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CHAPTER VIII.

1820-1821.

ADJUSTMENTS, EXTENSION, NEW SETTLEMENTS.

Second Conference in Canada, 1820-Bishop George-FoesFriends-Stations-Torry's troubles-Col. Ryerson-Long

Point-Ten townships-Early names-Thames-Adams— York-Fitch Reed-500 miles-Population—Churches—Patrick-Carroll-English and Irish-Augusta-Rideau-Ottawa -Lachute-Montreal - Dixon Union-American Presbyterian Church-Transfers-Local preachers-Stations-Let

ters-Steamboats-Lachine-Perth-Soldiers-Bell-Lanark.

FOR the second time the Genesee Conference met on Canadian soil, July, 1820, in the meeting-house erected about 1817 near Lundy's Lane-in striking contrast to the meeting there of Canadians and Americans in the deadly conflict of July 25th, 1814. The memory of that engagement would scarcely seem an auspicious omen for an ecclesiastical assembly composed of representatives from the very parties so recently in hostile array.

But the bonds of Christian brotherhood survived and reasserted their vitality. From both sides of the border line a hundred brethren gathered to enjoy a Conference reunion. One of the delegates-Rev. Edward Paineon his way was drowned in the Susquehanna, and his sudden death cast a gloom over the assembly. The number present, and the outlook, however, formed a cheering contrast to the feeble semblance of a Conference near the same place in 1812. Bishop George, after a long, rough

THE

OLD RED MEETING-HOUSE,' LUNDY'S LANE Here the Genesee Conference met in 1820. Since turned into a barn.

Erected in 1817.

PARSONAGE

THE "RED MEETING-HOUSE Noted as the residence Still standing, and nearly a century old. of three of the Ryerson brothers-William, John and Edwy.

THE CORWIN HOMESTEAD

Built in 1800 by Joseph Corwin, a U. E. Loyalist. In this house before the days of churches the settlers gathered for worship.

"WARNER'S MEETING-HOUSE"

Built about 1835 on the site of the original chapel (the third Methodist church in Upper Canada) two miles west of St. David's.

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ADJUSTMENT AND EXTENSION

ride, arrived and presided. The Rev. William Case was appointed Secretary.

Some of the services were held in a grove at the extremity of Lundy's Lane, and multitudes listened to the Word of life. Of the young men now enlisted for spiritual warfare some had fought at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane. Men kneeled together to receive ministerial orders who had been ranged in hostile ranks along the frontier six years before. At the close of the service they were seen locked in each other's arms.'

Of the men ordained three were Canadian local preachers-Caleb Burdock, Abner Matthews, and Smith Griffin. Four candidates were recommended from Canadian circuits-David C. Spore, from Long Point; Kenneth McK. Smith, William H. Williams and Philander Smith, from Belleville. Of the Canadian itinerants Aurora Seagar had died, John Tuke was located, and Joseph Hickcox and W. Rundle were recalled.

The last four years had been seasons of spiritual harvest. The rear settlements of the Augusta circuit, the Rideau region and the Thames had been specially visited with revivals, while deep interest pervaded the societies in every part of the province.

STATIONS, 1820-WESTERN DISTRICT.

William Case, Presiding Elder.

Mem

bers

Niagara-Isaac Puffer

619

Long Point-John Jackson, Wm. H. Williams
Lyon's Creek-Daniel Shepherdson

Ancaster-Alvin Torry, George Ferguson

Westminster-Isaac B. Smith, Samuel Belton
Thames-Ezra Adams

Detroit

Yonge Street-James G. Peale, Thomas Demorest

397

511

301

209

66

211

2514

York-Fitch Reed

Smith's Creek-Philander Smith
Hallowell-James Wilson, Franklin Metcalf
Belleville-Thomas Madden

Bay Quinte-Robert Jeffers, David C. Spore
Augusta-Timothy Goodwin, Kenneth McK. Smith

St. Lawrence

Cornwall-Elijah Boardman

Rideau-Calvin N. Flint

Ottawa-James Botfield

Montreal-Trueman Dixon

Dunham (N. Y. Conf.)-Ibri Cannon

Stanstead (N. Y. Conf.)-Phineas Crandall

43

203

405

156

722

855 349

113

89

23

2958

The following estimate of ministers in Upper Canada

in 1820 was given by Elder Case:

Methodist

Methodist local preachers, 47; exhorters, 65.

Wesleyan missionaries

English Church

Presbyterians and Congregational

Baptists and Mennonites

Friends

28

112

5

16

15

25

ΙΟ

A portion of the Niagara circuit was taken to form the Lyon's Creek circuit, and this, with other causes, made a considerable reduction. Mr. Torry, of Ancaster circuit, says: After Conference I visited my mother for a few days, then mounted my horse for a three hundred miles' ride, and found a comfortable resting-place at Father Bowman's. Going for my horse in the pasture, I found him dead! Having given my mother half of what I received last year, I had but a few shillings left. My colleague, Bro. Ferguson, a poor man, with a family, had a similar loss soon after. We had an extensive cir

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