahga1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received a letter from the venerable ,rev4 ,dr4 ,james ,dixon1 dated ,bradford1 ,eng41 #bnd inst4 ,in it he says3--,in my eighty-third year1 blind1 deaf1 and so paralyzed as to be unable to walk without assistance1 ,i feel that the world is fast receding4 ,having sense and affection remaining1 ,i feel desirous of holding a little fellowship once more with you1 my dear old friend4 ,the world to me looks like one of your forests with the trees cut down1 except here and there one a little stronger than the rest4 ,i look upon you as one of those1 vigorous forest trees still remaining4 ,and may you long remain1 a blessing to your country and the ,church6 ,after referring to his own religious life and experiences1 he concludes3--,as long as ,i live my affection for you will never vary4 ,i also remember other ,canadian friends with great interest and affection4 ,farewell6 my dear old friend4 ,we shall meet again before long in a brighter world4 ,if you can find time1 ,i shall be most happy to receive a line from you4 ,illustration ,dr4 ,ryerson did find time to respond to the letter of his dear and valued friend ,dr4 ,dixon4 ,his venerable aspect was well remembered1 when1 as ,president of the ,canada ,conference in #ahdh1 he did good and valued service for the ,methodist ,church in ,canada4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the #bith of ,june1 #ahga1 ,mr4 ,john ,macdonald and ,rev4 ,dr4 ,evans having asked ,dr4 ,ryerson to enclose to ,rev4 ,w4 ,m4 ,punshon a letter urging him to continue his noble work in ,canada1 he did so most heartily1 as the letter to be enclosed expressed the real sentiments not only of the ministers and members of the ,church generally1 but those of the country at large4 ,dr4 ,ryerson accompanied the letter with a note from himself1 in which he said to ,mr4 ,punshon3--,to have the power1 as ,god has given you1 to mould1 to a large extent1 the energies and labours of six hundred ministers1 and developments of the ,canadian ,church1 and to control largely the public mind in religious and benevolent enterprises--looking at the future of our country--appears to me to present a field of usefulness that ,mr4 ,wesley himself might have coveted in his day4 ,all that ,god has enabled you to do already in this country is but the foundation and beginning of what there is the prospect of your doing hereafter by the ,divine blessing4 ,you know this is the old ground on which ,i first proposed to you to come to this country1 and which ,i am sure you have no reason to regret4 ,this is the only ground on which ,i ought to desire your continued connection with it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a pleasing episode in the ,globe controversy respecting ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,first ,lessons on ,christian ,morals1 occurred in ,june1 #ahgb4 ,bishop ,bethune1 in his address to the ,synod of the ,diocese of ,toronto1 spoke of the increasing spread of evil1 and of the duty of the ,church1 under her ,divine ,master1 to cope with it4 ,he said3 ,her work is1 confessedly1 to lead fallen man to the true source of pardon1 and to teach him to aim at the recovery of the moral image in which he was at first created4 ,if the passions1 and prejudices1 and divisions of professing ,christians themselves are a distressing hindrance to the attainment of this noble and dutiful aspiration1 we have much in the condition of the world around us to warn and rouse us to a vigorous and united effort to arrest the increasing tide of sin and crime4 ,the developments of a grossly evil spirit at the present day fill us with horror and alarm2 the profligacy and wanton cruelty of which we hear so many instances1 make us tremble for our social peace and safety4 ,it is but right to enquire to what all this enormity of wickedness is traceable1 that we may come1 if possible1 to the remedy4 ,that is largely to be ascribed1 as all must be persuaded1 to the neglect of religious instruction in early life2 to the contentment of peoples and governments to afford a shallow secular education1 without the learning of religious truth1 or the moral obligations that it teaches4 ,the child taught and trained for this world's vocations only1 without a deep inculcation of the love and fear of ,god1 and the penalty hereafter of an irreligious and wicked life1 will have but one leading idea--self-aggrandizement and self-indulgence1 and will be checked by no restraint of conscience in the way and means of securing them4 ,gigantic frauds will be perpetrated1 if riches can thus be acquired2 atrocious murders will be committed1 if these will remove the barrier to unholy and polluting connections1 or cast out of sight the objects of jealousy and hatred4 ,i have no disposition to reprobate this defect in the system of education1 prevailing with the authority and support of ,government among ourselves4 ,i know the difficulty1 the almost impossibility1 of securing the temporal boon with the addition of the spiritual2 how hard it must prove in a divided religious community to introduce among the secular lessons which are meant for usefulness and advancement in this world1 that lofty and holy teaching which trains the soul for heaven4 ,the irreverent and fierce assaults recently made upon a praiseworthy effort of the ,superintendent of ,education in this ,province to introduce a special work for moral and religious instruction amongst our common school pupils1 testify too plainly the difficulty of supplying that want4 ,i have confidence in the good intentions and righteous efforts of that venerable gentleman to do what he can for the amelioration of the evils which the absence of systematic religious teaching of the young must induce2 so that we may have a hope that1 from his tried zeal and unquestionable ability1 a way may be devised by which such essential instruction shall be imparted1 and the terrible evils we deplore to some extent corrected4 ,in response to this portion of his address1 ,dr4 ,ryerson addressed the following note to the ,bishop on the #ast of ,july4 ,i feel it my bounden1 at the same time most pleasurable duty1 to thank you with all my heart for your more than kind reference to myself in your official charge at the opening of the recent ,synod of the ,diocese of ,toronto2 and especially do ,i feel grateful and gratified for your formal and hearty recognition of the ,christian character of our ,public ,school ,system1 and of the efforts which have been made to render that character a practical reality1 and not a mere dead and heartless form4 ,it has also been peculiarly gratifying to me to learn that your ,lordship's allusions to myself and the school system were very generally and cordially cheered by the members of the ,synod4 ,my own humble efforts to invest our school system with a ,christian character and spirit have been seconded from the beginning by the cordial and unanimous co-operation of the ,council of ,public ,instruction2 and without that co-operation my own individual efforts would have availed but little4 ,since the settlement of the common relationship of all religious persuasions to the ,state1 there is a common patriotic ground for the exertions of all1 without the slightest reasonable pretext for political jealousy or hostility on the part of any4 ,on such ground of comprehensiveness1 and of avowed ,christian principles1 ,i have endeavoured to construct our ,public ,school ,system2 such1 and such only has been my aim in the teachings of my little book on ,christian ,morals2 and such only was the aim and spirit of the ,council of ,public ,instruction in the recommendation of it1--a recommendation to which the ,council inflexibly adheres1 and which it has cordially and decidedly vindicated4 ,the ,bishop replied on the #crd of ,july1 thus3--,i have to thank you for your letter of the #ast instant1 received last evening1 and to express my gratification that ,i had the opportunity to bear my humble testimony to your zealous and righteous efforts to promote the sound education of the youth of this ,province4 ,i believe that in the endeavours to give this a moral and religious direction1 you have done all that1 in the circumstances of the country1 it was in your power to accomplish4 ,i was glad1 too1 to give utterance to my protest against the shameless endeavours to hold up to public scorn the valuable little work by which you desired to give a moral and religious tone to the instruction communicated in our ,common ,schools4 ,if more can be done in this direction1 ,i feel assured you would assume any allowable amount of responsibility in the endeavour to effect it4 ,wishing you many years of health and usefulness1 ,i remain1 dear ,dr4 ,ryerson1 very faithfully yours1 ,a4 ,n4 ,toronto4 ,this correspondence affords a striking instance of the fact that the very earnest discussions between the writers of these notes in past years1 had not diminished in any way the personal respect and kindly feeling which happily existed between them4 ,and it was so with the late venerable ,bishop ,strachan1 with whom ,dr4 ,ryerson more than once measured swords in days gone by4 ,among his very latest utterances on the ,separate ,school ,question in the ,synod of #ahef1 he thus referred to the ,head of the ,education ,department and his labours3-- ,one new feature1 which ,i consider of great value1 and for which ,i believe we are altogether indebted to the able ,superintendent1 deserves special notice3 it is the introduction of daily prayers4 ,we find that #ded schools open and close with prayer4 ,this is an important step in the right direction1 and only requires a reasonable extension to render the system in its interior1 as it is already in its exterior1 nearly complete4 ,but till it receives this necessary extension1 the whole system1 in a religious and spiritual view1 may be considered almost entirely dead4 ,i do not say that this is the opinion of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 who no doubt believes his system very nearly perfect2 and so far as he is concerned1 ,i am one of those who appreciate very highly his exertions1 his unwearied assiduity1 and his administrative capacity4 ,i am also most willing to admit that he has carried out the meagre provisions of the several enactments that have any leaning to religion1 as far as seems consistent with a just interpretation of the law4--,charge of #ahef1 pp4 #ae1 #af4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in a note dated ,toronto1 #bnd ,october1 #ahgb1 ,hon4 ,w4 ,b4 ,robinson sent to ,dr4 ,ryerson an extract from the ,barrie ,northern ,advance containing an obituary notice of ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,in enclosing it1 ,mr4 ,robinson said3-- ,i send you a ,barrie paper that ,i think will amuse you4 ,it is not often we are permitted to see ourselves as others see us when once we go hence and are no more seen1--but you are an exception1 and ,i congratulate you on such being the fact2 and hope the ,editor will be satisfied that he is in advance of the times1 and may have cause to give you credit for much more good work in the position you have so long held1 with so much benefit to the country4 ,i observed the death of your brother ,william in the papers a short time ago1 which ,i suppose accounts for the mistake4 ,the extract from the ,barrie paper is as follows3-- ,most of our readers are aware of the fact that the great champion of education in ,upper ,canada has gone to his rest4 ,coming generations1 so long as time lasts1 will owe a debt of gratitude to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 as the only real founder of a comprehensive school system in ,ontario4 ,through evil report and through good report he has steadily worked on his way2 neither daunted by the abuse he has received1 nor unduly elated by the unmeasured tribute of praise paid to his efforts in the department to which his whole life was devoted4 ,he kept the even tenor of his way1 and we think most people1 unblinded by partisan prejudice1 will acknowledge that his life purpose has1 more than that of most men1 been accomplished4 ,he leaves behind him a structure so nearly completed that men with a tithe of his enthusiasm1 and infinitely less knowledge of the educational requirements of the ,province1 can lay the capstone1 and declare the work complete4 ,hon4 ,marshall ,s4 ,bidwell died in ,new ,york shortly after his visit to ,canada in #ahgb4 ,hon4 ,judge ,neilson1 his friend1 wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson for particulars of ,mr4 ,bidwell's early life1 with a view to publish it in a memorial volume4 ,this information ,dr4 ,ryerson obtained from ,sir ,w4 ,b4 ,richards1 ,clarke ,gamble1 ,esq41 ,q4,c41 and ,rev4 ,dr4 ,givens1 and1 with his own1 embodied it in a communication to ,judge ,neilson4 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 dated #cjth ,april1 #ahgc1 the late ,rev4 ,dr4 ,saltern ,givens said3-- ,a short time since1 ,hon4 ,w4 ,b4 ,robinson informed me that a letter of condolence was written by the late ,mr4 ,bidwell to ,lady ,robinson and her family1 on the death of ,sir ,john1 and that he thought it would answer your purpose4444 ,i am sure that you will peruse it with as much pleasure as ,i have done4 ,it ought to be a matter of devout thankfulness and congratulation with us ,canadians1 that two of our most distinguished statesmen and jurists have left behind them such unequivocal and delightful testimonies of their faith in ,christ1 and of their experience of the power of ,his ,gospel1 in extracting the sting from death and in comforting the bereaved4 ,i am sure that ,sir ,john's letters to ,mr4 ,bidwell1 under his similar trial1 if you could obtain them1 would be read with a thrill of delight and profit by their many friends throughout ,canada4 ,when witnessing--as we have done1 some forty years ago--those fierce political contests in which our departed friends were involved1 how little did we think that in the evening of their days they would have been united in the bonds of ,christian love and sympathy1 as this interchange of friendship evinces4 ,the following is ,mr4 ,bidwell's letter to ,hon4 ,w4 ,b4 ,robinson1 dated #bdth ,february1 #ahfc3-- ,i thank you for your kind and friendly letter1 and for the particular account of the closing scenes of the life of your honoured and lamented brother4 ,the wound inflicted by his death can never be altogether healed4 ,the grief which it produces is natural and rational1 and is not inconsistent with any of the precepts1 or with the spirit of the ,gospel4 ,it is a duty1 however1 to keep it within bounds1 and not to allow murmurs in our heart against ,divine ,providence4 ,the language of our hearts should be that of the ,patriarch1 ,the ,lord gave1 and the ,lord taketh away1 blessed be the name of the ,lord4 ,gratitude for the gift should be mingled with our deep sorrow for the loss of it4 ,in my own case1 a consideration of the unspeakable goodness of ,god in having bestowed upon me such an inestimable blessing has been continually present to my mind1 and trust such feelings will abound in the bosom of ,lady ,robinson1 her family1 and yourself4 ,he1 whose removal from earthly scenes your hearts deplore1 was all that you could have desired1 in his public and private character1 and in the homage of universal veneration and esteem4 ,where will you find one like him8 ,was there not great and peculiar goodness in ,god's bestowing him upon you8 ,was he not the joy and pride of your hearts continually8 ,did not his presence irradiate his home1 and make it like an earthly ,paradise8 ,every pang which you may suffer attests the value of the blessing which you have so long had4 ,your gratitude to ,god1 the author of every good and perfect gift1 ought to be in proportion to your grief4 ,it is to be remembered1 also1 that he was not cut down prematurely in the midst of his days1 but had passed the period which ,moses1 the man of ,god1 in his sublime and pathetic prayer 7,psalm xc47 considers as the ordinary boundary of human life1 and retained all his powers and faculties to the last2 and that during this long life he had not been absent from his family1 at least not from ,lady ,robinson 7if ,i am not mistaken7 except during the transient separation when he was on the circuit4 ,it is natural that your hearts should yearn for him1 should long to see him again1 and enjoy the pleasure of his company2 yet death must sooner or later have separated you1 and longer life might have been a scene of suffering4 ,would it not have been inexpressibly painful to you all to have seen his mental and bodily powers decay and fade away8 ,such a spectacle would have been distressing and mortifying4 ,now his memory is associated with no humiliating recollections2 but you remember him as one always admired1 respected and loved4 ,death has set his seal upon him1 and although he is removed from you to return no more to earthly scenes1 you know that it is only a removal1 and that he is now in a state of exalted and perfect1 though ever progressive1 felicity4 ,i trust you have the most consolatory evidence that this is now his present and unalterable state1 and that you constantly think as ,david thought and said1 ,i shall go to him1 but he shall not return to me4 ,in the meantime you have the consolation of knowing that while you remember him with the tenderest affection and interest1 he has not forgotten you1 but has a more distinct and perfect recollection of you than you have of him4 ,that this is literally true is the conviction of my understanding1 founded not only upon reason and analogy1 but upon the irrefragable testimony of divine revelation4 ,there surely is nothing in such a thought that is improbable4 ,we have daily experience of the revival in our minds of past events long forgotten2 they lived there1 though dormant4 ,then how many well authenticated and well known instances1 where persons recovered from drowning have stated that before they lost consciousness1 all the scenes and incidents of their lives flashed instantaneously1 as it were1 upon their minds1 and appeared to be present to their view4 ,they had been treasured up there1 though latent4 ,death does not extinguish the mental faculties1 thought does not cease1 but the conscious and thinking being passes from scenes present to scenes eternal4 ,mortality is swallowed up of life4 ,there would be good ground for this conviction1 if revelation gave us no higher proof2 but it is explicit4 ,every one of us shall give account of himself to ,god4 ,this necessarily implies a perfect recollection of our lives4 ,we are to answer for all the deeds done in the body2 for every idle word1 for every secret and sinful thought and feeling4 ,this requires a perfect recollection of every event1 sentiment1 and emotion of our lives4 ,the soul1 therefore1 must carry into the unseen world a perfect recollection of its associates and friends2 and as there will be no decay then of mental powers1 this will be an abiding1 ever-present recollection4 ,every holy feeling will also continue after death--conjugal1 parental1 filial1 fraternal affections are holy2 they are expressly enjoined upon us by divine authority4 ,love1 indeed1 pure1 fervent affection1 is the characteristic element of ,heaven4 ,it is impossible1 therefore1 that the holy affections should cease at death4 ,i have1 therefore1 a conviction that our departed friends1 whose death we mourn1 remember us distinctly and with tender affection4 ,i have dwelt upon this subject because it has afforded me in my great affliction much consolation1 and if ,i had time1 ,i might expatiate more fully upon it1 and adduce further evidence in support of its truth4 ,yes6 it is a truth1 and therefore it is full of consolation4 ,while we are thinking of our departed friends with grief1 they1 too1 are thinking of us1 with at least equal affection1 and this they will continue to do until we meet4 ,in the meantime we may comfort ourselves with the thought that1 to use the language of a sober and judicious commentator on the sacred ,scriptures1 ,the separation will be short1 the re-union rapturous1 and the subsequent felicity uninterrupted1 unalloyed1 and eternal4 ,i have felt peculiar sympathy for ,lady ,robinson4 ,i am sure her affliction must be extreme4 ,i hope the ,son of ,god is with her in the furnace1 and that she has a consciousness of ,his presence4 ,he can give both support and consolation1 and both she must greatly need4 ,he can gently1 and imperceptibly1 bind up and heal her wounded and bleeding heart4 ,i wish that ,i could furnish reminiscences that would be interesting to you1 for ,i should be glad to testify my respect for the memory of your brother1 but ,i cannot tell you anything with which you are not familiar4 ,i remember distinctly his appearance the first time ,i saw him4 ,he had just returned to ,canada1 after his first visit to ,england4 ,i was a student at law1 and had gone from ,bath to ,toronto1 to attend the ,court of ,king's ,bench at ,michaelmas ,term4 ,he1 and ,lady ,robinson1 came from ,kingston in the steamer ,frontenac4 ,i think that ,mr4 ,hagerman was on board also4 ,from another passenger1 ,i heard that on the voyage they were overtaken at night by a storm1 which stove in the dead-lights1 and poured a flood of water into the cabin4 ,it was a time of alarm1 probably of danger2 your brother was perfectly composed4 ,he came into court on his arrival1 and upon that occasion ,i saw him4 ,his appearance was striking4 ,his features were classically and singularly beautiful2 his countenance was luminous with intelligence and animation2 his whole appearance that of a man of genius and a polished gentleman1 equally dignified and graceful4 ,altogether his features1 figure and manners filled my youthful imagination with admiration1 which subsequent acquaintance1 and opportunities to hear him at the ,bar and in ,parliament1 only strengthened1 and which was not diminished by the difference between us in our views and opinions on public affairs4 ,i heard him frequently at the ,bar1 and upon some occasions1 ,i had the honour to be junior counsel with him4 ,he was a consummate advocate1 as well as a profound and accurate lawyer4 ,he had extraordinary powers for a speech impromptu1 and needed as little time for preparation for an address to a jury1 or an argument to the ,court1 as any one ,i have ever known4 ,but he was never induced by this readiness to neglect a patient and careful attention to his client's case4 ,no one could be more faithful4 ,he studied every case thoroughly1 examined all the particular circumstances1 made himself master of its details1 and considered it carefully1 in all its aspects and relations4 ,i do not think he ever delivered a speech from memory4 ,he was self-possessed in the trial1 his mind was vigilant1 his thoughts flowed rapidly1 he had rapid association of ideas1 great quickness of apprehension1 as well as great sagacity1 and a power of arranging anything in his mind1 luminously and instantaneously2 his fluency was unsurpassed4 ,i was present upon those occasions in ,parliament which aroused him to great exertions4 ,he was at all times a correct1 elegant1 interesting speaker1 but upon those occasions he spoke with great force and effect4 ,the fire of his eye1 the animation of his countenance and the elegance of his manner1 combined with dignity1 cannot be appreciated by any one who did not hear him4 ,no report of his speeches1 no description of his manner and appearance1 can convey to others a just and adequate idea4 ,to report him verbatim was impossible4 ,his ideas flowed so rapidly1 and he had such fluency of language1 that no reporter could have kept pace with his delivery4 ,he was an admirable parliamentary leader4 ,he never exposed himself by any incautious speech or act1 and never failed to detect and expose one on the other side4 ,he was sincere and earnest in his opinions1 uncompromising1 frank and fearless in the expression of them4 ,he never attempted to make a display of himself1 or indulged in useless declamation2 but spoke earnestly and for the purpose of producing an immediate effect4 ,i heard that when he was in ,england in #ahbc 7,i think that was the year71 the ministry had under consideration introducing him through one of their boroughs into ,parliament4 ,if it had been done1 ,i have no doubt he would have become a distinguished member of the ,house of ,commons1 and ,i think it probable that he would have attained to the highest honours of the land4 ,during two years ,i had the honour to be ,speaker of the ,house of ,assembly1 while he was ,speaker of the ,legislative ,council2 our official stations rendered it necessary for us to confer together concerning the business before ,parliament4 ,he was always courteous1 communicative and obliging4 ,the difference between us on political questions while ,i was in ,parliament precluded intimate or confidential relations1 but he was always pleasant and candid1 and more than once did ,i share in that elegant hospitality which was dispensed so cordially and so gracefully by him and ,lady ,robinson4 ,i have had the honor to receive friendly letters from him occasionally since ,i have been here1 and after my great affliction last spring he wrote to me two very kind letters for which ,i shall ever be grateful4 ,i should be sincerely glad to evince my respect for his memory4 ,i have not space left to add anything respecting his judicial character and career1 but this is unimportant4 ,every one in ,canada knows it4 ,writing to me after the ,conference at ,london1 in ,june1 #ahgc1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,the proceedings of the ,conference were very harmonious1 and the discussions very able and courteous upon the whole4 ,i received many thanks for my labours in connection with the scheme for ,methodist ,confederation and for union with the ,new ,connexion ,methodists4 ,i trust ,i have been able1 through ,divine goodness1 to render some service to the good cause4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in a letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson from ,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon1 dated #bnd ,december1 the latter expressed some fears as to one or two points in the future of the ,general ,conference arrangement4 ,he says3-- ,i am looking with some solicitude to the result of the ,appeal to the ,quarterly ,meetings on the ,union question4 ,i hope it will be carried1 though your modifications of the scheme do not quite meet my approval1 as one who would like to see a statesman's view taken of things4 ,i do not see the bond of cohesion twenty years hence1 when those who are now personally known to1 and therefore interested in1 each other1 have passed off the stage4 ,then the ,general ,conference will meet as perfect strangers1 having hardly a common interest but that of a common name2 and as there are no ,general ,superintendents1 who know all the ,conferences1 there will not be1 as in the ,states1 any link to bind them together4 ,i trust some remedy will be found for this1 or the lack of such link will be disastrous4 ,we are losing our prominent men4 ,you will have seen that ,mr4 ,heald has passed away--also ,mr4 ,marshall1 another ,stockport pillar4 ,i am greatly concerned about my dear friend1 ,gervase ,smith1 the ,secretary of the ,conference4 ,he has overtaxed himself1 and is very ill4 ,absolute rest is enjoined for some time4 ,it would be a sad day for me1 if dear ,gervase were to pass from my side4 ,we have just heard of the loss of the ,ville du ,havre1 with #bbf lives4 ,emile ,cook1 from ,paris1 was on board1 and injured by the collision4 ,how terrible6 ,now1 my dear ,dr4 ,ryerson1 the good ,lord be with you1 and make you always as happy in ,his love as you desire to be1 and spare you yet for many years1 to counsel and to plan for ,his glory and the benefit of ,canada4 ,writing from his ,long ,point ,cottage to me on the #abth of ,april1 #ahgc1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,some days ,i have felt quite young2 but upon the whole1 ,i doubt whether the means which have been so successful in the past in renewing my strength1 can be of much use any longer to stave off old age4 ,a medical gentleman here from ,port ,rowan said yesterday1 ,i looked the perfection of health at my age2 but my strength ,i feel already to be labour and sorrow4 ,so true are the words of inspiration to practical life4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the union question having been carried1 and the ,general ,conference established1 that body met in ,toronto in ,september1 #ahgd4 ,speaking of it ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,in #ahgd ,i was elected the first ,president of the first ,general ,conference of the ,methodist ,church of ,canada2 consisting of an equal number of ministers and laymen1 and representing the several ,annual ,conferences of the ,dominion of ,canada4 ,on his return home from the ,general ,conference held in ,toronto in #ahgd1 ,hon4 ,l4 ,a4 ,wilmot1 a former ,judge1 and late ,lieutenant-,governor of ,new ,brunswick1 wrote to ,dr4 ,ryerson a note1 in which he said3--,how can we ever repay you and your dear family for the warm-hearted hospitality and the intellectual repast we so much enjoyed while with you8 ,to me it is much more than a sunny memory1 as you have so enriched me with treasures of thought1 and words of wisdom4 ,really1 ,i long to see you again1 and ,i cannot express to you the pleasure it will afford us to welcome you all to our suburban home4 ,we have room enough for you all1 and sincerely do we pray that we may all be spared to meet again4 ,mr4 ,wilmot has since then gone home to his reward4 ,,chapter ,,lxiv4 #ahge-ahgf4 ,correspondence with ,rev4 ,j4 ,ryerson1 ,dr4 ,punshon1 etc4 ,dr4 ,ryerson went up to ,simcoe to preach the anniversary sermons there1 in ,december1 #ahgd1 and hoped to have gone to ,brantford to see his brother ,john1 but was prevented4 ,he therefore wrote to him a ,new ,year's letter1 on the #crd ,january1 #ahge3 ,i have often prayed for you1 thinking sometimes that ,i was even praying with you4 ,we have spoken of you more than once during the recent holiday salutations and good wishes1 and have wished you happy returns of this season of kindly greetings and renewed friendships4 ,i feel to bless ,god that during the last several weeks ,i have experienced1 in a deeper and brighter degree than ,i ever experienced before1 the love of ,christ which passeth all knowledge4 ,the pages of ,god's book seem to shine with a brighter lustre and a more luminous1 comprehensive and penetrating power than ,i ever beheld in them4 ,without care1 without fear1 without a shadow of doubt1 ,i can now1 through ,god's wonderful grace1 and by ,his ,holy ,spirit1 rest my all upon ,christ--lay my all upon ,his altar1 and say1 ,for me to live is ,christ1 and to die is gain4 ,on ,sunday afternoon we had the renewal of the ,covenant ,service1 in the ,metropolitan1 and the ,communion4 ,it was a good time4 ,i think there were more than five hundred at the ,communion--the largest number ,i ever witnessed in ,america1 even at a camp-meeting4 ,it took ,rev4 ,dr4 ,potts and ,i more than an hour to distribute the elements4 ,i am anxious to go up to my cottage for change and retirement1 so as to be quite alone for a few weeks with my books and papers4 ,i am at work1 as hard as ,i can1 upon my history4 ,on ,new ,year's ,day ,i worked at it for fifteen hours--writing upwards of twenty pages of foolscap1 besides researches1 comparing authorities1 etc4 ,i am anxious to complete the two volumes of the ,new ,england ,loyalists1 before ,i go to ,england in ,may4 ,in reply to ,dr4 ,ryerson's letter of #crd ,january1 his brother ,john wrote3-- ,my health is still precarious4444 ,my attention to religious duties 7reading the ,scriptures1 private and meditative self-examination1 etc417 ,i unremittingly persevere in1 but my religious enjoyment is low and my faith weak4444 ,this winter ,i have read the ,life of ,dr4 ,bradshaw1 an eminent clergyman of the ,church of ,england1 some time ,rector of ,colchester1 then of ,birmingham1 and then of a ,rectory in the suburbs of ,london1 where he died in #ahfe1 at the age of eighty-nine4 ,his ministry extended over more than sixty years4 ,he was one of the most devoted1 and singularly pious ministers whose memoirs ,i ever read4 ,o6 into what dwarfishness the morality1 and the spiritual and elevated attainments of most ,christians sink in the presence of such men6 ,dr4 ,bradshaw's life was written by ,miss ,marsh1 the authoress of the ,life of ,captain ,vicars1 and other excellent books4 ,i have also read the ,life of ,miss ,m4 ,graham1 a most eminently pious and devoted lady1 also a member of the ,church of ,england4 ,she died at the early age of twenty-eight4 ,another memoir--of ,mrs4 ,winslow1 from the reading of which ,i ought to have derived much profit1 one of the holiest women of whom ,i ever read1 was a devoted member of the ,english ,church4 ,she was the daughter of a wealthy ,west ,india planter1 and born in the ,west ,indies4 ,her father died when she was quite young4 ,she was married to a ,captain in the ,british army1 in one of the regiments stationed in the ,island of ,jamaica1 but singular to say1 not long after her marriage1 was wonderfully converted1 and towards the close of his life1 was the means of saving her affectionate and devoted husband1 who was a nephew of the once ,governor of the ,colony of ,massachusetts4 ,he was very wealthy1 besides his ,west ,india estate--owning a large estate in ,england4 ,the wonderful piety of this devoted saint1 during the long years of her widowhood1 ought to humble pigmy ,christians1 like me1 in the dust4 ,oh1 can ,i ever be saved1 if such men and women are only saved8 ,i am now reading the life and labours of ,rev4 ,dr4 ,shrewsbury1 a ,wesleyan missionary to the ,west ,indies and ,south ,africa--then late in life back to ,england1 where he died in #ahff1 aged seventy-three years4 ,he was a man of ability1 much industry and zeal1 and of more than the medium piety of ,methodist preachers generally4 ,in reply to this letter1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to his brother on the #bast of ,february and said3-- ,you speak of the want of joy in your religious experience4 ,i do not pray for joy1 ,i simply pray for the indwelling of ,christ1 for the stamp of ,his image upon my soul1 and for the harmony of every desire1 and thought1 and feeling1 with ,his holy will1 and divine glory2 and there comes a peace that passeth all understanding1 a rest of the soul from fear1 and anxiety--a sinking into ,god1--and now and then greater or less ecstacies of joy4 ,i think we mistake when we make what is usually termed joy1 the end of prayer1 or of desire4 ,i believe that even heaviness1 and especially when superinduced by bodily disease1 is not only consistent with a high state of grace1 but even instrumental in its increase--especially of faith2 the faith which realizes things invisible1 as visible1 and things to come1 as things present4 ,i should like to read the biographies of which you speak1 especially that of ,rev4 ,dr4 ,marsh1 but my time is insufficient to read what ,i have to read for my historical purposes4 ,after all1 biographies are very much what the biographers choose to make of their heroes4 ,the writings of the ,holy ,apostles are the simple and true standard of ,christian experience1 practice and privilege1 and help us also from sinking into despondency by the illustrations they give of human imperfections and infirmities1 and directing us so plainly to the source of all strength and supply1 as well as to the ,god of all consolation4 ,we will talk more of these things when ,i see you4 ,rev4 ,john ,ryerson1 in his letter of ,february #bdth1 said3-- ,i never pray for joy in religion2 to pray or seek for such a thing would be to begin at the wrong end2 but truly pious persons might have joy as the fruit of a real experience1 as growing out of a life hid with ,christ in ,god1 joy in believing1 joy in the ,holy ,ghost--but what ,i do offer my poor prayers for1 is to know my sins forgiven1 my acceptance with ,god2 that ,i have a lot among the sanctified1 that ,i have peace with ,god1 through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,if ,i had an abiding evidence of such an experience1 it would produce more or less joy4 ,surely the ,bible is the best book2 it is ,the ,book2 but still he may find many blessed illustrations of its truths1 of its morality1 its spirituality1 in the experience and lives1 not only of saints of ancient days1 but many of modern times4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,marsh was one of these4 ,he was a man of great learning1 and extensive reading1 but he loved the ,bible infinitely1 and above all books1 read it 7,i was going to say7 almost continually1 and died with the ,new ,testament in his hand4 ,i try to read ,god's blessed ,word4 ,i am reading the ,bible through by course--five or ten chapters every day in the ,old ,testament1 and two or so in the ,new1 besides on my knees1 ,i read all the ,psalms through every month4 ,but what does this amount to8 ,nothing1 so long as ,i am not saved from pride1 irritability1 selfishness1 etc41 within2 the workings of which1 more or less1 ,i daily feel4 ,this greatly troubles and distresses me2 besides the remembrance of my sins of unfaithfulness1 wanderings1 backslidings1 is grievous to me1 and sometimes a burthen too heavy to be borne4 ,the temptations1 trials1 sorrows1 of true saints sometimes shed a little light upon my dulness1 and give some strength to my weak and wavering faith4 ,on the #bhth of ,february1 ,dr4 ,ryerson replied3-- ,i thank you for your kind and interesting letter4 ,i did not suppose you had made joy an object or subject of prayer2 but from the tone of your letter1 it appeared to me that the absence of joy1 or heaviness of spirit1 had led you to judge of your state too unfavourably4 ,i quite agree with the views you express on the subject4 ,i have not seen ,rev4 ,dr4 ,marsh's life3 but ,i can conceive him quite worthy of what is written1 and of the opinion you express respecting him4 ,during my attendance at the ,wesleyan ,conference in ,birmingham1 in #ahcf1 my host invited ,rev4 ,dr4 7then ,mr47 ,marsh1 ,rev4 ,john ,angell ,james1 and several other clergymen and persons of note1 to meet me4 ,i was very much struck with ,mr4 ,marsh's appearance1 and the more so from a circumstance mentioned to me by the hostess4 ,a short time before that1 a publisher there wished to get a portrait of the ,apostle ,st4 ,john1 to have it engraved as an illustration in some book or publication he was issuing2 and ,mr4 ,marsh was solicited to sit for the artist1 as his countenance was supposed to reflect more strongly the purity and loveliness of the ,apostle than any ideal that could be found4 ,in consequence of this circumstance1 ,i was told that ,mr4 ,marsh was often called ,st4 ,john the ,apostle1 from his ,apostolic character and truly lovely manner and countenance4 ,his praise was then in every mouth1 as ,i was told1 among the ,dissenters as well as members of the ,church of ,england4 7,see page #afc47 ,after ,dr4 ,ryerson became ,president of the ,general ,conference in #ahgd1 he was gratified at the many kind things said to him by his brethren and other friends4 ,none were more kind and loving than those contained in a letter from his friend1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon1 who speaks of his own elevation to the ,presidency of the ,british ,conference4 ,dr4 ,punshon1 in his letter to ,dr4 ,ryerson of the #aith of ,february1 said3-- ,first of all1 let me congratulate you most heartily upon your well-merited elevation to the ,presidency of the ,general ,conference4 ,they did themselves honour1 and you will do them honour in their choice4 ,my elevation here was unexpected1 but very grateful1 although the responsibility and work which it entails make me long for ,july1 when1 if ,god wills1 ,i shall doff my regalia4 ,i hope most earnestly to have the pleasure of seeing the ,canadian representatives at the next ,conference in ,sheffield4 ,i have already spoken for a very sweet home for you4 ,it will be a great gratification to see you once again1 and to enjoy sweet converse1 with you as of old4 ,mr4 ,gervase ,smith and ,i are to be with relatives just across the road4 ,so please do not delay your coming for another year1 as no one knows to what place the ,conference will be carried4 ,it seems almost improper to talk about it when we remember the heavy loss into which1 as into an inheritance1 we have all come by the death of dear ,wiseman4 ,you would1 ,i am sure1 be very grieved to hear of it4 ,it fell on all here like a thunder-clap4 ,but the ,lord is good1 and knows what is best for us all4 ,there is a sorrowfully-occasioned vacancy at the ,mission ,house1 which the friends say ,i must fill1 but ,i cannot tell how it will go1 and of course1 all is premature as yet4 ,the ,lord will direct us as ,he has always done4 ,by the way1 ,i have been set seriously thinking by ,mr4 ,wiseman's removal1 whether ,i had sufficiently secured1 by the document ,i gave to ,rev4 ,dr4 ,rice1 that the principal of the ,testimonial ,fund1 given to me on leaving ,canada1 should1 at my death1 pass to the ,canadian ,conference for the benefit of the worn-out ministers and widows4 ,i found on enquiry that it was not so secured as to be beyond doubt4 ,i have been in consultation with my solicitor as to the best method of effecting this4 ,i have therefore given directions for a deed of trust to be prepared1 which will state that ,i hold this money in trust for the ,superannuated ,minister's ,fund of the ,methodist ,church of ,canada4 ,i advise you of this as the honoured ,president of the ,general ,conference4 ,i was1 on the whole1 satisfied with the proceedings of the ,general ,conference4 ,i felt a little pang at the hasty change of name4 ,it was inevitable to do it1 at the same time1 but it showed rather a leaping desire of freedom1 and a wish to get as far as possible from the old mother at once1 which might have1 perhaps1 been spared4 ,this was not1 ,i dare say1 present to all who desired the change4 ,i admit all the force of your able reasoning for the present--but twenty years hence the ,general ,conference will meet as strangers1 with no community of interest1 and ,i dread the result1 without a visible bond of cohesion4 ,writing to me from ,port ,rowan in ,september1 #ahge1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,my friends here think that ,i am stronger1 walk better1 and appear more active than when ,i was last in this village4 ,this is a common remark to me1 and for which ,i cannot feel sufficiently thankful to my ,heavenly ,father4 ,he is my portion2 my all is ,his2 and ,i feel that ,he is all and in all to me--my joy as well as my strength4 ,writing from his ,long ,point cottage to me on the #acth ,april1 #ahgf1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,next ,sunday will be ,easter ,sunday--the #east anniversary of my ministerial life1 and what a life6 ,much to lament over2 much to humble2 with many exposures and hardships2 full of various labours2 abounding in heavenly blessings4 99 99 99 99 99 ,dr4 ,ryerson was appointed as a representative of the ,conferences of ,british ,america to the ,general ,conference of the ,united ,states in #ahgf4 ,being unable to go1 he addressed a letter to ,bishop ,simpson1 from which ,i take these extracts3-- ,i regret that ,i have been unable to fulfil my last public mission in behalf of our ,canadian ,church to the ,conference of ,british ,methodism to go to ,baltimore to look upon your ,general ,conference1 and bid a last earthly farewell to brethren whom ,i esteem and love so much--with whom ,i was first brought into church membership1 by whose ,bishop ,hedding ,i was ordained both deacon and elder1 and with whom ,i feel myself as much one this day as ,i did half a century ago4 ,my first representative mission was in #ahbh1 to visit and urge upon the late ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wilbur ,fisk1 of ,wilbraham1 ,conn41 the request of our ,conference to become our first bishop2 and had he consented1 or ,dr4 ,bangs afterwards1 ,i believe it would have been a great blessing to ,methodism in ,canada2 but an overruling ,providence ordered it otherwise1 and the extension of the work of ,god1 through our ministry and ,church1 down to the present time1 is one of the greatest marvels to ourselves and to others4 ,for thirty-one years and upwards1 by the annual permission of my ,conference1 ,i have administered the governmental system of public instruction in this country2 but the ,government and ,legislature have at length acceded to my request to retire1 and have done so without reducing my official allowance2 and now1 in the seventy-fourth year of my age1 and fifty-second of my ministry1 ,i am enabled1 in the enjoyment of good health1 to go in and out1 as aforetime1 among my brethren1 with a brightening hope and increasing desire of soon being permitted to depart and be with ,christ1 which is far better1 and where ,i feel sure of joyously meeting thousands of fellow-ministers and labourers whom ,i have known in the flesh on both sides of the ,atlantic4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in ,may1 #ahgf1 ,dr4 ,ryerson went to ,england to consult works on the history of ,america in the ,british ,museum ,library4 ,writing to me from near ,leeds1 just after his arrival1 he says3--,i was most cordially received by ,rev4 ,gervase ,smith1 and ,dr4 ,punshon4 ,the latter insisted upon my being his guest first1 as he had the strongest claim upon me4 ,i was his guest for eight days--and they were very agreeable days to me4 ,when ,i came here ,i was enthusiastically received by the ,methodist ,new ,connexion ,conference--a most cultured1 gentlemanly1 and respectable body of men--their whole body being not numerous1 but select4 ,i have thus far enjoyed my visit to this country most thoroughly--free from care1 and surrounded by most kind friends and agreeable associations4 ,writing to me from ,london1 on the #agth ,july1 he says3--,i experienced a great pleasure in my visit to ,ireland1 in becoming personally acquainted with many of the ,irish preachers1 and in witnessing their conferential proceedings4 ,they are a faithful1 hard-working body of men2 they have hard work to do1 and their success the last year has been in advance of that of preceding years4 ,i have seen ,mr4 ,longman in regard to publishing my history4 ,he was very cordial and complimentary4 ,i explained to him in brief the origin and scope of what ,i had written1 and of what ,i intended to write1 and gave him the table of contents of the first fifteen chapters--to the end of the reign of ,elizabeth1 and the #acth chapter on the ,protestantism of ,queen ,elizabeth1 as published in the ,canadian ,methodist ,magazine4 ,i was at the ,houses of ,lords and ,commons a part of one afternoon and evening4 ,sir ,stafford ,northcote1 hearing that ,i was there1 came to me under the ,speaker's gallery1 and conversed with me nearly half an hour4 ,other members also spoke to me4 ,earl ,grey recognized me in the street1 and stopped and conversed with me4 ,i go to the ,wesleyan ,conference at ,nottingham next ,monday1 and may probably remain there ten days4 ,i attended four services yesterday--at #h a4m4 7communion71 at the parish ,church of ,st4 ,james1 near ,piccadilly1 where ,i was lodging2 at the ,temple at #aa a4m41 a grand service1 delightful music1 and an excellent sermon from ,rev4 ,c4 ,j4 ,vaughan1 ,master of the ,temple2 at #c p4m4 at ,westminster ,abbey--prayers read by the ,dean of ,lichfield1 and sermon by the ,dean of ,richmond on the words1 ,where your treasure is1 there will your heart be also1--a plain1 practical sermon1 but the music1 etc41 inferior to that of the ,temple4 ,in the evening ,i went to one of the most fashionable and advanced ,ritualistic ,churches2 poor singing1 poorer preaching4 ,everything pretentious1 and certainly not attractive to me4 ,in all three churches1 the hymns and tunes were old ,methodist hymns and tunes1 and well sung4 ,dr4 ,ryerson did go to the ,british ,conference as ,president and ,representative of the ,general ,conference of ,canada4 ,the ,london ,methodist ,recorder1 speaking of his presence there1 said3--,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon1 the ,president1 gave a brief and discriminating introduction to ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,the ,doctor's personal appearance is very prepossessing2 he is grey-haired2 of a fine1 healthy complexion2 has a gentle eye2 and a full1 emotional voice4 ,he dresses in the style of the fine old ,english gentleman1 with a refreshing display of linen clean and white4 ,one scarcely knows which most to admire--the simplicity of the man1 his well-furnished intellect1 or his practical good sense2 which most to wonder at1 the real progress which has been made in this one lifetime1 or the boundless possibilities of the future to which that progress leads4 ,it is something to have rocked the cradle of an empire-,church4 ,the audience was several times deeply moved by the ,doctor's allusions to the memories of the past1 but most of all when1 in the conclusion of his address1 he said farewell1 with a tearful expression of his own rejoicing in the hope of eternal life4 ,rev4 ,d4 ,savage1 who was also ,representative of the ,general ,conference1 in a private note1 said3--,it is a grand ,conference1 distinguished by remarkable manifestations of ,divine power4 ,the reports which will come to you through the press cannot do justice to the influence that is abroad4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's address was eloquent and impressive4 ,the fact that ,dr4 ,ryerson was representative to the ,british ,conference in #ahcc1 and that after the lapse of forty-three years1 he has returned in the same capacity1 is in itself a most extraordinary event4 ,the words in which ,dr4 ,punshon introduced ,dr4 ,ryerson were eloquent and kindly4 ,the following letters were addressed to me by ,dr4 ,ryerson while in ,london1 at the dates mentioned3-- ,september #aith4--,my lodgings are just opposite the ,british ,museum1 the library of which ,i find of great use to me4 ,i am absorbed in revising and completing my work4 ,whether it will be a success or not1 is one of the uncertainties of the future4 ,i am glad to be here1 instead of being in ,toronto1 during the ensuing session of our ,legislature1 as ,i do not wish to be where any party can call upon me1 or use my name in respect to any measure that the ,government may think proper to bring forward on the subject of education4 ,november #adth4--,the ,earl of ,dufferin enclosed flattering letters of introduction to the ,earl of ,carnarvon and the ,dean of ,westminster1 both of whom have received me with great cordiality4 ,the ,earl of ,carnarvon shook hands with me two or three times1 and said how glad he was to see and shake hands with an old ,canadian1 whose services to his country were spoken of as ,lord ,dufferin has spoken of mine4 ,his ,lordship told me he would give instructions1 whenever ,i desired1 to have every possible facility and aid given me in the ,record ,office in referring to any documents or papers there1 relating to the history or affairs of the ,british ,colonies4 ,i submitted to the ,dean of ,westminster the last 7#adth71 recapitulating summary chapter on the ,relations of ,early ,english ,puritanism to ,protestant ,unity and ,religious ,liberty1 for his judgment4 ,i last evening received a kind note from him 7returning the manuscript71 in which he says3 ,i have gone through the summary of the reign of ,elizabeth1 and find it full of just views1 rendered the more attractive by the impartiality of judgment1 and by the exact knowledge of the subject which pervades the chapter4 ,the ,dean kindly suggests the use of some neutral word1 such as ,roman ,catholics for ,papists1 and not to use the words ,ritualists1 ,ritualism1 as all these words are terms of reproach1 and the use of them may lay me open to the charge of partizanship4 ,i shall adopt his suggestions4 ,december #gth4--,with your letter ,i received day before yesterday a long letter from my brother ,john--a real news letter with some sparklings of wit4 ,he mentions that during each of two preceding ,sabbaths he had attended a quarterly meeting on neighbouring circuits1 and on each day he had conducted a love-feast1 preached at half-past ten in the morning1 administered the ,lord's ,supper 7one to-day to #aej alone7 and preached again at half-past six in the evening1 riding several miles in the afternoon between each appointment1 which1 ,i think1 as he says1 is pretty well for an old man in his seventy-seventh year4 ,i am wonderfully well--having no pain of back1 or limb1 or head4 ,i am careful of my living and exercise2 but during the last three years ,i have worked fifteen hours each day4 ,i have every possible facility of books1 retirement1 and an amanuensis2 and am doing what ,i would have to do under less favourable circumstances on my return to ,canada4 ,it is singular that your ,history and other books are almost the only ones which have been furnished to the ,british ,museum1 and are found on its catalogue4 ,i have read every word of your essay on a ,central ,university and think it admirable1 exhibiting much research1 acute observation1 and profound thought4 ,december #adth4--,my present purpose is to finish and publish my purely ,canadian ,history of the ,united ,empire ,loyalists as soon as possible1 and leave the other to my executors--yourself and others--to do as you please4 ,i am assured that my two volumes on the ,puritans in ,old and ,new ,england will raise a storm on both sides of the ,atlantic4 ,i wish to have nothing more to do with controversy1 and ,i do not wish to die in a storm4 ,i am now popular with all parties4 ,i am sure ,i am right and just on the character and relation of the ,puritans and their opponents2 but ,i am strongly inclined to believe what ,i have written in regard to them 7for ,i am done with them7 will perhaps take better if left as a legacy1 than if now put forth by myself4 ,my reputation1 and the pleasure to my country1 will chiefly depend upon my ,united ,empire ,canadian ,history1 and to that my all of strength and time is now directed until ,i finish it4 ,december #bfth4--,i heard ,dean ,stanley preach in ,westminster ,abbey1 on ,christmas ,day4 ,his sermon was able and eloquent1 but disappointed me by the absence of all mention of the guilt and depravity of man1 and the good tidings1 including an atonement for the pardon of guilt1 and the power of the ,holy ,spirit to regenerate and sanctify4 ,he is a very amiable man1 and looks at the good side of everything4 ,he enumerated ten blessings brought to man by the ,incarnation of ,christ1 as distinguished from all the advantages of science and philosophy2 but ,i felt1 if ,i had not received through ,christ the two blessings he omitted to mention1 ,i should never have received the blessings1 to which ,i owe my all1 of renewal1 pardon1 strength and comfort and hope1 in the religion of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the award to the ,ontario ,educational ,collection at the ,centennial ,exhibition1 at ,philadelphia1 was made during ,dr4 ,ryerson's absence in ,england4 ,being a government exhibit1 no medal could be awarded for it4 ,a diploma was1 however1 granted by the ,centennial ,commission1 which was declared to be-- ,for a quite complete and admirably arranged ,exhibition1 illustrating the ,ontario system of ,education and its excellent results2 also for the efficiency of an administration which has gained for the ,ontario ,department a most honourable distinction among ,government ,educational agencies4 ,such was the gratifying tribute which a number of eminent ,american educationists paid to the ,ontario system of ,education1 and through it to its distinguished founder1 in estimating the results of his labours as illustrated at the ,centennial ,exhibition4 ,having communicated this to ,dr4 ,ryerson1 in ,england1 he replied3--,i cannot sufficiently express my gratitude with you to our ,heavenly ,father1 for ,his abounding care and goodness in connection with the ,education ,department1 in prospering us in our past work1 and in sustaining us during all these years against attacks and adversaries on all sides4 ,it is a singular and gratifying fact1 that the ,centennial ,exhibition at ,philadelphia should afford us1 at this juncture 7the year of my retiring from office71 the best of all possible opportunities1 to exhibit the fruits 7at least in miniature7 of our past policy and labours4 ,to you1 with myself1 equally belongs the credit1 as ,i am sure the pleasure and gratitude1 of these signal displays of the ,divine goodness to us4 ,during his stay in ,england ,dr4 ,ryerson received a note from ,rev4 ,dr4 ,jobson1 dated ,january #beth1 #ahgg1 in which he said3-- ,it will afford me lasting pleasure to think that ,i have said or done anything towards augmenting your enjoyment on what you have been pleased to term your 'last visit to ,england4' ,i remember with pleasure your former visits1 and our associations together with ,princes in our ,israel who have passed to the better country--even a heavenly4 ,and1 for more than a quarter of a century1 ,i have traced your course as an acknowledged leader and counsellor for ,methodism in ,canada4 ,the result of this has been to produce within me deep reverential esteem and affection towards you1 which have been only slightly expressed by such attention and acts that you are pleased to acknowledge4 ,my best wishes will accompany you on your return to ,canada2 and ,i am sure that ,i express the feeling of all my ministerial friends when ,i say that your appearance among us at our late ,conference in ,nottingham heightened its interests with us and that your utterances in it render it joyously memorable to us4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,chapter ,,lxv4 #ahgg-ahhb4 ,closing ,years of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,life-,labours4 ,after ,dr4 ,ryerson's return from ,england1 he devoted some time to the final revision of his principal work1 in two volumes3 ,the ,united ,empire ,loyalists of ,america1 and to two additional volumes on the ,puritans of ,old and ,new ,england4 ,these works cost him a good deal of arduous labour1 but their preparation was in many respects a source of pleasure to him1 and of agreeable occupation4 ,after their completion1 he lived in quiet retirement at his residence1 ,no4 #aga ,victoria-street1 ,toronto4 ,his pen was soon again employed in writing a series of essays on ,canadian ,methodism for the ,canadian ,methodist ,magazine1 which were afterwards re-published in book form4 ,immediately after his return from ,england1 his brother ,john addressed him the following letter on the #bcrd ,march1 #ahgg3-- ,i heartily congratulate you on your safe arrival in your native land1 and also that in health and strength you are spared to see your seventy-fourth birthday4 ,as age advances time seems to fly more and more rapidly2 and however it may be with others1 certainly we are to the margin come1 and how important it is that we live in readiness1 and in continual preparation for our departure4 ,illustration3 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,private ,residence and ,study 7in the rear building71 #aga ,victoria ,st41 ,toronto4 ,on the #gth ,may1 #ahgg1 ,dr4 ,ryerson received a letter from his brother ,john urging him to commence a proposed series of essays on ,canadian ,methodism4 ,he says3-- ,i am glad that you think of writing a review of ,church matters1 and that there are so many leading ministers who think you ought to do so4 ,the more ,i think and pray about the matter1 the more ,i am satisfied that is a path of duty opened up to you1 the pursuit of which will be a great blessing to the ,church and the country in coming time4 ,the matters referred to and somewhat explained and exhibited1 with other things which doubtless will occur to you1 might be3--#a4 ,missionary ,society2 #b4 ,ryanism2 #c4 ,canadian ,conference formed2 #d4 ,clergy reserve land matter2 #e4 ,christian ,guardian commenced2 #f4 ,church ,land and ,marriage ,bill2 #g4 ,victoria ,college2 #h4 ,book-,room2 #i4 ,centenary celebration and fund2 #aj4 ,union with the ,british ,conference2 #aa4 ,hudson ,bay mission2 #ab4 ,disruption with ,british ,conference2 #ac4 ,re-union2 #ad4 ,superannuated ministers2 ,contingents2 ,chapel ,relief1 and ,childrens' ,funds2 #ae4 ,remarkable camp-meetings--,beaver ,dams1 some one hundred and fifty professed conversion2 seventy or eighty joined the ,church4 ,ancaster ,circuit3 ,peter ,jones converted4 ,yongestreet ,circuit3 ,mrs4 ,taylor converted under a sermon preached by ,wm4 ,hay4 ,bay ,circuit3 ,peter ,jacobs1 and many other ,indians saved4 ,hamilton1 back of ,cobourg1 held in time of ,conference--,bishop ,george presiding2 when and where the ,rice and ,mud ,lake bands were all converted2 a nation born in a day6 #af4 ,the first protracted meeting2 held at the twenty-mile camp1 by ,storey and ,e4 ,evans1 and ,ryerson1 ,p4 ,e4--no previous arrangement1 between two hundred and three hundred professed religion1 the wonderful work spreading through most of the ,niagara district4 ,in a letter to me dated ,guelph1 #ith ,june1 #ahgg1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,i came here yesterday forenoon1 and was most respectfully and cordially received by the ,conference4 ,in the course of the day1 ,rev4 ,j4 ,a4 ,williams1 seconded by ,rev4 ,e4 ,b4 ,ryckman1 moved that ,i be requested to prepare a history of the principal epochs of our ,church1 etc4 ,the resolution1 with many kind and complimentary remarks1 was unanimously passed by a standing vote4 ,i assented1 and am now committed to the work1 and will lose no time in commencing--dividing my time between it and my history1 which ,i hope to complete in a few months4 ,i hope before the next ,general ,conference to complete what this ,conference has requested1 and what1 from what ,i hear1 will be repeated by other ,conferences4 ,as ,i am endeavouring to do some justice to the founders of our country and its institutions1 ,i hope to do the same for the ,fathers of our ,church and its institutions4 ,i spoke last night at the reception of young men1 and my remarks were very favourably received4 ,in a letter to me from ,whitby1 dated #bgth ,june1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,to-day ,i had the great pleasure of laying the foundation stone of an important addition to the ,methodist ,ladies' ,college at ,whitby4 ,mr4 ,holden kindly intimated that the trustees had decided to name the new structure ,ryerson ,hall4 ,my remarks were few1 and related chiefly to the importance of female education4 ,i referred to the great attention which was now given to the education of women1 on both sides of the ,atlantic4 ,there were different theories1 ,i said1 as to how it should be done1 but all were agreed that women should be educated4 ,even the ,english ,universities were helping in the work4 ,i did not believe1 ,i said1 in ,colleges for both ladies and gentlemen4 ,they should be separate4 ,it was of vital necessity that the mothers of our land should be educated4 ,woman made the home1 and home made the man4 ,if the daughters were educated1 the sons would not remain ignorant4 ,both patriotism and piety should make people encourage these institutions1 which would be the pride of future generations4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the #cjth ,july ,dr4 ,ryerson received an affecting letter from his brother ,john1 enclosing to him the manuscript of his ,reminiscences of ,methodism1 during his long and active life4 ,in regard to them1 he said3-- ,what ,i have written is entirely from memory4 ,in speaking about many things ,i had to do with1 of course ,i had to speak a good deal about myself1 but ,i was writing for the public1 not for you2 and if any of the facts ,i have referred to will be of any use to you in your ,essays1 ,i shall be glad4 ,that use1 however1 can be made without mentioning my name1 which ,i have dreaded to see in print anywhere4 ,by prayer1 reading1 reflection1 and ,god's grace helping a poor worm1 ,i have so far overcome the natural pride of my evil nature1 as to be content1 and sometimes happy1 in my position of nothingness4 ,my circumstances give strength to these feelings of contentment4 ,my age and growing weakness show me that ,i am come very near the margin of my poor life1 and unfavourable symptoms1 from time to time1 strongly remind me that1 with me at least1 in the midst of life1 we are in death4 ,i do not1 however1 deprecate1 nor pray deliverance from1 sudden death4 ,my prayer is that of ,charles ,wesley's3-- ,in age and feebleness extreme1 ,who can a sinful worm redeem8 ,jesus1 my only help ,thou art1 ,strength of my failing1 flesh and heart2 ,oh ,i might ,i catch one smile from ,thee ,and drop into eternity4 ,several years ago ,i read a poem1 or part of one1 written in old age by the celebrated ,english poetess1 ,mrs4 ,barbauld1 whose sweet words ,i very frequently repeat4 ,she says3-- ,life1 we have been long together1 ,through pleasant and through cloudy weather1 ',tis hard to part when friends are dear1 ,perhaps 'twill cost a sigh1 or tear4 ,then steal away1 give little warning1 ,choose thine own time2 ,say not 'good night1' but in some happier clime1 ,bid me 'good morning4' ,these words were almost prophetic1 for within three months after they were written1 ,dr4 ,ryerson left ,toronto for ,simcoe to attend at the dying bed of his beloved brother4 ,immediately after his death1 ,dr4 ,ryerson wrote to me and said3--,nothing could have been more satisfactory than the last days of my dear brother2 and it was a great comfort to him and all the family that ,i was with him for ten days before his departure4 ,his responses to prayer were very hearty4 ,he seemed to dwell in a higher region4 ,he was so nervously sensitive that he could not only not converse1 but could hardly bear being talked to4 ,on one occasion he said1 ,egerton1 don't talk to me1 but kiss me4 ,one day ,i asked him if ,i should unite with him in prayer2 he answered 7and this was the longest sentence during the ten days ,i was with him7 with some warmth1 ,egerton1 why do you ask me that8 ,you know ,i always want you to pray with me4 ,one day ,i repeated1 or began to repeat1 the fifth verse of the thirty-first ,psalm1 ,into ,thy hands ,i commit my spirit3 ,thou hast redeemed me1 ,o ,lord ,god of truth4 ,he said ,i have uttered these words many times4 ,i have not a doubt upon my mind4 ,another day he seemed to be very happy while we united in prayer1 and after responding ,amen and ,amen6 he added1 ,praise the ,lord4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as the ,general ,conference of ,september1 #ahgh1 approached1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was anxiously hoping that the ,conference would be favoured with the presence of an able counsellor and friend1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon4 ,greatly to his regret1 he received a note from ,dr4 ,punshon1 saying3-- ,you will know by this time that ,i am not coming to ,canada this year1 but that ,mr4 ,coley is appointed ,representative to your ,general ,conference4 ,among other things1 ,dr4 ,punshon said3--,you will see that our ,conference has been a solemn one4 ,a minister and a lay representative were smitten with death on the premises1 and died before they could be removed4 ,these shocks did not help my already shaken nerves to regain their tone4 ,otherwise the ,conference was a memorable success4 ,i shall have some of my heart with you in ,montreal4 ,i trust you will have a blessed ,conference1 and will be able to get some solution of the transfer question1 and some approach to a scheme for connexional superintendency on a broad1 practical basis1 thus strengthening the two weak places of your present system4 ,on the #cast ,august1 #ahgh1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wood addressed the following note to ,dr4 ,ryerson3-- ,thirty-one years ago1 when appointed by the ,british ,conference to the office of ,general ,superintendent of ,missions in the ,canada ,conference1 ,i forwarded to your address some testimonials which my brethren presented to me when giving up the chair of the ,new ,brunswick ,district4 ,i now enclose to you the resignation of my office as one of the ,general ,secretaries of the ,missionary ,society1 which you can either present personally1 or hand over to the ,president4 ,i have very pleasant recollections of the past associations1 especially in the early years of the ,union of #ahdg1 to which you gave invaluable assistance in the working out of its principles1 which have resulted in the present wonderful enlargement of the ,methodist ,church4 ,as was his custom1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon sent to ,dr4 ,ryerson a kind note at the ,new ,year of #ahgi4 ,speaking of ,methodist affairs in ,england he says3-- ,the new year has dawned gloomily enough with us in ,england4 ,i never knew such protracted commercial depression4 ,in spite of all1 however1 ,church enterprises are projected1 and we have started our ,connexional ,thanksgiving ,fund auspiciously1 both so far as spirit and money go4 ,it is proposed to raise #bjj1jjj at least1 and some are sanguine enough to think1 if times mend1 that a good deal more will be raised4 ,there never was a meeting in ,methodism like the one at ,city ,road4 ,it was an ,all-day meeting4 ,the first hour was spent in devotional exercises1 and then the contributions flowed in without pressure1 ostentation1 or shame4 ,we are beginning the ,circuit ,meetings next week4 ,our ,brixton one is fixed for ,monday evening1 but the cream of our subscriptions was announced at ,city ,road4 ,dr4 ,rigg makes a good ,president4 ,writing to a friend in ,december1 #ahhj1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3-- ,you speak of being old4 ,i feel myself to be an old man4 ,it is more labour for me to write one page now1 than it used to be to write five pages4444 ,we shall soon follow those who have gone before4 ,with you ,i am waiting and endeavouring to be prepared for the change1 and have no fear of it1 but often rejoice in the bright hopes beyond4 99 99 99 99 99 ,again1 writing to the same friend on the #ith of ,august1 #ahha1 he said3-- ,my latest attack has reduced my strength 7of which ,i had little to spare7 very much4 ,my desire is likely soon to be accomplished--to depart hence4 ,writing to another friend on the #bdth of ,july1 #ahha1 ,dr4 ,ryerson said3--,i have to-day written a letter of affectionate sympathy to ,rev4 ,dr4 ,punshon on the decease of his son ,john ,william4 ,i trust that his last days were his best days4 ,it has always been a source of thankfulness and gratification1 that ,i was able to show him some kind attentions during his last visit to ,canada4 ,i have been deeply concerned to read in this morning's newspaper that ,dr4 ,punshon himself was seriously ill4 ,i trust and pray that the ,church and nation may not yet1 nor for a long time to come1 be deprived of his eminent services4 ,i cannot tell how deeply we all sympathize with ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,punshon in this great trial4 99 99 99 99 99 ,from the last 7almost illegible7 letter written by ,dr4 ,ryerson1 two weeks before his death and dated #fth of ,february1 #ahhb1 ,i make the following extracts4 ,it was addressed to ,rev4 ,hugh ,johnston1 ,b4,d41 of ,montreal1 7now of ,toronto74 ,i am helpless myself--have lost my hearing so that ,i cannot converse without a tube4 ,i have been confined to my room for five weeks by congestion of the lungs1 from which ,i have only partially recovered4 ,i have not been out of the house since last ,september1 so that ,i can take no part in ,church affairs4 ,but ,god has been with me--my strength and comforter4 ,i am beginning to revive1 but have not yet been able to go down stairs1 or move1 only creep about with the help of a cane4 ,i do not know whether you can read the scrawl ,i have written1 but ,i cannot write any better4 ,yours most affectionately1 ,monday1 ,february #fth1 #ahhb4 ,e4 ,ryerson4 ,the concluding words of ,dr4 ,ryerson's story of his life were3-- ,in #ahgh1 ,i was elected for the third time ,representative of the ,canadian to the ,british ,conference4 ,after the fulfilment of these functions1 ,i have retired from all active participation in public affairs1 whether of ,church or ,state4 ,i have finished1 after twenty years' labour1 my ,history of the ,loyalists of ,america and their ,times4 ,i have finished the ,story of my ,life--imperfect and fragmentary as it is--leaving to another pen anything that may be thought worthy of record of my last days on earth1 as well as any essential omissions in my earlier career4 99 99 99 99 99 ,at length the end of this great ,canadian drew near2 and the shadows at the closing of life's eventide deepened and lengthened4 ,i visited him frequently1 and always found him interested in whatever subject or topic ,i might speak to him about4 ,his congenial subject1 however1 was ,god's providential goodness and overruling care throughout his whole life4 ,in his personal religious experience1 he always spoke humbly of himself and glowingly of the long-suffering tenderness of ,god's dealings towards him4 ,at no time was the character of his religious experience more practical and suggestive than when laid aside from duty4 ,meditation on the past was the subject of his thoughts4 ,to him ,god was a personal1 living ,father--a ,brother born for adversity--a ,friend that sticketh closer than a brother--a great and glorious ,being1 ever gracious1 ever merciful4 ,his trust in ,god was child-like in its simplicity1 firm and unwavering4 ,his conversation partook of it and was eminently realistic4 ,he had no more doubt of ,god's daily1 hourly1 loving care and superintending providence over him and his than he had of any material fact with which he was familiar or which was self-evident to him4 ,he entirely realized that ,god was his ever present friend4 ,there seemed to be that close1 intimate union--reverent and humble as it was on his part--of man with ,god1 and this gave a living reality to religion in his life4 ,to him the counsels1 the warnings1 the promises2 the encouragements of the ,bible1 were the voice of ,god speaking to him personally--the very words came as living words from the lips of ,god1 as a man speaketh to his friend4 ,this was the secret of his courage1 whether it was in some crisis of conflict or controversy1 or in his little frail craft when crossing the lake1 or exposed to the storm4 ,to such a man death had no terrors--the heart had no fear4 ,it was cheering and comforting to listen to him 7as ,i often did alone7 and to hear him speak of his near departure1 as of one preparing for a journey--ceasing from duty1 in order to be ready to be conveyed away1 and then resuming it when the journey was over4 ,thus he spoke of the time of his departure as at hand1 and he was ready for the messenger when ,he should call for him4 ,he spoke of it trustfully1 hopefully1 cheerfully1 neither anxious nor fearful2 and yet1 on the other hand1 neither elated nor full of joy2 but he knew in whom ,he had trusted1 and was persuaded1 and was not afraid of evil tidings either of the dark valley or the river of death4 ,he knew ,him whom he believed1 and was persuaded that ,he was able to keep that which he had committed unto ,him against that day4 ,thus the end drew near1 and with it1 as the outward man began to fail1 the feeling of unwavering trust and confidence was deepened and strengthened4 ,at length hearing failed1 and the senses one by one partially ceased to perform their functions4 ,then to him were fully realized the inspired words of ,solomon3 ,desire failed1 and the silver cord was loosed1 the golden bowl was broken1 the pitcher broken at the fountain1 and the wheel at the cistern4 ,gradually the weary wheels of life stood still1 and at seven o'clock on ,sunday morning1 ,february #aith1 #ahhb1 in the presence of his loved ones and dear friends1 gently and peacefully the spirit of ,egerton ,ryerson took its flight to be forever with the ,lord6 ,servant of ,god1 well done6 ,thy glorious warfare's past2 ,the battle's fought1 the vict'ry won1 ,and thou art crowned at last2 ,of all thy heart's desire ,triumphantly possessed2 ,lodged by the sweet angelic choir ,in thy ,redeemer's breast4 ,in condescending love1 ,thy ceaseless prayer ,he heard2 ,and bade thee suddenly remove ,to this complete reward4 ,o happy1 happy soul6 ,in ecstacies of praise1 ,long as eternal ages roll1 ,thou seest thy ,saviour's face4 ,redeemed from earth and pain1 ,ah6 when shall we ascend1 ,and all in ,jesus' presence reign ,with our translated friend8 ,,chapter ,,lxvi4 #ahhb4 ,the ,funeral ,ceremonies1 ,wednesday1 ,feb4 #bbnd1 #ahhb4 ,amid the tolling of bells1 said the ,toronto ,globe1 and the lamentations of many thousands of people1 the remains of the late ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson were conveyed to their final earthly resting-place in ,mount ,pleasant ,cemetery1 on ,wednesday1 the #bbnd ,february4 ,during the day large numbers visited the sorrowing house1 and gazed for the last time on the features of the revered dead4 ,as was to be expected1 the larger number were1 like the venerable deceased1 far into the sere and yellow leaf1 and many who had known him for a long time could scarce restrain the unbidden tear as a flood of recollections surged up at the sight of the still form cold in death4 ,no one present1 probably1 says the ,guardian1 ever saw so many ministers at a funeral4 ,among the ministers and laymen were many grey-haired veterans1 who had watched with interest the whole brilliant career of the departed4444 ,all the ,churches were well represented1 both by their ministers and prominent laymen4 ,bishop ,sweatman and most of the ministers of the ,church of ,england were present4 ,nearly all the ,presbyterian1 ,baptist1 and ,congregational ministers of the city were present2 and even ,archbishop ,lynch and ,father ,mc,cann1 of the ,roman ,catholic ,church1 showed their respect for the dead by their presence during the day4 ,devotional service at the house was conducted by ,rev4 ,r4 ,jones1 of ,cobourg1 and ,rev4 ,j4 ,g4 ,laird1 of ,collingwood4 ,the plate on the coffin bore the inscription3--,egerton ,ryerson born #bast ,march1 #ahjc3 died #aith ,february1 #ahhb4 ,the floral tributes presented by sorrowing friends were from various places in ,ontario1 and not a few came from ,detroit and other ,american cities4 ,the following may be noted3--,wreath1 with ,norfolk in the centre1 from ,mr4 ,e4 ,harris2 wreath1 with ,rest in the centre1 from ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,hodgins2 pillow1 with ,father1 from ,mrs4 ,e4 ,harris2 crown from the scholars of ,ryerson school2 pillow1 with ,grandpapa1 from the grandchildren of the deceased3 wreath from ,mr4 ,c4 ,h4 ,greene2 cross1 also scythe1 with sheaf1 from ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,george ,harris1 ,london2 crown and cross from ,rev4 ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,potts2 anchor from ,w4 ,e4 and ,f4 ,e4 ,hodgins2 sheaf from ,george ,s4 ,hodgins2 lilies and other choice flowers inside the casket from ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,hodgins4 ,shortly before three o'clock the room was left to the members of the family1 after which the coffin was borne to the hearse by the following pall-bearers1 preceded by the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,potts3--,dr4 ,hodgins1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,nelles1 ,dr4 ,aikins1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,rose1 ,rev4 ,r4 ,jones1 ,mr4 ,j4 ,paterson4 ,previous to the arrival of the hearse at the church1 ,his ,honour the ,lieutenant-,governor1 the ,speaker of the ,house1 members of the ,legislature1 which had adjourned for the occasion1 and the ,ministerial ,association1 were in the places assigned to them4 ,the members of the ,city ,council and ,board of ,education were also present in a body4 ,the pupils of ,ryerson and ,dufferin ,schools marched into the church in a body1 wearing mourning badges on their arms4 ,there were representatives of all conditions in society1 and it might be said of all ages4 ,the lisping schoolboy who was free from the restraint imposed by the presence of his master2 and the aged man and woman tottering unsteadily on the verge of the grave--all were hushed in the presence of death4 ,everywhere within the building were the evidences of a great sorrow4 ,crape was seen wherever the eye turned--surrounding the galleries1 fronting the platform1 encircling the choir4 ,but there was one spot thrown into alto relievo by the sombre drapery of woe4 ,in front of the pulpit1 on a small table1 were the exquisitely beautiful floral tributes of friendship and affection1 whispering of the beauty and glory of that spring-time of the human race1 when this mortal shall have put on immortality4 ,cobourg and ,victoria ,college were well represented2 the ,rev4 ,t4 ,w4 ,jeffery and ,wm4 ,kerr1 ,q4,c41 and others1 being present2 also the following professors and students from ,victoria ,college3--,rev4 ,dr4 ,nelles1 ,prof4 ,burwash1 ,prof4 ,reynard1 ,prof4 ,bain1 ,mr4 ,mc,henry 7,collegiate ,institute71 and ,dr4 ,jones4 ,the students from the ,college--one from each class--were ,messrs4 ,stacey1 ,horning1 ,eldridge1 ,brewster1 and ,crews4 ,the ,senate of ,victoria ,university walked in a body immediately after the carriages containing the mourners4 ,upon entering the west aisle of the church1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,potts commenced reading the burial service1 the vast audience standing4 ,the pall-bearers having deposited their charge in front of the pulpit1 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,cochran gave out the #gccrd hymn1 ,come1 let us join our friends above1 ,who have obtained the prize4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,rose offered prayer1 after which ,rev4 ,wm4 ,scott1 of ,montreal ,conference1 read a portion of the #ast ,cor4 xv41 commencing at the #bjth verse4 ,the choir of fifty voices1 led by the organist1 ,mr4 ,torrington1 sang an anthem-- ,brother1 thou art gone before us ,rev4 ,mr4 ,telfer1 from ,england1 gave out the #dbnd hymn1 which was fervently sung by the congregation4 ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,potts then delivered the following funeral address3-- ,my place of choice on this deeply sorrowful occasion would be in the ranks of the mourners1 for ,i feel like a son bereft of his father4 ,gladly would ,i sit at the feet of aged ministers before me1 and listen to them speak of one they knew and loved so well4 ,i venture to address a few words to you1 in fulfilment of the dying request of my reverend and honoured father in the ,gospel4 ,regarding the well-known wishes of the departed1 my words must be few and simple4 ,to-day1 ,methodism1 in her laity and ministry mourns over the death of her most illustrious minister and ,church leader4 ,to-day1 many in this house1 and far beyond ,toronto1 lament the loss of an ardent and true friend4 ,to-day1 ,canada mourns the decease of one of her noblest sons4 ,this is not the time nor the place for mere eulogy2 in the presence of death and of ,god eulogy is unbecoming4 ,we would glorify ,god in the character and in the endowments of his servant and child4 ,we cannot1 we should not1 forget the greatness of the departed4 ,his was a many-sided greatness4 ,dr4 ,ryerson would have been great in any walk in life4 ,in law he would have been a ,chief ,justice4 ,in statesmanship he would have been a ,prime ,minister4 ,he was a born leader of his fellows4 ,he was kingly in carriage and in character4 ,the stamp of royal manhood was impressed upon him physically1 mentally1 morally4 ,we cannot forget the distinguished positions occupied so worthily and so long by our departed friend4 ,he lived for his country1 spending and being spent in the educational and moral advancement of the people4 ,as a servant of ,methodism1 he was a missionary to the ,indians of this ,province1 an evangelist to the scattered settlers1 and a pastor in this city long1 long ago4 ,he was ,president of ,victoria ,college1 and never ceased to love and support that institution of learning4 ,for it he solicited money in ,england and in this country1 and to it he gave the intellectual energy of his early manhood1 as well as ranking in the front place as a personal subscriber to its funds4 ,he was the first ,editor of the ,christian ,guardian1 the connexional organ of our branch of ,methodism4 ,as a servant of ,canada1 he was for over thirty years ,chief ,superintendent of ,education in this ,province4 ,his monument--more enduring than brass--is the ,public ,school system of ,ontario4 ,when the history of this country comes to be written1 the name1 the imperishable name of ,egerton ,ryerson shall shine in radiant lustre as one of the greatest men produced in this land4 ,but it is not of these things ,dr4 ,ryerson would have me speak if he could direct my thoughts to-day4 ,rather would have me speak of him as a sinner saved by grace1 as a disciple of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,i knew him well in his religious life4 ,his experience was marked by scriptural simplicity1 and his conversation was eminently spiritual4 ,of all the ministers of my acquaintance1 none spoke with me so freely and so frequently on purely religious subjects as the venerable ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,he gloried in the cross of ,christ4 ,he never wearied speaking of the precious blood of the ,lamb4 ,he was one of the most helpful and sympathetic hearers in the ,metropolitan ,church congregation4 ,rarely1 in my almost six years' pastorate1 did he leave the church without entering the vestry and saying a kindly1 encouraging word4 ,the doctor belonged to a class of men rapidly passing away4 ,most of his companions passed on before him4 ,but few linger behind4 ,grand men they were in ,church and ,state4 ,canada owes them a debt of gratitude that she can hardly ever pay4 ,let us revere the memory of those gone to their rest and reward1 and let us treat with loving reverence the few pioneers who still linger to bless the land for which they have done so much4 ,we may have a higher average in these times1 but we lack the heroic men who stood out so conspicuously in the early history of ,canada4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was a ,methodist1 but not a narrow sectarian4 ,he knew the struggles of our ,church in this country1 and shared them2 he witnessed1 with gratitude to ,god1 the extension of ,methodism from feeble beginnings to its present influential position4 ,he desired above all things that our ,church should retain the primitive simplicity of the olden time1 and yet march abreast of the age in the elements of a ,christian civilization4 ,at the first ,general ,conference which met in this church1 after the ,union1 and after that eminently providential event1 the introduction of laymen into the highest ,court of the ,church--at that time1 when the representatives of both ministry and membership desired a man to preside over the ,methodist ,church of ,canada1 to whom did they look8 ,to the man whom ,methodism delighted to honour--,egerton ,ryerson4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was regarded by the congregation belonging to this church with peculiar respect and affection4 ,while he belonged to all ,canada1 we1 of the ,metropolitan ,church1 claimed him as our own especial possession4 ,he was a trustee of the ,church1 and one of its most liberal supporters2 for its prosperity he ever prayed1 and in its success he ever rejoiced4 ,it is hard to realize that we shall no longer see that venerable form--that genial and intellectual countenance4 ,the life of ,dr4 ,ryerson was long1 whether you measure it by years or by service--service to his ,god1 to his fellow-men1 and to his native land4 ,he was a shock of corn ripe for the heavenly garner4 ,he was an heir1 having reached his majority1 and made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light1 has gone to take possession of it4 ,he was a pilgrim1 who after a lengthened pilgrimage has reached home4 ,he was a ,christian1 who with ,paul could say1 ,for me to live is ,christ1 to die is gain4 ,in such an hour as this1 what comfort could all the honours of man give to the sorrowing family as compared with the thought that the one they loved so dearly was a man in ,christ and is now a glorified spirit before the throne4 ,henceforth we must think of him and speak of him as the late ,dr4 ,ryerson1 and to many of us this shall be difficult and painful4 ,we have been so accustomed to see and hear him1 we have so long looked up to him as one specially gifted to lead1 that a sad feeling comes over us1 left as we are without the guidance of our beloved leader and father in the ,church4 ,the memory of the just is blessed1 and our memory of ,dr4 ,ryerson shall be precious1 until we overtake him in the better country1 that is the heavenly4 ,until then let us not be slothful1 but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises4 ,could he speak to us to-day from the heights of the heavenly glory to which he has just been admitted1 he would say to this vast concourse of friends1 ,follow ,christ2 seek first the kingdom of ,god2 serve your generation2 build up in your ,dominion a nationality based on righteousness and truth2 be strict in your judgment upon yourselves1 but be charitable in your judgment of others2 live that your end may be peace1 and your immortality eternal blessedness4 ,dr4 ,potts concluded by reading the following extract from a letter written by ,dr4 ,ormiston1 of ,new ,york1 to ,dr4 ,hodgins3-- ,dear ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,i mourn thee as a son for a father4 ,thou wert very dear to me4 ,i owe thee much4 ,i loved as ,i esteemed thee4 ,i have no one left now to fill thy place in my heart and life4 ,through riches of ,divine grace ,i hope soon to meet thee again4 ,my dear ,brother ,hodgins--,you and ,i knew our noble-hearted friend better than most1 and to know him was to love him4 ,you have been longer and more intimately associated with him in social life and earnest work than ,i was4 ,but ,i scarcely think that even you loved him more1 and ,i feel as if ,i was hardly even second to you in his regards4 ,let our tears fall together to-day1 and in each of our hearts let his memory live ever fresh and fondly cherished4 ,hymn #fbd1 ,rock of ,ages1 cleft for me1 was then sung1 after which prayer was offered and the benediction was pronounced by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,g4 ,laird1 ,president of the ,toronto ,conference4 ,a musical voluntary and the ,dead ,march concluded the impressive service4 ,the remains were then borne to ,mount ,pleasant ,cemetery1 where they were afterwards interred4#aej ,the concluding portion of the burial service was read by the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,nelles4 ,on the following ,sunday the funeral sermon was preached by ,rev4 ,dr4 ,nelles4 ,the ,guardian said3-- ,the discourse of ,dr4 ,nelles was a masterly and eloquent review of the salient points in ,dr4 ,ryerson's life and character4 ,we have rarely listened to a sermon with greater satisfaction1 and never to a funeral sermon so discriminating in its statements and characterization4 ,it was distinguished by a broad mental grasp of the great lessons and facts of history1 in the light of which all personal and local events must be viewed1 to be seen truly and impartially4 ,his appreciative recognition of the privileges of religious equality which we possess in ,canada1 and of the prominent part taken by ,dr4 ,ryerson in obtaining them1 was very suggestive and felicitous4 ,we rarely follow to the grave so eminent a man as ,dr4 ,ryerson2 and we seldom have heard a discourse so fully equal to a great occasion4 ,tributes to ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,memory4 ,after ,dr4 ,ryerson's death kind telegrams and letters of condolence were received by the family from many sympathizing friends1 among which was one from the ,marquis of ,lorne1 ,governor-,general4 ,the following letter was also received by ,mrs4 ,ryerson from the ,rev4 ,william ,arthur1 ,m4,a41 dated ,london1 ,england1 ,april #ajth1 #ahhb3-- ,the news of your great bereavement1 a bereavement which1 though yours in a special sense1 is not yours alone1 but is felt by multitudes as their own1 came at a moment when a return of an old affection of the eyes made writing difficult1 and ,i did not like to give you a mere line4 ,from my heart ,i do condole with you on the removal from your side of one who was pleasant to look upon1 even for strangers1 and whose presence was not only a natural delight1 but a stay1 and an honour4 ,not many women are called to sustain the loss of such a husband4 ,but on the other hand1 not many women in the day of their great loss have the legacy left to them of such a memory1 such a career1 and such appreciation of whole communities of the merits of that career4 ,very few have such a combination of true religious consolation1 of full hope and unclouded faith1 with the sense of comfort derived from general sympathy and universal public respect4 ,dr4 ,ryerson was the servant of ,god1 and the ,lord blessed him4 ,he was the servant of the ,church1 and the ,church loved and revered him4 ,he was the servant of his country1 and his country delighted to honour him1 and will hold him in permanent and honourable remembrance4 ,to many friends on this side of the ,atlantic1 as well as on his own1 he was a rarely honoured and prized representative of long and noble services to the cause of ,god1 and to general society1 services rendered with commanding abilities and unflinching vigour4 ,to you and to the children the loss is far different to what it is to others4 ,to you and to them have the hearts of others turned with unaffected sympathy4 ,you have had many praying for you2 many hoping that blessings will rest upon the name of ,ryerson1 and that it will long be represented in every ,christian work1 and every branch of public usefulness4 ,with truly affectionate regards1 and condolences to ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,charles1 believe me1 dear ,mrs4 ,ryerson1 yours with heartfelt sympathy1 ,wm4 ,arthur4 ,the ,lord ,bishop of ,manchester1 who was in ,canada as one of the ,royal ,commissioners on ,education1 in concluding his report on our ,canadian ,schools1 said3 ,such1 in all its main features1 is the school system of ,upper ,canada4 ,a system not perfect1 but yet far in advance1 as a system of national education1 of anything we can show at home4 ,it is indeed very remarkable to me that in a country1 occupied in the greater part of its area by a sparse and anything but wealthy population1 whose predominant characteristic is as far as possible removed from the spirit of enterprise1 an educational system so complete in its theory and so capable of adaptation in practice should have been originally organized1 and have maintained in what1 with all allowances1 must still be called successful operation for so long a period as twenty-five years4 ,it shows what can be accomplished by the energy1 determination1 and devotion of a single earnest man4 ,what national education in ,england owes to ,sir ,j4 ,k4 ,shuttleworth1 what education in ,new ,england owes to ,horace ,mann1 that debt education in ,canada owes to ,egerton ,ryerson4 ,he has been the object of bitter abuse1 of not a little misrepresentation2 but he has not swerved from his policy or from his fixed ideas4 ,through evil report and good report he has found others to support him in the resolution1 that free education shall be placed within the reach of every ,canadian parent for every ,canadian child4 ,in a letter addressed to ,dr4 ,ryerson in #ahge1 the ,bishop says3--,i take it very kindly in you that you remember an old acquaintance1 and ,i have read with interest your last report4 ,i am glad to observe progress in the old lines almost everywhere4 ,i was flattered also to find that some words of mine1 written in #ahfe1 are thought worthy of being quoted4444 ,it is pleasant to find a public servant now in the thirty-second year of his incumbency1 still so hopeful and so vigorous4 ,few men have lived a more useful or active life than you1 and your highest reward must be to look back upon what you have been permitted to achieve4 ,the ,very ,reverend ,dean ,grasett1 in a letter to ,dr4 ,hodgins1 dated #ith ,november1 #ahge1 said3 ,i thank you very much for your kindness in presenting me with a complete set of the ,journal of ,education from the date of its commencement in #ahdh to the present time4 ,you could not have given me a token of parting remembrance more acceptable to me on various accounts2 but chiefly shall ,i value it as a memorial of the confidence and kindness ,i have so invariably experienced from the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson from the day ,i first took my seat with him at a ,council ,board in #ahdf to the time that ,i was released from further attendance there this year4 ,similar acknowledgments ,i owe to yourself1 his coadjutor1 in the great work of his life1 and the editor of the record of his labours1 contained in these volumes4 ,i shall carry with me to the end of life the liveliest feelings of respect for the public character and regard for the private worth of one who has rendered to his country services which entitle him to her lasting gratitude4 ,my venerable friend has had from time to time many cheering recognitions of his valuable public services from the ,heads of our ,government1 who were capable of appreciating them1 as well as from other quarters2 but ,i think that in his case1 as in others that are familiar to us1 it must be left to future generations adequately to appreciate their value when they shall be reaping the full benefit of them4 ,i esteem it an honour that ,i should have been associated with him in his ,council for so many years 7#cj71 and a privilege if ,i have been of the least assistance in upholding his hands in performing a work1 the credit of which is exclusively his own4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,withrow1 in his ,memorials of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 7,canadian ,methodist ,magazine1 ,april1 #ahhb17 said3 ,no man ever passed away from among us in ,canada whose true greatness was so universally recognized as that of ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,he lived in the hearts of his countrymen1 and ,read his history in a nation's eyes4 ,even envy and detraction could not lessen his grandeur nor tarnish the lustre of his name4444 ,scarce an organ of public opinion in the country1 no matter what party or what interest it represented1 has not laid its wreath of praise on the tomb of this great ,canadian4 ,and far beyond his own country his character was revered and his loss deplored4444 ,from the ,roman ,catholic ,archbishop2 from the ,anglican ,bishop1 from many members of the ,church of ,england and other religious bodies1 as well as of his own ,church2 resolutions of the ,board of the ,bible ,society1 the ,tract ,society1 ,school ,boards and ,conventions1 and ,collegiate ,institutes1 all bore witness to the fact that the sorrow for his death was not confined to any party or denominational lines1 but was keenly felt in other churches as well as in that of which he was the most distinguished minister4444 ,almost every ,methodist journal in the ,united ,states has also paid its tribute to his memory4 ,we quote from the ,north ,western ,christian ,advocate1 of ,chicago1 but one such tribute of loving respect3--,we believe that ,canada owes more to him than to any other man1 living or dead4 ,in all his official relations to the public he was true to his ,church4 ,men like ,wellington and ,washington 'save their countries1' but men like ,ryerson make their countries worth saving4 ,the mean little soul flinches when its brethren rise in reputation and power in the ,church4 ,the more exalted soul rejoices when the ,church grows rich in competent workers4 ,the death of such a servant as ,ryerson is a loss to the world greater than when the average president or king passes away4 ,thank ,god1 the great ,ruler lives1 and ,he will continue the line of prophets in modern ,israel6 ,dr4 ,ryerson possessed in a marked degree the faculty of commanding the confidence and winning the friendship of distinguished men of every rank1 of every political party and religious denomination4 ,he possessed the confidence and esteem of every ,governor of ,canada1 from ,lord ,sydenham to the ,marquis of ,lorne4 ,no native ,canadian ever had the entree to such distinguished society in ,great ,britain and in ,europe as he4 ,he had personal relations with several of the leading ,british statesmen4 ,he enjoyed the personal friendship of the ,bishop of ,manchester1 the ,dean of ,westminster1 the ,archbishop of ,canterbury1 and other distinguished divines of the ,anglican and ,dissenting ,churches4 ,he was one of the very few ,methodist preachers who have ever shared the hospitalities of ,lambeth ,palace1 for six hundred years the seat of the ,primates of ,england2 and when ,dean ,stanley passed through ,toronto1 he and ,dean ,grasett called together on ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,when making his educational tour in ,europe4444 ,speaking of his personal worth1 ,dr4 ,withrow says3--,a very good criterion of a man's character is3 ,how does he get on with his colleagues8 ,does the familiarity of daily intercourse1 year after year1 increase or lessen their esteem8 ,few men will bear this test as well as ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,the more one saw of him the more one loved him4 ,those who knew him best loved him most4 ,dr4 ,hodgins1 the ,deputy ,minister of ,education1 for thirty-two years the intimate associate in educational work of ,dr4 ,ryerson1 knowing more fully than any living man the whole scope of his labours1 sharing his anxieties and toils1 tells us that in all those years there never was an hour's interruption of perfect mutual trust and sympathy4 ,no son could have a stronger filial love for an honoured father than had ,dr4 ,hodgins for his late venerated ,chief4 ,it was his privilege to minister to the latest hours of his revered friend1 and it is to him a labour of love to prepare for the press the posthumous story of his life4 ,with all his catholicity of sentiment and charity of spirit1 ,dr4 ,ryerson was a man of strong convictions1 and he always had the courage of his convictions as well4 ,when it came to a question of principle he was as rigid as iron4 ,then he planted himself on the solid ground of what he believed to be right1 and said1 like ,fitz ,james3 ,come one1 come all6 this rock shall fly1 ,from its firm base1 as soon as ,i4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's controversies were for great principles1 not for personal interests4 ,hence no rancour1 no bitterness disturbed his relations with his antagonists4 ,even his old and sturdy foe1 ,bishop ,strachan1 after his controversy was over1 became his personal friend4444 ,such benefactors of his kind and of his country1 as ,dr4 ,ryerson1 deserve to be held in lasting and grateful remembrance4 ,his imperishable monument1 it is true1 is the school system which he devised4 ,to future generations of ,canadian youth the career of ,dr4 ,ryerson shall be an inspiration and encouragement4 ,with early educational advantages far inferior to those which he has brought within the reach of every boy and girl in the land1 what a noble life he lived1 what grand results he achieved6 ,one grand secret of his success was his tireless industry4 ,as a boy he learned to work--to work hard--the best lesson any boy can learn--and he worked to the end of his life4 ,he could not spend an idle hour4 ,the rule of his life was no day without a line1 without something attempted--something done4444 ,over a score of times he crossed the ,atlantic on official duties4 ,he often turned night into day for purposes of work and study2 and on the night before making his famous three-hours' speech on ,university ,administration before the ,committee of the ,legislature in #ahfj1 he spent the whole night long in the study of the documents and papers on the subject--to most men a poor preparation for such a task4 ,but again we remark his moral greatness was his noblest trait--his earnest piety1 his child-like simplicity1 his ,christ-like charity1 his fidelity to duty1 his unfaltering faith4 ,not his intellectual greatness1 not his lofty statesmanship1 not his noble achievements are his truest claim upon our love and veneration--but this-- ,the ,christian is the highest style of man4 ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,dewart1 in the ,christian ,guardian1 of ,february #bbnd1 #ahhb1 says3--,the simple announcement that ,dr4 ,egerton ,ryerson is dead1 will awaken sorrow and regret in many ,canadian homes4444 ,for several years of his early life he faithfully bore all the hardships and privations of the pioneer work of that day1 being for a time missionary to the ,indians of the ,credit ,mission--a circumstance to which he often referred with peculiar satisfaction4 ,his keen and vigorous refutation of the misrepresentations of the ,methodists and other bodies by the then dominant ,church party1 led by the late ,bishop ,strachan1 revealed to his own1 and other ,churches1 his rare gifts as a powerful controversial writer4 ,from that time forward for many years1 his pen was used with powerful effect1 in defence of equal religious rights and privileges for all ,churches4444 ,dr4 ,ryerson was longer and more prominently associated with the interests of ,methodism in ,canada than any other minister of our ,church4 ,his life covers and embraces all but the earliest portion of the history of our ,church in this country4 ,but it is his work as an educationist that has made him most widely known1 and upon which his fame most securely rests4444 ,the office of ,chief ,superintendent of ,education for ,upper ,canada was not a new one2 but the vigorous personality of ,dr4 ,ryerson lifted it into a prominence and importance in public estimation that had never belonged to it before4 ,for thirty-two years he continued to discharge the duties of this high office with a broad intelligence and rare executive ability1 which have for all time stamped his name and influence on the educational system of his country4 ,he was not a mere administrator1 acting under the orders of the ,government of the day4 ,he was the leader of a great educational reform4444 ,changes of ,government made no change in his department4 ,such was the estimate which the ,ontario ,government took of his public services that on his resignation1 in #ahgf1 his full salary was continued till the time of his death1 and after his death the ,legislature made a grant of #aj1jjj to his widow4 ,it is not too much to say that among the gifted men whom ,canada delights to honour1 not one has left a more permanent impression for good on the future of our country than ,egerton ,ryerson4 ,he was large-minded and liberal in his views on all subjects4 ,though strong in his attachment to ,methodism he was no sectarian1 but cherished the most liberal and kindly feeling toward all sincere ,christians4 ,he was an able controvertialist1 and in the heat of conflict dealt heavy blows at his opponents2 but when the battle was over he retained no petty spite toward his late antagonists4 ,his controversial pamphlets are numerous1 and mostly relate to current events with which he was in some way associated4 ,though a man of war1 from his youth engaging in many conflicts1 religious and political1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's last years were eminently tranquil4 ,he had outlived the bitterness of former times1 and in a sincere and honoured old age possessed in a high degree the respect and good feeling of men of all parties4 ,during these later years he produced his most important contributions to literature1 viz41 his ,loyalists of ,america1 and ,chapters on the ,history of ,canadian ,methodism4 ,his ,educational ,reports are also valuable treasuries of facts relating to public education4 ,during all the years of his public life he co-operated heartily with every enterprise of his ,church1 and was always ready to preach at the shortest notice for any of his brethren who required his help4 ,in his later years there was an increasing spirituality and unction observable in his ministrations4 ,though not exempt from the faults and failings of humanity--yet his wide range of information--his broad and statesmanlike views--his intense devotion to a great work--his patriotic interest in all public questions--his wonderful personal energy and force of character--and his long and intimate connection with ,canadian ,methodism--warrant us in saying3 ,he was a man1 take him for all in all1 ,we shall not look upon his like again4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,douglas1 in a letter to the ,guardian1 says3 ,a great man and a prince has fallen in our ,israel6 ,the last of the illustrious three who bore the name of ,ryerson has gone to enrich the heavens4 ,henceforth that honoured name will be enshrined in the history of our land4 ,egerton ,ryerson's patriotic service to the ,state1 in resisting the introduction of feudal distinctions and ecclesiastical monopolies will ensure to him enduring recognition1 as one of ,canada's noblest benefactors4 ,no statues of marble or of bronze need be raised to perpetuate his memory4 ,the academies and schools which his organizing genius brought into existence1 lifting up successive generations to the dignity which education ever confers1 will make that name immortal4 ,for nearly six decades he laid his great powers of intellect and heart on the altar of service for ,canadian ,methodism--winning for her ministry equality before the law1 and for her people a status which allowed no coign of vantage to a favoured class--vindicating her polity and proclaiming her distinctive truth4444 ,now1 when the sepulchre has received him1 will not a grateful ,church arise and give a permanence to his name more lasting than marble1 by the founding of a ,ryerson ,chair of ,philosophy with whatever is required to augment the usefulness of the institution which his great manhood loved1 and for which he toiled with a life-lasting endeavour8 ,would that every minister1 who bows his head in sorrow for a fallen chieftain1 might in every circuit gather the piety1 intelligence1 and financial strength of the ,church together1 and in this supreme hour of the ,church's grief1 decree that before the spring-time shall come with its emerald robe enamelled with flowers1 adorning the resting-place of our honoured dead1 the name of ,egerton ,ryerson will be inwrought with our ,university1 as an abiding inspiration to the student-life that shall throng her halls along the coming years4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,methodist ,ministers of ,toronto1 in a sketch of ,dr4 ,ryerson's life and character1 written by ,rev4 ,w4 ,s4 ,blackstock1 say3 ,to most of us1 from our early childhood1 the name of ,egerton ,ryerson has been a household word1 and we learned to esteem and love him even before we were capable of estimating his character1 or the greatness of the service which he was rendering to his own and coming generations2 and the knowledge of him which we have been permitted to acquire in our riper years1 has only tended to deepen the impressions of him which we received in early days4 ,as the fearless and powerful champion of civil and religious liberty1 and of the equal rights of all classes of his countrymen1 he is associated in our memory with the patriotic and ,christian struggles of a past generation1 which have resulted in securing to our beloved land as large a measure of liberty as is enjoyed by any country under the sun4 ,in respect to the incomparable system of ,public ,instruction1 to the perfecting of which he devoted so many years of his active and laborious life1 and with which his name must ever be associated1 we feel that he has laboured and we have entered into his labours4 ,we can hardly conceive how either our country or our ,church could have been what they are to-day1 but for his fidelity and the work which he accomplished4 ,the lively interest which he took in every patriotic1 ,christian1 and philanthropic movement1 especially those which tended to increase the influence and usefulness of his own ,church--the zeal with which he laboured for them1 and the large-hearted1 generous liberality with which he contributed of his means for their support--awaken our gratitude and thankfulness1 and will be a perpetual inspiration in our efforts to promote those objects which lay so near his heart1 and to further the interests of that cause which he served so well4 ,but standing1 as we are to day1 with bowed heads and stricken hearts1 beside the grave which has just closed upon the mortal remains of our venerable departed brother1 though we would not forget what he had done for us1 we prefer to think of what1 by the grace of ,god1 he was1 than of what by ,god's good ,providence he was permitted to accomplish4 ,we delight to cherish the memory of his penitent and childlike faith in ,christ--the sinner's only ,saviour and hope--and of those graces of the ,holy ,spirit which gave so much beauty and sweetness to his character1 and which were more and more conspicuous in his declining years4 ,though ,dr4 ,ryerson was a man of positive views and devotedly attached to his own ,church1 he was distinguished for his comprehensive charity1 and his genuine appreciation of great and good men from whom he differed widely in opinion4 ,his goodness no less than his greatness will serve to keep his memory fresh among us1 and the recollections of his virtue is to us a powerful incentive to a fuller consecration to the service of ,god4 ,the ,general ,conference at its ,session of #ahhb1 passed the following resolution3-- ,whereas it has pleased ,almighty ,god1 in ,his divine wisdom1 to call from a life of faithful service in the ,church of ,christ on earth to his everlasting reward in heaven our reverend and honoured father in the ,gospel1 the ,rev4 ,egerton ,ryerson1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d41 the first ,president of the ,general ,conference of the ,methodist ,church of ,canada1 this ,general ,conference desires to place upon record its deep feelings of gratitude to ,god for ,his gift to the ,methodist ,church and to the people of this land for so many years of a man so richly endowed with native gifts and so largely adorned with the ,christian graces and its profound sense of the great loss the ,church and country have sustained in his death4 ,as the devoted ,christian missionary and pastor2 as the faithful defender of the rights and liberties of the people of this land against ecclesiastical assumptions and civil disabilities2 as the ,editor for many years of the ,christian ,guardian1 the official organ of our ,church and the first religious journal in ,canada2 as the ,president of the ,university of ,victoria ,college1 the oldest institution of higher learning of ,canadian ,methodism2 as the trusted representative of his ,church in the religious councils of ,methodism in the old world and the new2 as the ,superintendent for over thirty years of the education of his native ,province--a system which he almost created1 and which he developed to a state of proficiency unsurpassed by that of any country in the world2 as the wise counsellor in the union movement which led to the organization of the ,methodist ,church of ,canada2 and as the ,president-,administrator of its highest office during the first quadrennium of its history1 ,dr4 ,ryerson has an imperishable claim upon the love and gratitude especially of his own church1 and also of the entire community4 ,we magnify the grace of ,god as manifested in him2 we revere his memory as that of a true patriot and devoted ,christian2 we rejoice in his labours for the glory of ,god and the welfare of man2 and we deeply sympathize with his bereaved family1 and pray that the consolations of ,god may more and more abound in their souls to the end4 ,,footnotes3 #aej ,this interment took place in ,may4 ,the ceremony was a private one1 attended only by immediate relatives and intimate personal friends4 ,among the former were the venerable doctor's aged eldest brother1 ,rev4 ,george ,ryerson 7#ia years old7 and ,mrs4 ,george ,ryerson2 the bereaved widow1 ,mrs4 ,ryerson1 ,mr4 ,charles ,e4 ,ryerson1 his two sons1 and ,mrs4 ,george ,duggan4 ,among the latter were the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,potts1 ,mrs4 ,potts1 ,dr4 ,hodgins1 and ,mr4 ,h4 ,m4 ,wilkinson 7son of ,rev4 ,h4 ,wilkinson71 of the ,education ,department1 and two or three others4 ,after lowering the coffin into the grave1 the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,potts read a portion of the burial service1 committing the body to the earth in hope of a joyful resurrection at the last day4 ,,the ,,end4 ,,index4 ,,biographical ,,references4 ,aberdeen1 ,earl of1 #afj4 ,adams1 ,rev4 ,a4 ,a41 #acj4 ,adderly1 ,mr41 ,m4,p41 #edj4 ,agnew1 ,sir ,a41 #afc4 ,aikman1 ,john1 #cb1 #cf4 ,aikman1 ,miss ,hannah1 #hf1 #aaa1 #aab4 ,alder1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,robert1 #aji1 #aaj1 #aad1 #aai1 #adc1 #aec1 #aee1 #aeh1 #aff1 #agd1 #bjf1 #bdj1 #bda1 #bdb1 #bdc1 #bga1 #bhj1 #bhe1 #cbj1 #chf1 #cij1 #cia1 #cib1 #cic1 #cid1 #cie1 #cig1 #dja1 #djb1 #djc1 #djd1 #dje4 ,allan1 ,hon4 ,william1 #agj4 ,alley1 ,mr41 #ii4 ,allison1 ,rev4 ,c4 ,r41 #cii4 ,althorp1 ,lord1 #abc4 ,anderson1 ,capt41 #ii4 ,antonelli1 ,cardinal1 #cff1 #cfg4 ,antrobus1 ,colonel1 #daf4 ,arago1 ,m41 #cef1 #ceh4 ,archibald1 ,rev4 ,g41 #gf4 ,armstrong1 ,jas4 ,r41 #abj4 ,armstrong1 ,miss ,mary1 #abj4 ,arthur1 ,rev4 ,wm41 #cfg1 #eef1 #eih4 ,arthur1 ,sir ,george1 #ahc1 #ahh1 #ahi1 #aic1 #bjj1 #bbd1 #bbe1 #bcj1 #bcd1 #bci1 #bdj1 #bda1 #bde1 #bdf1 #bdh1 #bdi1 #bej1 #bea1 #bed1 #bfj1 #bfa1 #bfc1 #bhe1 #cbj4 ,atherton1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #aag4 ,attwood1 ,thos41 ,m4,p41 #abc1 #abi4 ,attwood1 ,rev4 ,j4 ,s41 #aed4 ,asbury1 ,bishop1 #djh4 ,ashburton1 ,lord1 #afj4 ,ashley1 ,lord1 #afc4 ,ashton1 ,michael1 #bgb4 ,atherton1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #djb4 ,aylwin1 ,hon4 ,t4 ,c41 #cjd4 ,bagot1 ,sir ,charles1 #bij1 #cja1 #cjc1 #cjd1 #cjf1 #cab1 #cac1 #cbd1 #cca1 #ccc1 #cdb1 #cde1 #cdg1 #cej1 #chg1 #chi1 #cij1 #cic1 #cid1 #cih1 #djd1 #eej4 ,bain1 ,prof41 #eid4 ,bakewell1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #aag4 ,baldwin1 ,dr4 ,w4 ,w41 #gi1 #aja1 #caj1 #caa4 ,baldwin1 ,hon4 ,augustus1 #agj4 ,baldwin1 ,hon4 ,robert1 #abg1 #ade1 #agj1 #aid1 #bfd1 #bfg1 #bhg1 #bhh1 #cjc1 #cje1 #cjh1 #cji1 #cac1 #cae1 #cag1 #cbh1 #ccb1 #ccc1 #ccf1 #cdd1 #cdf1 #cgj1 #cga1 #daf1 #dag1 #dbd1 #dbe1 #dbf1 #dcc1 #eah1 #ebe1 #ebf1 #eej4 ,bangs1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,nathan1 #cb1 #gh1 #hh1 #ic1 #aae1 #bfi1 #bgg1 #bgh1 #dah1 #egg4 ,baring1 ,thomas1 ,m4,p41 #afj4 ,barker1 ,dr41 #abg1 #aej4 ,bathurst1 ,lord1 #bba1 #ddj1 #dde1 #ddf4 ,beadle1 ,dr41 #cdh4 ,beardsley1 ,colonel1 #ahe4 ,beatty1 ,rev4 ,j41 #ahd1 #bbh4 ,beaumont1 ,rev4 ,dr41 #djb4 ,beecham1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,john1 #aai1 #aei1 #bbh1 #cij1 #ejg4 ,bell1 ,rev4 ,wm41 #aja1 #bab1 #bba4 ,belton1 ,rev4 ,s41 #ij4 ,benson1 ,henry1 #hi4 ,beresford1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #ced4 ,bethune1 ,donald1 #ajb4 ,bethune1 ,bishop ,a4 ,n41 #gg1 #baf1 #bib1 #cdh1 #chj1 #efd1 #efe4 ,betteridge1 ,rev4 ,wm41 ,d4,d41 #ie4 ,bevitt1 ,rev4 ,thomas1 #bgg4 ,bexley1 ,lord1 #aaf4 ,bidwell1 ,hon4 ,m4 ,s41 #fh1 #abg1 #ach1 #ade1 #ahd1 #ahh1 #ahi1 #aij1 #aia1 #aib1 #aic1 #aid1 #aie1 #aif1 #aig1 #aih1 #bca1 #beh1 #bhh1 #cjh1 #cji1 #caj1 #cbh1 #dad1 #daf1 #dag1 #dah1 #eea1 #efg1 #efh4 ,black1 ,rev4 ,john1 #agf1 #dih4 ,blackstock1 ,rev4 ,w4 ,s41 #fje4 ,blainville1 ,m4 de1 #ceh4 ,blake1 ,hon4 ,chancellor1 #dah4 ,bland1 ,rev4 ,a4 ,f41 #eeg4 ,blockman1 ,dr41 #cfc4 ,blomfield1 ,dr4 7,bishop of ,london71 #afj4 ,blusse1 ,mr41 #ced4 ,bond1 ,dr4 ,thomas1 #cif4 ,borland1 ,rev4 ,j41 #eaa1 #eab4 ,bostwick1 ,col4 ,john1 #bd4 ,boswell1 ,g4 ,m41 ,m4,p4,p41 #ahb1 #cdh4 ,boulton1 ,mr41 ,m4,p4,p41 #bbi4 ,bowers1 ,rev4 ,john1 #aeh4 ,bridel1 ,m41 #cei4 ,brock1 ,rev4 ,james1 #bge4 ,brooking1 ,mr41 #afj4 ,brough1 ,rev4 ,c4 ,c41 #ahc4 ,brougham1 ,lord1 #abc1 #cbb4 ,brouse1 ,george1 #hi4 ,brown1 ,hon4 ,george1 #eed1 #eee4 ,brown1 ,hon4 ,james1 #dec4 ,brunskill1 ,mr41 #afa4 ,buchanan1 ,hon4 ,isaac1 #aig1 #bhf1 #cca1 #ccf1 #cdf1 #cdg1 #cej4 ,buller1 ,sir ,charles1 #bgb1 #cjg4 ,bunting1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,jabez1 #aag1 #aai1 #adc1 #aed1 #aeh1 #aei1 #afj1 #afb1 #bbh1 #bdj1 #bgc1 #bgi1 #bhj1 #cij1 #cih1 #dja1 #djb1 #djc1 #dbj1 #ejf1 #ejg4 ,burchel1 ,mr41 #hi4 ,burke1 ,edmund1 #bbj4 ,burnet1 ,bishop1 #cbb4 ,burns1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,r4 ,f41 #eeg4 ,burrows1 ,colonel1 #eag4 ,burwash1 ,prof41 #eid4 ,buxton1 ,mrs41 #afc4 ,calvert1 ,mr41 #edb4 ,cameron1 ,hon4 ,malcolm1 #cgj1 #dbc1 #dbd1 #dbf1 #eji1 #ead4 ,cameron1 ,james ,w41 #gf1 #gg4 ,campbell1 ,rev4 ,prof41 #cha4 ,campbell1 ,sir ,j41 #afe4 ,campbell1 ,john1 ,m4,p4,p41 #ahd1 #aib4 ---- ,sir ,alexander1 #aib1 #eei4 ,canterbury1 ,archbishop of1 #fjb4 ,carlisle1 ,bishop of1 #edb4 ,carlisle1 ,dean of1 #eda1 #edb4 ,carnarvon1 ,lord1 #eci1 #egi4 ,carroll1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,john1 #bad1 #bgj4 ,cartier1 ,sir ,george1 #eei1 #efj1 #efa4 ,cartwright1 ,m4,p4,p41 #bac1 #bbf1 #bbi1 #bde1 #bdf4 ,cartwright1 ,thos41 #acc4 ,case1 ,rev4 ,elder ,wm41 #ef1 #ff1 #fh1 #gd1 #gg1 #gh1 #gi1 #ha1 #hg1 #ia1 #ib1 #ic1 #agf1 #bbh1 #bdc1 #bgj1 #bgd1 #bge1 #bgg1 #cgh1 #che4 ,cassidy1 ,henry1 #adi1aia1 #aif4 ,chalmers1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,thomas1 #bae1 #cfe4 ,chapman1 ,e4 ,h41 #afj1 #afa4 ,chester1 ,bishop of1 #aaf4 ,chichester1 ,lord1 #eda4 ,clarendon1 ,lord1 #dii4 ,cochran1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #eid4 ,colborne1 ,sir ,john1 #ih1 #ajb1 #aah1 #abf1 #acj1 #aee1 #aeh1 #afa1 #agj1 #aga1 #aif1 #bbb1 #bbd1 #bcb1 #bdd1 #bfj1 #bfa1 #bfc1 #bfd1 #chf1 #ebf4 ,coley1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #ehi4 ,collard1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #ic4 ,collins1 ,f41 #abi4 ,cook1 ,emile1 #ega4 ,cork1 ,bishop of1 #eda4 ,counter1 ,john1 #aed4 ,cowley1 ,lord1 #cfj4 ,crane1 ,john1 #gc4 ,cronyn1 ,bishop1 #eag4 ,cubitt1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #aei4 ,cull1 ,mr41 #bhg4 ,cumming1 ,rev4 ,dr41 #ejh4 ,daly1 ,sir ,dominick1 #ccc1 #cdj1 #cea1 #cgf4 ,davidson1 ,alex41 #acc1 #bda4 ---- ,rev4 ,j4 ,o41 #adc1 #age1 #bgd4 ,dawson1 ,dr4 ,j4 ,w41 #dec4 ,dawson1 ,wm41 #afa4 ,delille1 ,m4 ,armand1 #cef1 #ceh4 ,delille1 ,mons4 ,o41 #ceh4 ,densmore1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #chd4 ,despretz1 ,m41 #ceh4 ,derby1 ,earl of1 #cbi1 #ccj1 #dea1 #deb4 ,derbyshire1 ,stewart1 #cjg4 ,dewart1 ,dr4 ,e4 ,h41 #fjb4 ,dixon1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,james1 #djj1 #djb1 #dje1 #djf1 #efb1 #efd4 ,doolittle4 ,rev4 ,mr41 #aai4 ,dorland1 ,mr41 #ech4 ,douglas1 ,rev4 ,dr41 #fje4 ,douse1 ,rev4 ,john1 #bge4 ,doxtadors1 ,mr41 #gh4 ,draper1 ,hon4 ,w4 ,h41 #ej1 #agi1 #aha1 #bbe1 #bbh1 #bbi1 #bca1 #bcg1 #bfa1 #bfd1 #bfg1 #bib1 #cja1 #cjd1 #cje1 #cjf1 #cac1 #caf1 #cbe1 #ccc1 #ccd1 #ccf1 #ccg1 #cci1 #cdb1 #cdd1 #eej1 #eea4 ,dufferin1 ,lord1 #djh1 #dji4 ,dumas1 ,prof4 #cef4 ,duncan1 ,mr4 ,joseph1 #ece4 ,duncan1 ,prof4 ,thomas1 #bae4 ,duncombe1 ,dr4 ,charles1 #afg1 #afh1 #ahh1 #aij4 ,dunjowski1 #cec1 #cfe1 #cff1 #cfg4 ,dunkin1 ,christopher1 #aif1 #aig4 ,dunn1 ,colonel1 #aig4 ,dunn1 ,hon4 ,j4 ,h41 #ade1 #aff1 #agj1 #ahj1 #aha1 #aig1 #aih1 #cbe1 #chg4 ,durbin1 ,dr4 ,j4 ,p41 #aae4 ,durham1 ,lord1 #aif1 #aig1 #bbe1 #bef1 #beg1 #beh1 #bei1 #bfg1 #bgb1 #cab1 #cci1 #eej4 ,edwards1 ,mr4 #aag4 ,egger1 ,m41 #ceh4 ,elgin1 ,lord1 #cgj1 #dje1 #daf1 #dai1 #dbj1 #dea1 #deb1 #ead4 ,ellice1 ,rt4 ,hon4 ,edward1 #aag1 #afj4 ,elliott1 ,judge ,wm41 #eeb4 ,ellis1 ,sir ,henry1 #dai4 ,elmsley1 ,hon4 ,john1 #agj1 #agi4 ,embury1 ,rev4 ,philip1 #bef4 ,emory1 ,bishop1 #chd1 #che4 ,entwistle1 ,rev4 ,joseph1 #aaf1 #bgc4 ,esten1 ,hon4 ,vice-,chancellor1 #dah4 ,evans1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ephraim1 #acc1 #aec1 #aha1 #bcg1 #bgj1 #bge1 #efd4 ,evans1 ,rev4 ,james1 #acj1 #aca1 #acb1 #aec1 #bbh1 #djg1 #djh1 #dji4 ,exeter1 ,bishop of1 #bfc4 ,fallenberg1 ,m4 de1 #cfd4 ,farmer1 ,thomas1 #aei1 #aff1 #bef4 ,farrar1 ,canon1 #bje4 ,fawcett1 ,rev4 ,thomas1 #bge4 ,ferguson1 ,rev4 ,george1 #cdj4 ,ferrier1 ,hon4 ,james1 #dij1 #ecc4 ,fisk1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,wilbur1 ,a4,m41 #hh1 #ij1 #aae1 #afb1 #egg4 ,fitzgibbon1 ,colonel1 #agg4 ,fletcher1 ,silas1 #agh4 ,flint1 ,hon4 ,billa1 #ccf4 ,fox1 ,charles ,james1 #bbj4 ,fuller1 ,bishop 7,archdeacon of ,niagara71 #chj4 ,gage1 ,james1 #gh4 ,gale1 ,rev4 ,a41 #dcb4 ,galt1 ,john1 #bba4 ,gamble1 ,john ,w41 #bfh4 ,gamble1 ,clarke1 ,q4 ,c41 #efg4 ,gasparin1 ,count1 #cef1 #ceh1 #cei1 #cfj4 ,geikie1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,cunningham1 #ahg4 ,gibson1 ,david1 #agh4 ,gilchrist1 ,dr41 #cci4 ,gilkison1 ,jasper ,j41 #eeb4 ,gillespie1 ,a41 ,jun41 #afj4 ,givens1 ,col41 #dd1 #fa1 #fc1 #ge4 ---- ,rev4 ,dr4 ,saltern1 #gg1 #efg4 ,gladstone1 ,rt4 ,hon4 ,w4 ,e41 #afh1 #bgb1 #daj1 #daa1 #dcc1 #deb4 ,glenelg1 ,lord1 #aed1 #aef1 #aeh1 #aei1 #afj1 #afb1 #afe1 #afh1 #afi1 #agj1 #agh1 #ahj1 #ahb1 #ahi1 #aij1 #aif1 #aig1 #aii1 #bbd1 #bbe1 #bbf1 #bbg1 #bbh1 #bcj1 #bce1 #bdh1 #bej #beb1 #bhe1 #dei4 ,goderich1 ,lord1 #aah1 #abf1 #aee1 #aef1 #aie1 #ebf4 ,goodrich1 ,rev4 ,c4 ,b41 #bge4 ,goodson1 ,rev4 ,george1 #eeg4 ,goodwin1 ,dean1 7of ,ely71 #edj4 ,gourley1 ,robt41 #ahe4 ,gowan1 ,ogle ,r41 #cca4 ,graham1 ,dr4 ,james1 #bh4 ,grampier1 ,dr41 #cee1 #cef1 #cfj4 ,grasett1 ,very ,rev4 ,dean1 #bie1 #big1 #fjj1 #fjb4 ,gray1 ,hon4 ,j4 ,h41 #dec4 ,green1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,anson1 #ij1 #aaa1 #abi1 #acd1 #age1 #agf1 #aha1 #bjc1 #baj1 #bbh1 #bgj1 #bgg1 #cad1 #chc1 #dja1 #eja1 #eaa4 ,greenfield1 ,mr4 #gi4 ,greig1 ,william1 #bab4 ,grey1 ,earl1 #abc1 #dje1 #dai1 #dea1 #ded1 #dee1 #def1 #deg1 #eae1 #egh4 ,grey1 ,sir ,george4 #afe1 #afh1 #afi1 #ahi1 #bdf4 ,griffin1 ,smith1 #bi4 ---- ,rev4 ,w4 ,s41 #bi4 ,griffin1 ,rev4 ,wm41 ,jun41 #acj4 ,griffis ,e4 ,c41 #abi1 #bda4 ,grindrod1 ,rev4 ,e41 #abj1 #adc1 #adg1 #afc4 ,gurley1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #bgi4 ,guizot1 ,m41 #cef4 ,hagerman1 ,daniel1 #ahi4 ,hagerman1 ,mr4 ,justice1 #aai1 #aia1 #aib1 #aic1 #aid1 #aif1 #bbc1 #caj1 #eea1 #egj4 ,halkett1 ,capt1 #agg4 ,hall1 ,francis1 #gh1 #ib1 #aae1 #cje1 #dag4 ,hamilton1 ,rev4 ,r4 ,w41 #aaf4 ,hanet1 ,m41 #ceh4 ,hanna1 ,rev4 ,john1 #aeh1 #aei4 ---- ,mrs4 ,john1 #aei4 ,harris1 ,dr4 #gi4 ,harris1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #ajb4 ,harrison1 ,hon4 ,s4 ,b41 #cad1 #cae1 #caf1 #cag1 #cah1 #ccg1 #cch1 #cdd1 #cdg4 ,harrison1 ,mr4 7,a4,d4,c471 #cjh1 #cji1 #caj1 #caa4 ,harvard1 ,rev4 ,w4 ,m41 #aha1 #bjb1 #bjc1 #bjd1 #bbh1 #bcg1 #bdd1 #cif4 ,hawes1 ,sir ,benjamin1 #dai1 #dbj1 #ded1 #def4 ,hay1 ,mr41 #afj4 ,head1 ,sir ,f4 ,b41 #afb1 #aff1 #agj1 #aga1agf1 #agi1 #ahj1 #aha1 #ahb1 #ahc1 #ahi1 #aij1 #aia1 #aib1 #aif1 #aig1 #aih1 #bjj1 #bja1 #bjf1 #bbd1 #bbe1 #bbh1 #bce1 #bdh1 #beb1 #bec1 #beg1 #beh1 #bhh1 #cji1 #caf1 #cbj1 #daf1 #dag4 ,head1 ,sir ,edmund1 #dii4 ,heald1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #ega4 ,healy1 ,rev4 ,e41 #agb1 #agc4 ,hedding1 ,bishop1 #cb1 #dh1 #ij1 #agb1 #agd1 #bfi1 #che1 #egg4 ,henings1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #hh4 ,herkimer1 ,wm41 #ff1 #gb4 ,hess1 ,mr4 ,j41 #gh1 #gi4 ,hetherington1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #abh1 #ada4 ,heyland1 ,rev4 ,rowley1 #dj1 #adh4 ,hickson1 ,mr41 #cci4 ,higginson1 ,secretary1 #cag1 #cah1 #cai1 #cbb1 #cbe1 #cbg1 #cca1 #ccb1 #ccc1 #ccd1 #cce1 #ccf1 #ccg1 #cci1 #cdj1 #cde1 #cdh1 #cdi1 #cej1 #cge1 #cgg4 ,hill1 ,lord1 #aaf4 ,hill1 ,rev4 ,rowland1 #aaf1 #aei4 ,hincks1 ,sir ,francis1 #ahg1 #aij1 #bij1 #cac1 #cbd1 #cbi1 #ccj1 #ccc1 #daf1 #dbd1 #dea4 ,holden1 ,mr41 #ehg4 ,holtby1 ,rev4 ,matthew1 #cjg4 ,hoole1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,elijah1 #cij1 #edd4 ,horne1 ,dr41 #agg4 ,horton1 ,hon4 ,r4 ,w41 #bbb4 ,howard1 ,james ,s41 #aih1 #dad4 ,howard1 ,mr41 #aah4 ,howard1 ,rev4 ,i4 ,b41 #bhg4 ,howe1 ,hon4 ,joseph1 #bdd1 #beh1 #cca4 ,howick1 ,lord1 #aah4 ,hume1 ,joseph1 ,m4 ,p41 #aah1 #abc1 #abf1 #abi1 #acd1 #ace1 #acf1 #ach1 #afg1 #afh1 #afi1 #aga1 #age1 #bbh4 ,hurlburt1 ,rev4 ,thomas1 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#adi1 #aej1 #aea1 #agj4 ,keefer1 ,jacob1 #cdh4 ,kent1 ,duchess of1 #afd4 ,kent1 ,john1 #ig1 #bib1 #bic1 #bid1 #bif1 #big4 ,kenyon1 ,lord1 #afj4 ,kerr1 ,mrs4 ,wm4 7nee ,brant71 #ef4 ,kerr1 ,wm41 #gh1 #eid4 ,lafontaine1 ,hon4 ,l4 ,h41 #cjd1 #cae1 #ccb1 #ccf1 #daf1 #dbe1 #ddd1 #ddf1 #eea4 ,laird1 ,rev4 ,j4 ,g41 #eic1 #eih4 ,lane1 ,william1 #ge4 ,lang1 ,rev4 ,matthew1 #bge4 ,langton1 ,john1 #ecj4 ,lansdowne1 ,marquis of1 #dai1 #dbe1 #eae4 ,law1 ,rev4 ,john1 #bh1 #cb1 #ci4 ---- ,william1 #fb1 #fc4 ,lefroy1 ,general1 #cga4 ,lessey1 ,rev4 ,theophilus1 #aaf4 ,lever1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #dih4 ,lindsay1 ,general1 #efi4 ,lindsey1 ,charles1 #ahe1 #ahf4 ,lindsey1 ,rev4 ,mr41 #hh4 ,lingard1 ,r4 ,w41 #dai4 ,lloyd1 ,jesse1 #agh4 ,longman1 ,mr41 #egh4 ,lord1 ,rev4 ,wm41 #aba1adj1 #adh1 #aea1 #aeb1 #aec1 #afd1 #aff1 #baj1 #cid1 #dja1 #djb4 ,lorne1 ,marquis of1 #eih4 ,lount1 ,samuel1 #agh1 #ahb1 #ahc1 #ahd1 #ahh4 ,luckey1 ,rev4 ,dr41 #hh4 ,lunn1 ,mr4 ,wm41 #aed1 #afi4 ,lynch1 ,archbishop1 #eic4 ,macaulay1 ,lord1 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,sir ,charles1 #eae4 ,wright1 ,rev4 ,david1 #acj1 #aca1 #bbh4 ,yellowhead1 ,chief1 #ge1 #gf4 ,yeomans1 ,rev4 ,d41 #ge4 ,young1 ,rev4 ,e4 ,r41 #djh1 #dji4 ,young1 ,rev4 ,r41 #bgb4 ,,index ,,to ,,subjects4 ,american ,general ,conference of #ahfh1 attendance at1 #eef4 ,bagot1 ,government of ,sir ,charles1 #cjf4 ,bethune1 ,correspondence with ,bishop1 #efd4 ,bible1 ,the1 in ,public ,schools1 #dbc1 #efd4 ,bidwell1 ,defence of1 #ahh et seq4 #cjf1 #daf1 #efg4 ,british ,conference1 ,union with1 #ajg et seq4 #aad1 #aba1 #ada1 #bfi4 ---- ,separation from1 #bfi1 #bgb1 #bgg1 #chc4 ,cartier1 ,sir ,george4 ,correspondence relating to1 #eei4 ,chapel ,property ,cases1 #agb4 ,christian ,guardian1 #ic1 #ajg1 #aji1 #aba1 #aca1 #add1 #agb1 #aii1 #bja1 #bcj1 #bci1 et seq41 #bei1 #bfi1 #bga4 ,christian ,guardian1 ,discussion with1 #dii4 ,church of ,england1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's attitude towards1 #bia4 ,church ,property1 ,right of ,conference to hold1 #cjc4 ,civil ,rights ,controversy1 #ha4 ,class ,meeting ,question1 #dgj1 et seq41 #dia1 et seq41 #dii4 ,clergy ,reserve ,question1 #dg1 #fh1 #ha1 #hc1 et seq41 #ia1 #ie1 et seq4 #aai1 #aee1 #afh1 #agj1 #baf1 #bah1 #bbe1 et seq41 #bcf et seq41 #bdf1 #bej1 et seq41 #bfj et seq41 #bgh1 #bhf1 #cjj1 #cgh1 et seq41 #chg et seq41 #dcc et seq41 #ded et seq4 ,confederation1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,address on1 #edg4 ,connecticut ,university1 #ajf4 ,controversy with ,w4 ,l4 ,mackenzie1 #abd1 #ace1 #ade4 ,controversy with ,rev4 ,w4 ,m4 ,harvard1 #bjb4 ,controversies1 ,newspaper1 #bje1 et seq4 ,council1 ,legislative1 #afh1 #agj4 ,denominational ,colleges ,controversy1 #eah1 et seq4 ,dominion1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,address on the ,new1 #edg4 ,durham1 ,government of ,lord1 #beg1 et seq41 #cab4 ,early ,life1 ,sketch of1 #bc4 ,early ,education1 #bd4 ,education1 ,appointment as ,chief ,superintendent of1 #cdb4 ---- ,retirement from ,office of1 #ccg4 ,educational ,administration1 #ceb1 #cfh1 et seq4 ,educational ,tours1 #ceb1 #cfe1 #cga1 #dai1 #ded1 #ead1 #eci1 #egg4 ,education1 ,dr4 ,ryerson's status in the ,conference while holding ,office of ,chief ,superintendent of1 #dae4 ,england1 ,visits to1 #aae1 et seq41 #aba1 #aeb1 et seq41 #aeh1 #bfi1 #bgb1 #ceb1 #cga1 #dai1 #ded1 #ead1 #eci1 #egg4 ,estimate of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,character and ,labours1 by ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ormiston1 #ag4 ,estimates of ,dr4 ,ryerson's ,character and ,work1 #eie1 #eih1 #fjj1 et seq4 ,family ,compact1 #ade4 ,funeral ,ceremonies1 #eic4 ,grievance ,report1 #aee4 ,hume and ,roebuck ,letters1 #afg4 ,impressions of ,england1 #aba1 #acg4 ,indians1 ,labour among1 #fd1 et seq4 ,infant ,baptism1 #dgj1 et seq41 #dia1 et seq4 ,legion's ,letters1 #cda4 ,loyalists1 ,u4 ,e41 ,history of1 #egg1 #ehe1 #eij4 ,matrimony1 ,right of ,methodist ,ministers to ,celebrate1 #cjc4 ,metcalfe1 ,defence of ,sir ,charles1 #aih1 #cab1 et seq41 #cai1 et seq41 #cbh1 et seq41 #cdi4 ,metcalfe1 ,administration of ,sir ,charles1 #aih1 #cab1 et seq41 #cai1 et seq41 #cbh1 et seq41 #ccg1 et seq41 #cge4 ,methodist ,union1 #ega4 ,metropolitan ,church1 #efb4 ,minister1 ,work as1 #hj1 #hf1 #adi1 #bhb1 #bhg4 ,mission to ,river ,credit ,indians1 page #eh1 et seq4 ,norfolk ,county1 ,visits to1 #ecd4 ,presidency of ,general ,conference1 #ege4 ,rebellion of #ahcg1 #age1 et seq41 #ahb4 ,rectories ,question1 #bah1 #bbe1 et seq41 #bcf1 et seq41 #bde1 #bej1 et seq4 ,red ,river ,expedition1 #eei4 ,religious ,experiences1 #be1 #cj1 #cb1 #db1 #ea-eg1 #hb1 #he4 ,religious ,instruction in ,schools1 #dbc1 #efd4 ,responsible ,government1 #beg1 et seq4 ,roebuck and ,hume ,letters1 #afg4 ,ryanite ,schism1 #hg4 ,school ,act1 #cgj4 ,spencer1 ,controversy with ,rev4 ,mr41 #dii4 ,style1 ,controversial1 #aje4 ,sydenham1 ,administration of ,lord1 #bfj1 #bhd1 #bhf1 #bij1 #cja4 ,thompson1 ,mr4 ,charles ,poulett1 ,government of1 #bfj4 ,union1 ,methodist1 #ega4 ,united ,empire ,loyalists1 ,history of1 #egg1 #ehe1 #eij4 ,university ,controversy1 #eah1 et seq4 ,upper ,canada ,academy1 #aac1 #aeb1 #afa4 et seq41 #afd1 et seq41 #agi1 #cja1 #cje1 #cjg4 ,victoria ,college1 #aac1 #aeb1 #afa1 et seq41 #afd1 et seq41 #agi1 #cja1 #cje1 #cjg4 ,,opinions ,,of ,,the ,,press1 ,,of ,,statesmen ,,and ,,others1 ,,on ,,rev4 ,,dr4 ,,ryerson',s ,,history ,,of ,,the ,,loyalists ,,of ,,america ,,and ,,their ,,times1 ,,from #afbj ,,to #ahaf4 ,from the ,toronto ,daily ,mail1 ,july #gth1 #ahhj4 ,in a lengthened review of more than two columns1 the ,mail says3 ,it is with great pleasure that we introduce and commend to our readers these portly volumes1 which together contain nearly a thousand pages4 ,dr4 ,ryerson deserves well of his country on account of his long and inestimable services to the cause of popular education4 ,he is the still surviving father of our public school system1 and for over thirty years directed its progress with characteristic zeal and activity4 ,but apart from the author's public work1 these volumes--the result of twenty-five years' labour--are exceedingly valuable on their own account4 99 99 99 ,dr4 ,ryerson has performed his task with great thoroughness1 inspired by a deep interest in his subject4 ,the style is easy and flowing2 the facts stated are almost superabundantly established by reference to the authorities2 and wherever it becomes necessary to demonstrate the misrepresentations of ,american writers1 the author's forcible way of putting the subject-matter in dispute is at once clear and cogent4 ,in short1 the narrative is interesting1 whilst the arguments that crop up now and again are pointed and convincing4 ,we had some doubts as to the venerable author's age2 but he leaves no doubt upon the point in a passage relating to the war of #ahab 7,vol4 ,,ii41 p4 #cec74 ,at the outbreak of the war1 amongst the ,norfolk volunteers who went with ,general ,brock to the taking of ,detroit were the elder brother and brother-in-law of the writer of these pages 7he being then ten years of age74 ,dr4 ,ryerson must be consequently seventy-eight1 or thereabouts2 still1 as his father lived to the ripe old age of ninety-four1 the author may have a long lease of life before him4 ,from the ,hamilton ,evening ,times1 ,june #acth1 #ahhj4 ,it has been well said1 that ,dr4 ,ryerson needs no monument to perpetuate his industry1 zeal1 ability1 and aptitude for literary work1 and successful management other than the system of public and high schools of ,ontario1 which he may be said to have created nearly forty years ago1 and nourished until #ahgf1 when he retired from the position of ,chief ,superintendent of ,education4 ,but if he do1 that other monument will be found in his ,history of the ,loyalists of ,america and their ,times4 ,this contribution to native literature is not the work of a day4 ,it is the result of twenty-five years of more or less arduous labour and diligent inquiry4 ,it is therefore all the more valuable and trustworthy4 ,when one carefully examines the tersely-written pages of the two volumes comprising the ,history1 one can1 in a measure1 conceive the pains taken by the venerable author to do justice to his subject4 99 99 99 ,the ,history is a mine of information4 ,it stands alone as a voluminous authority1 and will probably do so for many years4 ,it is admirably written1 thoroughly systematised1 and clear and concise4 ,it is just such a work as should adorn the shelves of every ,canadian library4 ,from the ,hamilton ,spectator1 ,june #aith1 #ahhj4 ,no book issued in ,canada in recent years is more worthy of cordial reception than the one which forms the subject of this notice4 ,with the name of ,u4 ,e4 ,loyalists most ,canadians are familiar1 but with the experience1 the noble deeds1 the unswerving loyalty to king and country1 of those who took part in the events of the early history of ,america1 very many are lamentably ignorant2 or such knowledge as they have has been derived from unfriendly or unreliable sources4 99 99 99 ,the work ,dr4 ,ryerson undertook was no light one4 ,the time was long past when the events treated of took place1 and when the actors in them could be consulted4 ,but though the actors in the stirring scenes of our early history had passed away1 there were authentic documents and records of them left behind1 and these the author has searched out and consulted4 ,the results of his researches appear as a work which must be commended for the vast amount of information it contains1 its accuracy of detail1 and the supplying of a want long felt and often deplored4 99 99 99 ,altogether1 the book is one which should be read throughout the length and breadth of ,canada2 and even across the sea it should1 and doubtless will1 find a place4 ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,ryerson's efforts in the cause of education have borne good fruit2 it is certain that his great literary work will also accomplish high beneficial results4 ,the mechanical part of the book is in every way creditable to the publishers4 ,from the ,evangelical ,churchman1 ,toronto1 ,june #bdth1 #ahhj4 ,this is1 without exception1 the most important and elaborate historical work which has yet issued from the ,canadian press4 ,the incidents of the memorable struggle1 which resulted in the separation of the colonies from the ,empire1 are given in nervous and graphic language1 and shed a flood of light on the contest itself4 ,the subsequent privations and sufferings of the ,united ,empire ,loyalists are most vividly portrayed4 ,their settlement in this and other ,provinces are feelingly and touchingly described4 ,reminiscences1 recollections and experiences of expatriated ,loyalists are also given1 and illustrations of the hardships endured by them are related in the work by many of the living descendants of these ,loyalists4 ,this portion of the history is deeply interesting and instructive1 but space forbids us to enter into it4 ,our readers cannot do better than possess themselves of these entertaining volumes1 which we most cordially commend as a most valuable addition to our colonial historical literature4 ,from the ,toronto ,christian ,guardian1 ,july #adth1 #ahhj4 ,this new book by the venerable ,dr4 ,ryerson is the most important literary work of his life4 ,it fitly crowns a career of unusual intellectual activity with a standard history of the formative period of ,anglo-,american civilization4 ,the range and scope of the work are much wider than most persons would suppose from the announcement4 ,most people looked for a work that would be mainly made up of biographical sketches of the ,u4 ,e4 ,loyalist pioneer in the settlement of ,canada4 ,but ,dr4 ,ryerson goes back to the beginning1 and traces the whole origin and growth of the ,english in ,america1 the relation of the ,colonists to the ,home ,government1 the character and doings of the ,colonial ,governments1 and the political causes which produced dissatisfaction1 and ultimately led to rebellion and independence4 ,the first thing that strikes us in examining this work is the evidence it presents of extensive research1 in the examination of original documents1 and consequently the extent to which it must be a valuable repertory of important historic facts for future historians of ,american civilization4 ,one thing that invests this work with special interest to all ,canadians and ,britons is that nearly all the histories of the ,united ,states1 as well as the popular literature of that country1 glorify the deeds and character of all who took a part in the ,revolutionary war1 on the ,republican side2 but the ,loyalists who could not feel justified in fighting against their ,sovereign and country1 are uniformly painted in the blackest colours1 as if they were cowardly and base wretches who had no redeeming qualities4 ,all that is hateful and mean is suggested by the word ',tory' or ',royalist' in the annals of the ,united ,states4 ,they have never had fair play2 because they were generally painted by those who bitterly hated them4 ,but while the author admits fully the folly and unconstitutional despotism that goaded the colonists into rebellion1 and the patriotic feeling of many on the ,republican side1 no one can read his work without feeling that great injustice has been done to the ,loyalists1 whose wrong acts were generally provoked by the relentless persecution of the other party4 ,in the light of the real facts1 it does not appear criminal or discreditable that they were unwilling to join in open war against the land of their fathers and the ,government to which they owed allegiance4 99 99 99 ,the account of the war of #ahab will possess still greater interest for ,canadians4 ,the part played by the people of ,canada at that time1 in resolutely resisting an unjustifiable invasion1 made by a greatly superior power1 at a time when ,england was contending almost single-handed against the immense forces ,napoleon ,i4 had combined against her2 and the fact that eleven different attacks were repelled without loss of territory1 are achievements of which ,canadians have no need to be ashamed4 ,from the ,montreal ,gazette1 ,june #bfth1 #ahhj4 ,in the course of an elaborate review of three columns of this work1 the editor of the ,montreal ,gazette1 ,june #bfth1 #ahhj1 says3 ,this most important work1 whose approach to completion we had the pleasure some months ago of announcing to our readers1 is now an accomplished fact1 and the people of ,canada will have an opportunity of gratifying their desire for a full and fair history of one of the most interesting and meritorious elements of our population4 ,for the laborious1 and in some respects perilous task of writing such a history1 few1 if any1 of our prominent men of learning could have been so well fitted as ,dr4 ,ryerson4 ,himself the son of a leading ,loyalist1 of a family which had given ,canada many men of earnest thought and strenuous act1 familiar from his childhood with the traditions of those heroic settlers who were mainly the founders of his native ,province1 and having himself had no small share in extending the progress and perpetuating the prosperity of which1 at the cost of their fortunes and the risk of their lives1 they laid the firm basis1 he was indignantly conscious of the many calumnies propagated by hostile pens1 from which1 for nearly a century1 they had suffered almost undefended4 ,not alone1 indeed4 ,happily there were others also who longed to see the story of the ,loyalists written by an impartial and skilful hand4 ,and when those who represent what was best in the public life1 the literature1 the pulpit and the press of the two united ,provinces a quarter of a century ago1 looked around on each other and beyond their own circle for a person to whom they might entrust the performance of so needed a duty1 they unanimously fixed upon the ,superintendent of ,education of ,upper ,canada as that person4 ,thus selected1 and not unmoved1 besides1 by potent inward urgings1 ,dr4 ,ryerson accepted the honourable but difficult charge4 ,then follows an analysis of the principal facts and arguments of the work4 ,from the ,morning ,chronicle1 ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia1 ,august #dth1 #ahhj4 ,this is undoubtedly one of the most notable of recent works from the press of ,canada4 ,it is a work of such interest as to its subject1 and1 we must add1 of such merit as to its execution1 that no proper justice can be done to it in any such review as can be afforded within the limited eligible space of a daily newspaper4 ,from the ,morning ,herald1 ,halifax1 ,n4 ,s41 ,july #bdth and ,august #dth1 #ahhj4 ,the ,herald devotes two articles in review of this work1 commencing with the following words3 ,the author of this work is so well known to the people of this country1 that any publication in which his name appears is a sufficient guarantee of its value1 its accuracy1 and the interesting nature of its contents4 ,no work ever published in ,canada is more worthy of a cordial reception from our people than the ',loyalists of ,america and their ,times1' and none will be read with more intense interest by the descendants of those noble men and women1 'who1 stripped of their rights and property during the war1 99 99 99 were driven from the homes of their birth and of their forefathers1' because of their loyalty to their king1 to seek new homes in the 7then7 wilderness of ,nova ,scotia and ,new ,brunswick4 ,n4,b4--,numerous other notices1 of a similar character to the above1 are said to have appeared in various provincial newspapers4 ,letter from ,sir ,stafford ,northcote4 #gi ,portland ,place1 ,july #bfth1 #ahhj4 ,my ,dear ,sir1 ,i ought long ago to have thanked you for so kindly sending me your work on the ',loyalists1' but ,i have been so busy since it came that ,i have had little time for reading4 ,i have been much interested with it1 and am very much obliged for it4 ,believe me1 yours very faithfully1 7,signed7 ,stafford ,h4 ,northcote4 ,letter from ,lord ,carnarvon4 ,highclere ,castle1 ,newbury1 ,sept4 #ast1 #ahhj4 ,my ,dear ,sir1 ,i have received the ',history of the ,loyalists of ,america' which you have been good enough to send me4 ,i have as yet only been able to turn the pages1 but before long ,i hope to find the leisure to become acquainted with the contents of these two volumes1 of which ,i have seen enough in my rapid glance to be sure that they embrace not only much that is most interesting1 but in a historical point of view very valuable matter4 ,i remain1 my dear ,sir1 yours faithfully1 7,signed7 ,carnarvon4 ,letter from ,alpheus ,todd1 ,esq41 ,librarian of the ,house of ,commons4 ,ottawa1 ,september #afth1 #ahhj4 ,my ,dear ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,i have just returned from a visit to ,england1 much refreshed4 ,i found your two interesting volumes on my desk1 and am very grateful for your kind remembrance of me4 ,i shall prize them highly4 ,we have all reason for congratulation that you have completed this great book1 which is a noble retrospect of the loyalty of our forefathers4 ,i earnestly hope that it may be the means of quickening and strengthening the present generation in this land in the endeavour to render themselves worthy of the noble inheritance that the zeal and devotion of our ancestors obtained for us1 and that it will deepen our attachment to the ,british ,crown and ,imperial connection4 ,always with much respect and regard1 ,your sincere friend1 7,signed7 ,alpheus ,todd4 ,letter from ,his ,excellency the ,marquis of ,lorne4 ,citadel1 ,quebec1 ,june #ajth1 #ahhj4 ,my ,dear ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,i have to-day received your most welcome gift1 and hasten to tell you my gratitude for what was to me a very pleasant surprise--a surprise1 for ,i had not heard that you were engaged in the task you have now completed1 and had ,i heard it1 ,i could not have expected the kindness which has made me the recipient from the author of such a full and extremely interesting history4 ,it should become a household book in ,canada2 and ,i can well imagine the delight it will give to those who are able through the work1 as you have been in its composition1 to trace the actions and live again in sympathy with the thoughts of heroic ancestors4 ,believe me1 with very many thanks1 ,yours very truly1 7,signed7 ,lorne4 ,letter from ,lord ,dufferin4 ,st4 ,petersburg1 ,september #fth1 #ahhj4 ,my ,dear ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,i have just received your two beautiful volumes4 ,i cannot tell you how grateful ,i am to you for your kind thought of me4 ,there is no present ,i value more than that of a book from its author4 ,indeed1 ,i have now a very interesting library composed of volumes given to me at different times by the various distinguished men of the present generation whom ,i have had the happiness to know1 and your work will find an honoured place upon its shelves4 ,you well know how fully ,i understand and appreciate all that you have done for education in ,canada1 and that there are few people in the ,dominion for whom ,i have always entertained a greater regard or respect4 ,believe me1 my dear ,dr4 ,ryerson1 ,yours most sincerely1 7,signed7 ,dufferin4 ,canadian ,methodism3 ,,its ,,epochs ,,and ,,characteristics1 ,,written ,,at ,,the ,,request ,,of ,,the ,,london1 ,,toronto1 ,,and ,,montreal ,,conferences4 ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,,egerton ,,ryerson1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d4 ,this ,volume is elegantly bound in ,extra ,english ,cloth1 with ink and gold stamping1 #abmo4 size1 containing #ddh pages1 ,,with ,,steel ,,portrait1 ,,price 444 #a4be ,this ,volume is not a mere reprint of the ,essays that appeared in the ,magazine from month to month1 but contains a large amount of new matter which has not heretofore appeared4 ,it possesses also1 to the many admirers of its beloved and honoured author1 a melancholy interest1 as being the latest production of that pen which1 during a long and busy life1 was ever wielded in defence of civil and religious liberty4 ,agents wanted to sell this important ,work4 ,address-- ,,william ,,briggs1 ,publisher1 #gh #hj ,king ,st4 ,east1 ,toronto4 ,the ,loyalists of ,america ,,and ,,their ,,times4 ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,,egerton ,,ryerson1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d41 ,chief ,superintendent of ,education for ,upper ,canada from #ahdd to #ahgf4 ,this book is one of national importance4 ,it is the most ample and minute account of the ,u4 ,e4 ,loyalists and their ,times which has hitherto been published4 ,it describes very fully the early ,colonial ,history of ,america1 and traces the important distinction1 often overlooked1 between the ,pilgrim ,fathers and the ,puritan ,fathers in ,new ,england1 who maintained separate ,governments for seventy years4 ,the religious persecutions of the ,quakers and other dissidents from ,puritan creed and civil constitution are reviewed1 and the stern intolerance of the latter is shown4 ,the fortunes of the ,colonies under the ,long ,parliament1 the ,commonwealth1 and the ,restoration1 are carefully traced4 ,the prolonged conflict between ,france and ,england for the possession of the ,continent1 with its battles1 sieges1 and adventurous campaigns is given in detail4 ,the growing estrangement between ,great ,britain and the ,colonies1 and the stormy events of the ,revolutionary ,war1 are recounted4 ,this epoch is very fully discussed from a ,british ,loyalist point of view4 ,the author avows his sympathy with the colonists in their assertion of their rights as ,british subjects1 and avers his belief that but for their revolutionary ,declaration of ,independence they would within a twelvemonth have obtained all that they desired without the shedding of blood1 without the unnatural alliance with ,france1 much less a war of seven years4 ,but the outbreak and conduct of the war are emphatically condemned4 ,no portion of this history will be read with greater interest than that which describes the sufferings1 in maintaining their allegiance to their ,king1 of the ,u4 ,e4 ,loyalist ,founders and ,fathers of ,canada4 ,for the first time1 the full and detailed account of these sufferings is now published4 ,the account of the early development and organization of the ,government of the ,maritime ,provinces and of ,upper ,canada is full and minute4 ,the stirring events of the ,war of #ahab-ae are also given with much copiousness of detail4 ,the grand patriotism of our country1 struggling against tremendous odds1 is amply asserted and illustrated4 ,to this work the venerable author has devoted several of the best years of his life4 ,of ,u4 ,e4 ,loyalist stock himself1 he writes with hearty sympathy with his subject4 ,he has devoted many years to the study of historical and constitutional questions4 ,he has made laborious and extensive research4 ,and he furnishes in these volumes copious documentary evidence of the validity of his assertions and conclusions4 ,it is beautifully printed on extra calendered paper1 and forms ,,two ,,handsome ,,octavo ,,volumes1 containing #a1jee pages1 with ,steel ,portrait of the ,author4 ,strongly bound ,,in ,,extra ,,english ,,cloth1 #e #jj ,,in ,,half ,,morocco1 #g #jj ,,agents ,,wanted4 ,address for particulars1 ,,william ,,briggs1 ,publisher1 #gh #hj ,,king ,,street ,,east1 ,,toronto4