Chapter X

1833

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 reluctance. I determined in the course of the year, from various circumstances, to abandon it; but was persuaded by letters from Rev. Robert Alder, the London Missionary Secretary (one of which is given on page 110), and the advice of my brother John, to resume it.

The account of my voyage and proceedings in England are given in the following extracts from my journals:--

_March 4th, 1833._--This morning at 6 a.m. I left York _via_
Cobourg, Kingston, and New York, on my first important mission to
England, an undertaking for which I feel myself utterly
incompetent; and in prosecution of which I rely wholly on the
guidance of heavenly wisdom, imploring the special blessing of the
Most High.

_Kingston, March 11th._--I find that considerable excitement, and
in some instances, strong dissatisfaction, exists on the question
of Union, by misrepresentation of the proceedings and intentions of
our Conference respecting it. Full explanations have in every
instance restored confidence, and acquiescence. A correction of
these misrepresentations, and the reply of the Wesleyan Missionary
Committee to the proposals of our Conference have given universal
satisfaction, and elicited a general and strong desire for the
accomplishment of this all-important measure. My interviews with my
brothers (William and John) have been interesting and profitable to
me.

_Watertown, N.Y., March 12._--Came from Kingston here to-day,
twenty-eight miles. This Black River country is very level, and
appears to be fertile, but the people generally do not seem to be
thriving.

_Utica, March 13th._--This is a flourishing town of about 10,000
inhabitants, beautifully situated on the south side of the Mohawk
river. I travelled through a settlement and village called Renson,
consisting principally of Welsh, where the Welsh language is
universally spoken; there is a _Whitefield_ Methodist chapel, but I
was told they retained more of the name, than of the genuine spirit
of their founder. "Because of swearing the land mourneth."

_Hartford, March 16th._--The southern part of Massachusetts and the
northern part of this State, are mountainous and rocky and barren.
The inhabitants are supported by manufactures, grazing and dairies.
They appear to be rather poor but intelligent. In my conversation
to-day with a professed infidel I felt sensibly the importance of
being skilled in wielding any weapon with which theology, history,
science, so abundantly furnishes the believer in the Christian
revelation; and never before did I see and feel the lofty
superiority of the foundation on which natural and revealed truth
is established, over the cob-web and ill-shaped edifice of
infidelity.

_Hartford, March 17th._--I have attended service three times
to-day, and preached twice. Religion seems to be at a low ebb. Yet
I have not heard religion spoken of, or any body of religious
people referred to, in any other way than that of respect.

_New York, March 20th._--I am now about to embark for England, the
reason of my long journey from Canada to New York is the slow
travel by stage, before any railroads, and the Hudson river not
navigable so early.

_New York, March 21st._--[Just on the eve of sailing for England, Dr. Ryerson wrote from New York to his brother John, at Hallowell. He said:--

I stayed with the Rev. Dr. Fisk all night and part of two days. I was much gratified and benefited, and have received from him many valuable suggestions respecting my mission to England and agency for the Upper Canada Academy. He was unreserved in his communications, and is in favour of my Mission, as were Brother Waugh, Drs. Bangs, Durbin[38] and others. They all seem to approve fully of the proceedings of our Conference in the affair.--H.]

_New York, March 22nd._--[On the day on which Dr. Ryerson sailed for England, Mr. Francis Hall, of the New York _Commercial Advertiser_, sent him a note in which he said:--

I have just received from a friend in Montreal the following
information which I wish you would give to the Rev. Richard Reece,
of London:--The Lord has blessed us abundantly in Montreal. Upwards
of four hundred conversions have taken place in our chapel since
last summer. It is now necessary for us to have a chapel in the St.
Lawrence suburbs, and another in the Quebec suburbs immediately.
This (said Mr. Hall) for those who know Montreal, is great news
indeed. It is equal to an increase of as many thousands in the city
of New York; the whole population being only a little more than
thirty thousand, a great portion of which are Roman Catholics.--H.]

Dr. Ryerson's journal then proceeds:--

_At Sea, April 10th._--On the 22nd ult., I embarked on the sailing
ship "York," Capt. Uree, New York. I was sick for fourteen days,
ate nothing, thought little, and enjoyed nothing. Feeling better, I
was able to read a little.

_April 12th._--After twenty days' sail we landed at Portsmouth.
Thanks be to the God of heaven, earth, and sea for His protection,
blessing, and prosperity! I was greatly struck with the extensive
fortifications, and vast dockyards, together with the wonderful
machinery in this place; such indications of national wealth, and
specimens of human genius and industry.

_April 13th._--This morning I arrived in London, and was cordially
received by the Secretary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and
kindly invited to take up my lodgings at the Mission House.

_April 14th--Sabbath._--Heard the Rev. G. Marsden preach. In the
afternoon this holy man addressed about four hundred Sunday-school
children, after which I spoke a few words to them. We then attended
a prayer-meeting, where many found peace with God. In the evening I
heard the Rev. Theophilus Lessey preach a superior sermon, and I
felt blessed.

_April 16th._--This evening I preached my first sermon in England,
in City Road Chapel, from John iii. 8. This is called Mr. Wesley's
Chapel, having been built by him, and left under peculiar
regulations. Alongside is Mr. Wesley's dwelling-house, and in the
rear of it rest his bones, also those of Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke and
Rev. Richard Watson; three of the greatest men the world ever saw.
In the front of this chapel, on the opposite side of the street,
are the celebrated Bunhill Field's burying ground, among whose
memorable dead rests the dust of the venerable Isaac Watts, John
Wesley's mother, John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe, etc.

_April 21st--Sunday._--To-day I went to hear the celebrated Edward
Irving. His preaching, for the most part, I considered commonplace;
his manner, eccentric; his pretensions to revelations, authority,
and prophetic indications, overweening. I was disappointed in his
talents, and surprised at the apparent want of feeling manifested
throughout his whole discourse.

_April 20th._--This morning I attended the funeral of the great and
eminently pious Rev. Rowland Hill, who died in the 89th year of his
age. Lord Hill, his nephew, was chief mourner. There was a large
attendance of ministers of all denominations, and a great concourse
of people. Rev. Wm. Jay, of Bath, preached an admirable sermon from
Zech. ii. 2. "Howl fir tree, for the cedar hath fallen." The
venerable remains were interred beneath the pulpit.

_April 26th._--To-day I heard Rev. Richard Winter Hamilton, of
Leeds, an Independent, preach a missionary sermon for the Wesleyan
Society. His text was Col. i. 16. It was the most splendid sermon I
ever heard.

_April 28th._--Heard the Rev. Robert Newton in the morning. In the
afternoon I preached a missionary sermon in Westminster Chapel, and
in the evening another at Chelsea.

_April 29th._--This day was held the Annual Meeting of the Wesleyan
Missionary Society, in Exeter Hall, Lord Morpeth in the chair. He
is a young man, serious and dignified in his manners. The speeches
generally were able and to the point. Collection was £231.

_May 1st._--The Annual Meeting of the British and Foreign Bible
Society was held in Exeter Hall. Lord Bexley presided. The Bishops
of Winchester and Chester, brothers, addressed the meeting. They
are eloquent speakers, but the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel was the
speaker of the day.

_May 3rd._--This morning I attended the Annual Breakfast Meeting of
the preachers' children, at the City Road Morning Chapel; nearly
200 preachers and their families were present. Rev. Joseph
Entwistle spoke, as did Mr. James Wood, of Bristol, myself and one
or two others.

_May 5th., Exeter._--Left London at 5 a.m. and arrived here at 10
p.m., within a minute of the time specified by the coachman. We
passed over the scene of that inimitable tract, "The Shepherd of
Salisbury Plain." We were shown the tree under which the shepherd
was sheltered.

_May 6th._--Rev. Wm. Naylor preached this morning in Exeter, and I
preached in the evening.

_Taunton, May 7th._--At a Missionary Tea Meeting to-day, deep
interest was excited in the cause of the British North American
Missions. Taunton is a very ancient town. It existed in the time of
the Romans. It was in this town that King Ina held the first
Legislative Assembly or Parliament ever held in Britain. It
consisted of ecclesiastics and noblemen and enacted certain laws
for the better government of the Heptarchy. It was near this town
King Alfred concealed himself, and was discovered in the capacity
of a cook. Here also stands the Church of St. Mary, a most splendid
and ancient gothic building, where that venerable and holy man of
God, Joseph Alleine, author of the "Alarm to the Unconverted,"
preached.

In a letter to a friend in Upper Canada, Dr. Ryerson at this date writes:--

_Nottingham, May 29th._--I this morning called upon Mrs. Watson,
mother of the late distinguished Richard Watson. She is nearly
eighty years of age, and in rather humble circumstances. She is in
the possession of a naturally strong and unimpaired intellect, and
has apparently not the least vanity on account of the unrivalled
talents, high attainments, and great popularity of her son. In
conversation she stated the following particulars: That her husband
was a saddler, that he formerly lived and followed his business in
Boston-on-the-Humber in Lincolnshire, where Richard was born; that
her husband was the only Methodist in the town, and was the means
of introducing Methodism into that town; that his business was
taken from him, and he was obliged to leave and remove to another
place on account of it; that Richard was very weakly, and so poorly
that she carried him when a child on a pillow in her arms; that
when he began to talk and run about he was unusually stupid and
sleepy, would drop asleep anywhere; that he was very tall of his
age, and made such advancement in learning, that he read the Latin
Testament at five years of age, and had read a considerable part of
it before his parents knew that he had been put to the study of
Latin; the clergyman, his tutor, thought him older, from his size
and mind, or, as he said, he would not have put him to Latin so
young; that Richard had a very great taste for reading; when he was
a very small boy, he read the History of England (when not eight
years of age), and recollected and related with the utmost
correctness all its leading facts; that he would frequently remain
at school after school hours, doing difficult questions in
arithmetic for older boys; that he was bound out, according to his
request, to the trade of a house-joiner; that he was most diligent
and faithful at his work, and made such rapid advancement in
learning the trade, that at the end of two years, his master told
his father that he had already learned as much as he could teach
him, and that he was willing to give him up if he desired--the best
hand in his shop; that Richard began to go out and exhort when he
was fourteen years of age, and that he preached when he was
fifteen, and was received on trial by the Conference as a
travelling preacher about a month after he was sixteen; that he was
frequently pelted with eggs, and even trodden under foot; that his
own uncle on one occasion encouraged it, saying, "My kinsman does
it pretty well, give him a few more eggs, lad" (addressing one of
the mob), and that Richard came home frequently with his clothes
completely besmeared with eggs and dirt.

I attended the Wesleyan Missionary meeting here and spoke at it.
The meeting was highly interesting. It was addressed by Rev. Mr.
Edwards, (Baptist) and by the Messrs. Bunting, Atherton, and
Bakewell. In this town the noted Kilham made his first Methodist
division, and here suddenly ended his life. Here Bramwell got the
ground for a chapel in answer to prayer. Near the town runs the
River Trent. From Nottingham I went fourteen miles to Mansfield and
attended a missionary meeting. I was in the house which was the
birth-place of the great Chesterfield, and passed through Mansfield
forest, the scene of Robin Hood's predatory exploits.

In his journal Dr. Ryerson says:--

_London, June 24th._--I had an interview with Rt. Hon. Edward
Ellice, on Canadian affairs; a man of noble spirit, liberal mind,
and benevolent heart. He condemned Dr. Strachan's measures, and
manifested an earnest, desire to promote the welfare of Upper
Canada. I gave him an account of the political and religious
affairs in Upper Canada with which he expressed himself pleased,
and gave me £50 for the Upper Canada Academy.

_June 16th._--This day was dedicated, by Rev. Wm. Ryerson, the new
brick chapel on Newgate (Adelaide) Street, Toronto. (See subsequent
chapter.)

_June 24th._--Writing to-day to a valued friend in Upper Canada in regard to his mission in London, Dr. Ryerson told him that he had no doubt of its advantageous results in promoting harmony and peace. He then said:--

I apprehend that Mr. Stanley's appointment to the Secretaryship of
the Colonies will not be very beneficial to us. The reason of Lord
Goderich and Lord Howick (Earl Grey's son) retiring from that
office was that they would not bring any other Bill on slavery into
Parliament, but one for its immediate and entire abolition. I
understand that Lords Goderich and Howick are sadly annoyed at Mr.
Stanley's course.

It will only be for the friends of good government to pray for the
re-appointment of Lord Goderich, or insist upon a change in the
Colonial policy towards Upper Canada. This part, however, belongs
to political men. But I am afraid it may have an unfavourable
bearing upon our religious rights and interests.

In Rev. J. Richardson's letter to me, he mentions that the
petitions were sent in the care of Mr. Joseph Hume. He is not the
person to present a petition to His Majesty on religious liberty in
the Colonies, and especially after the part he has taken in
opposing the Bill for emancipating the slaves in the West Indies.
It has incensed the religious part of the nation against him. He is
connected with the West India interest by his wife, and his
abandoning all his principles of liberty in such a heart-stirring
question, destroys confidence in the disinterestedness of his
general conduct, and his sincere regard for the great interests of
religion. I leave London this afternoon for Ireland. My return here
depends upon whether I can do anything in this petition
business.[39]

It is difficult to get a moment for retirement, excepting very
early in the morning, or after twelve at night. It is not the way
for me to live I had, however, a very profitable and good day
yesterday. I preached, and superintended a love-feast in City Road
Chapel last evening. It was a very good one, only the people were a
little bashful in speaking at first, like some of our York friends
who are always so very timid, such as Dr. Morrison, Mr. Howard, and
others.

In his journal Dr. Ryerson says:--

_June 26th._--According to appointment, I called upon the Earl of
Ripon, and was most kindly received. I wished to enquire about the
medal promised by His Majesty, William IV., to Peter Jones, and to
solicit a donation towards our Academy at Cobourg. His Lordship
gave me £5. He expressed his disapprobation of Sir John Colborne's
reply to the Methodist Conference in 1831, (see page 98). He stated
that he was anxious for the Union between the British and Canadian
Conferences, and was gratified at the prospect of its success.[40]
His Lordship stated that, while in the Colonial Department, he had
only received Mr. W. L. Mackenzie as a private individual, and had
done no more than justice to him.

_June 28th._--I called at the Colonial office, and laid before Mr.
Stanley statements and documents relative to the Clergy Reserve
Question. Mr. Stanley was very courteous, but equally cautious. I
stated that the House of Assembly of Upper Canada had nearly every
year since 1825, by very large majorities, decided against the
erection of any Church Establishment in that Province, and in
favour of the appropriation of the Clergy Reserves to the purposes
of General Education; that this might be taken to be the fair and
deliberate sense of the people of Upper Canada; that this question
was distinct from any question or questions of political reform;
that parties and parliaments who differed on other questions of
public policy, agreed nearly unanimously in this. He expressed his
opinion that the Colonial Legislature had a right to legislate on
it, and asked me why our House of Assembly had not done it. I told
him it had, but the Legislative Council had rejected the Bill
passed by the Assembly on the subject.

_July 13th._--In a letter at this date to a friend in Upper Canada, Dr. Ryerson further refers to this and a subsequent interview as follows:--

I have had two interviews with Mr. Secretary Stanley, on the subject of the House of Assembly's Address on the Clergy Reserves, 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 clergy. Mr. Solicitor-General Hagerman has been directed to do the same on behalf of the Episcopal clergy. 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 (Yankees);--that the cause of the great prosperity of Methodism there was the ample support it received from the United States;--that the missionaries in Upper Canada were actually under the United States Conference, and at its disposal. The Colonial Secretary manifested a little surprise also, when I turned to the Journals of the Upper Canada House of Assembly, and produced proof of the reverse, which he pronounced "perfectly conclusive and satisfactory."

_August 8th._--Dr. Ryerson received a touching note at this date from Mrs. Marsden, with explanation of her reluctance to let Rev. Geo. Marsden, her husband, go to Canada as President of the Conference. She says:--

At length my rebellious heart is subdued by reason and by grace. I
am made willing to give up my excellent husband to what is supposed
to be a great work. I am led to hope that, as a new class of
feelings are brought into exercise, perhaps some new graces may be
elicited in my own character, as well as that of my dear husband;
at any rate it is a sacrifice to God, which I trust will be
accepted, and, both in a private and a public view, be overruled
for the glory of God. I am sure, notwithstanding some repeated
attempts to reconcile me to this affair, I must have appeared very
unamiable to you; but the fact was simply this, I could not see you
or converse with you, without so much emotion as quite unnerved me,
therefore I studiously avoided you; but did you know the happiness
which dear Mr. Marsden and I have enjoyed in each other's society
for so many years, you would not be surprised that I should be
unwilling to give up so many months as will be required for this
service; but to God and His Church I bow in submission.

This estimable lady did not long survive. She died in six months--just after her husband had returned from America. In a letter from Rev. E. Grindrod, dated March, 1834, he says, Mrs. Marsden died, after a short illness, on 22nd February. She was one of the most amiable and pious of women. Her lite was a bright pattern of every Christian virtue. Her end was delightfully triumphant.

* * * * *

The following is an extract from Dr. Ryerson's diary of this year:--

After many earnest prayers, mature deliberation, and the advice of
an elder brother, I have decided within the last few months to
enter again into the married state. The lady I have selected, and
who has consented to become my second wife, is one whom I have
every reason to believe possesses all the natural and Christian
excellencies of my late wife. She is the eldest daughter of a pious
and wealthy merchant, Mr. James Rogers Armstrong. For her my late
wife also entertained a very particular esteem and affection, and,
from her good sense, sound judgment, humble piety, and affectionate
disposition, I doubt not but that she will make me a most
interesting and valuable companion, a judicious house-wife, and an
affectionate mother to my two children. Truly I love her with a
pure heart fervently I receive her, and hope ever to treat and
value her as the special token of my Heavenly Father's kindness
after a season of His chastisement. If thou, Lord, see fit to spare
us, may our union promote Thy glory and the salvation of sinners!

Dr. Ryerson's marriage with Miss Mary Armstrong, took place at Toronto, on the 8th of November 1833.

FOOTNOTES:

[38] While in England, Dr. Ryerson received the following note from Rev. Dr. J. P. Durbin, in which he said: After I parted with you at my house, I felt a strong inclination to engage your correspondence for our paper, at least once a week, if possible, for the benefit of our people and country, through the Church. Can you not write us by every packet? Information in regard to English Methodism will be particularly interesting, especially their financial arrangements. Do inquire diligently of them, and write us minutely for the good of our Zion.--H.

[39] In Epochs of Canadian Methodism, Dr. Ryerson says:--When the writer of these Essays was appointed a representative of the Canadian Conference to negotiate a union between the two Conferences in 1833, he carried a Petition to the King, signed by upwards of 20,000 inhabitants, against the Clergy Reserve Monopoly and the Establishment of a Dominant Church in Upper Canada. This petition was presented through Lord Stanley, the Colonial Secretary. Page 221.--H.

[40] Dr. Ryerson has left no record in his "Story" of the negotiations for this Union. His report, however, on the subject will be found on pages 193, 194, Vol. iv. of the _Guardian_ for October 16th, 1833, from which I take the following extracts: On the 5th June, Rev. Messrs. Bunting, Beecham, Alder, and myself, examined the whole question in detail, and prepared an outline of the resolutions to be submitted to the British Conference, and recommended that a grant of £1,000 be appropriated the first year to the promotion of Canadian Missions. On the 2nd August these resolutions were introduced by Rev. John Beecham (Missionary Secretary). They were supported by Rev. Jabez Bunting, Rev. Jas. Wood (now in his 83rd year), and Rev. Robert Newton. A Committee was appointed to consider and report on the whole matter consisting of the President, Secretary, and seven ex-Presidents, the Irish representatives (Messrs. Waugh, Stewart, and Doolittle), and fifteen other ministers. This Committee considered and reported these resolutions, which were adopted and forms the basis of the Articles of Union. Hereafter, the name of our Church will be changed from "The Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada," to "The Wesleyan Methodist Church in British North America."--H.